Something I love most about Stevens is the ability to find any kind of community everywhere you turn. This campus reminds me of the movies when the narrator walks the audience through each group and the silly name that is associated with them, as the camera soars through the crowds. “Over here are the jocks and to the right are the artsy kids” etc. At Stevens, the music scene in particular has evolved and morphed into an inclusive and artistically experimental community.
Throughout my time at Stevens, I have seen the music scene here change immensely into a space for all kinds of people. When I was first a freshman, I noticed that certain music events and environments felt reserved for a specific kind of person. If you fit the look and the vibe of the group, then you were accepted. If you had other passions or looked and dressed differently, the space was not always welcoming. Now, as I prepare to graduate in May, I have noticed the music scene at Stevens has become a place where we can all bring our uniqueness and individuality.
I remember being a younger student and attending music events and activities on campus. I was trying to disguise certain parts of my personality and passions by just not mentioning certain things about myself. For example, some people might think that it isn’t the coolest thing to be in a sorority and that one of your favorite songs is by Olivia Rodrigo. If everyone in the group is thinking that Olivia Rodrigo and sororities are stupid and should be abolished, perhaps those conversations just won’t come up. That was just my personal experience. Throughout the years though, certain organizations and groups started to change the way music was being shared on campus. I think about Sig Ep and their integration of music into their fraternity and the greater Greek community. They have hosted countless charity concerts that showcase Stevens students, like myself, and other outside bands as well. There is also Chi Phi, which collaborates with music clubs on campus to create unique spaces for music to be showcased as well. The integration of music into Greek life has opened more doors for people of different backgrounds to come together through music.
Sig Ep recently hosted a charity show on March 27 for the Hoboken Homeless shelter with four bands from Stevens performing. It was an amazing event and allowed for all kinds of people to join together, listen to some good music, and donate to a good cause. I looked around during this concert and noticed so many different kinds of people – sorority and fraternity members sitting together swaying to the songs, freshmen feeling comfortable enough to attend and sit right in the front, forming community as the songs went on, alternative music listeners happily singing along to a Taylor Swift song, and ultimately I saw connection in real time. That is what music is about — connection. Thank you to the Stevens music scene for being a place for all kinds of people.
