The Bakersfield College Performing Arts Department held the first annual Bakersfield College Music Open House on Saturday, March 20. The open house was held to introduce students interested in Bakersfield College’s music programs to the programs’ faculty, as well as give students an idea of what live performance is like at Bakersfield College. The event was hosted by the Music Department Chair and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies, Dr. Jennifer Garrett, and featured various Music Department staff.

The event opened with an introduction and short performance from each faculty member present, starting with professor and Jazz Director Kris Tiner on trumpet and ending with former Department Chair and current music professor John Gerhold, who covered Elton John’s “Rocketman.”

After introductions were a brief video tour of the Edward Simonsen Performing Arts Center, followed by summaries of the different programs in the Music Department: Jazz Studies, Concert Band and Orchestra, Commercial Music, Chamber Singers and Choir, and Marching Arts. Attendants of the open house were then split into groups based on the program they were most interested in and given information about the program along with live music demonstrations and lessons.

“It was so wonderful to be able to see new incoming students but also meet the

instrumental instructors that I hadn’t met as a vocal major,” Thea Tanicala, student and President of the Bakersfield College Chamber Singers, said about the event. “There was so much talent and every new music student is in good hands! There was a lot of really useful information about each of the programs we offer and the many ensembles that many students can join. I learned a lot about the Music Program and the Performing Arts Center. I’m really glad they had an Open House that allows an in-depth view of what it’s going to be like as a music major.”