Students might have trouble finding a place to play music on campus due to noise level concerns. But music lovers who need to play music may find a way to satisfy their hunger on campus next semester by joining a newborn Student Association club - the Jam Club.
According to Ryan McGowan, assistant to SA vice president and SA club liaison, Jam Club became a new temporary SA club this semester.
"Jam Club is a special interest club," said McGowan. "It is a club that (brings) special musicians together, for students who want to form bands and practice."
David Soscia, a freshman undecided major, and Matthew Larson, a freshman biology major, are the founders of the Jam Club.
"We just got approved to be a SA club two weeks ago, and about 20 people (were) interested in the past three weeks," said Larson. "We want to give the opportunity for the members to form different bands."
According to Soscia, the Jam Club fills a need for the student population.
"There are not many opportunities on campus and this club actually can help the students get together and jam; you can't really jam in the dorm," said Soscia.
Anthony Randazzo, a junior business major, said he saw a flyer about Jam Club on campus.
"I thought it is a good idea that people get together and form a band and jam," said Randazzo.
Since Jam Club is a new organization, not many students are familiar with it, though they consider the concept attractive.
"I never heard of it and all I know that it is an SA club," said Ayman Ezzat, a junior business major. "I think it's a great club to join for anyone interested in music to meet others that like it. So if I didn't have many things to do this year which I do, I would certainly join it."
Soscia and Larson both have years of experience playing music, and said they always hope to find people who share their interests.
"I played drums for five years and I was in a rock 'n roll band in my high school," said Soscia. "The reason we started (Jam Club) is because we really do not have a group to play, so we want to find a group to play some music. It is a chance to get people who have (similar) interests to get together and play."
According to the founders of the Jam Club, their main goal is to promote different kinds of music. They encourage students to come to meetings and jam with their favorite instruments.
"The idea is (that) students would share their instruments with the others," said Larson. "We want a lot of instruments, not only the basic rock n' roll ones like guitars and drums, but any kind of instruments like keyboards, saxophones, and they can work with each other to see if it sounds good."
Students who are aware of the Jam Club's mission welcome the club's emphasis on the social aspect of music.
"I think it is a good chance to meet people and a good chance to start a new band because all the musicians come together," said Kyle Smith, freshman business major. "You get to scope out everyone's talent and find a band."
The Jam Club will offer three jam sessions per week in the spring 2004 semester. The sessions will be held Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 2 to 4 p.m. in 210 Student Union. The sessions start on the weekend of January 17.
"Every Saturday is the open jam session," said Soscia. "Basically, members just jam together, and the other two days are closed door sessions. The hour blocks let the members break into small group to practice their own music."
Larson welcomes all students to the session.
"If students want to come in and listen to our jam, they are more than welcome to come into our meeting (during) every Saturday's open session," said Larson.
According to McGowan, it will take six months for the Jam Club to become a permanent club under SA guidelines. The founders of the club said they will concentrate their efforts on recruiting members and finding financial support from outside sources.
"We hope to get 40 to 50 people in next semester," said Larson.
"We just try to set the bands up to play either outside or inside of school," said Soscia. "If we could play outside, we can try to get some money for the club."
Students who are interested in joining the Jam Club can contact Dave Soscia at 645-1008 or dasoscia@buffalo.edu and Matthew Larson at 645-1005 or mclarson@buffalo.edu.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
