Growing up in the Midwest, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are sure indicators of winter. So too are fireplaces, cozy pajamas, and winter concerts—whether they’re your younger sibling’s recital or solo, in-the-car Christmas karaoke. No matter how you celebrate the frigid season, music can warm the spirit of even the most dedicated Scrooge.
On Tuesday, December 2, NMU’s Superior A Cappella group gave students and Marquette community members the opportunity to stay warm and jolly inside Reynolds Recital Hall, where they performed their winter concert, The Human Condition—“a night of music that explores what it means to be human: the memories, the emotions, and the moments that tie us together” (NMU Hub, n.d.).
Kassidy Bush, a former member of the organization who attended the event, was thrilled to experience the joy of music this holiday season while supporting many of her former classmates. Bush, an advocate for the arts in all forms, spoke about the value of artistic expression alongside academic fields that don’t typically evoke feelings of creativity.
“You can’t have arts without sciences, and you can’t have sciences without the arts, and I’ll die on that hill,” Bush said. “I think they both feed into each other beautifully.”
In nostalgic Christmas fashion, the musically skilled students brought glad tidings to campus, performing songs by popular a cappella group Pentatonix as well as pieces by The Beatles, Billie Eilish, Imogen Heap, and Phoebe Bridgers.
As an accomplished singer and musically talented student, Bush understands the unique way Marquette inspires individuals to create art that reflects the originality found only in the Upper Peninsula.
“On a campus like NMU, you get a lot of creative people,” Bush said. “When you live somewhere this beautiful, you’re going to have a hard time trying to make an argument that it’s not a creative and artistic community.”
Superior A Cappella demonstrated NMU’s inventive spirit through beautiful harmonies, with the rich tones of basses and tenors amplifying the crisp notes of sopranos and altos. The event’s success, however, would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of NMU’s Music Department.
“The artistic community—specifically in Marquette—we’re going to know everybody no matter what,” Bush remarked. “And with a community that tight-knit, it’s really fun to be able to make those connections and do it without the pressure of competition.”
If you were unable to attend the concert but are interested in hearing the musical talent Marquette has to offer, more events are scheduled for the winter semester. Kassidy Bush will be performing a classical concert in Reynolds Recital Hall for her senior project on Sunday, February 15, followed by a jazz ensemble performance featuring Bush at The Ore Dock Brewing Company.
