In the wake of last weekend’s “Aggiefest,” the two day concert that featured over 60 acts at eight different venues around Aggieville, K-State’s Union Program Council is looking for more opportunities to further celebrate the talent and excitement currently coming from local music scene in the Manhattan community.
This weekend, the UPC will be hosting the 27th Annual OPUS Battle of the Bands Competition. The front lawn of Goodnow Residence Hall will become a stage on Sunday at 5 p.m., for six of Manhattan’s finest local bands – each performing 20 minute sets of entirely original material. UPC’s Music Committee is in charge of organizing and executing music related events on campus, including the Battle of the Bands. Of these six bands, a group of committee-picked judges will select three that will walk away with cash prizes: $100 for third place, $150 for second place and $200 for first place.
“Every
year OPUS has an astounding pool of talent to draw from, and this year is no
different in that regard,” John Seitz, co-chair for the music committee and junior in biology, said. “This is another great exposure opportunity for our local talented musicians and a memorable experience for any music lover.”
One aspect of this year’s competition that changed from years past is the location: this is the first year in which the Battle of the Bands concert will take place on a residence hall property.
“We are very excited
to have Goodnow Front Lawn as this year’s venue, as we felt it would be a new
and unique setting, and [would] allow us to take the event more directly to students,” Seitz said.
The idea to hold the competition on residence hall property means that, together, the UPC and the Goodnow Hall Governing Board will be working to put on the concert. The UPC has been responsible for contacting potential co-sponsors, brainstorming different promotional ideas for the event and constructing the lineup for Sunday evening’s concert.
The Goodnow HGB is an elected group of students who serve as the governing body to the residence hall. They are tasked with maintaining resident happiness and satisfaction with their Goodnow living experience, as well as encouraging student involvement throughout K-State’s campus. In addition to giving the location for the concert, Goodnow’s HGB will be providing free food for the attendees and will assist in the setting up and the tearing down of the stage for the acts.
“About 50 percent of UPC’s
events are cosponsored,” said Beth Bailey, assistant director and program manager for the K-State Student Union. “So when the Goodnow HGB contacted us about
working together, the music co-chairs thought that a different venue would
provide a great opportunity to reach out to the residence hall population, particularly on a Sunday night.
Tyler Hieber, sophomore in mechanical engineering and Goodnow HGB president, said that his assistant residence life coordinator informed him about UPC’s desire to move locations.
“I was informed that the UPC was
interested in hosting the event in a different location through my ARLC,” Hieber said. “I decided that this event would be a great
thing to do for the residents.”
Bailey said that this year’s OPUS Battle of the Bands competition promises to be an exciting evening for all who attend.
“If you enjoy live
music and you enjoy the outdoors, then this is an excellent opportunity to
enjoy both,” Bailey said. “There is a nice
variety of music with the bands this year. “
Bailey also said that she was excited to see what the evening will bring. She said that she thinks it will be a great way for K-State students to connect.
“I am looking forward to
seeing the residents of my hall and other halls enjoying music together in my
front lawn,” Hieber said. “I am looking forward to seeing what a difference groups like
the UPC and Goodnow HGB can make on the lives of K-State students.”
In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to inside the Union.