The Music Scene, as part of University Student Union Productions, constantly seeks new talent to bring to campus in the form of Nooners, the lunchtime music shows in The Pit.
Ann Soghomonian and Vanessa Arredondo, as co-coordinators of The Music Scene, are the students who are in charge of bringing music to your ears.
Nooners are provided for students to have a relaxing lunch hour in the middle of their busy week.
“We want to get the school crowd going,” Soghomonian said. “It’s a busy time where students can relax from their classes and enjoy lunch with a little entertainment.”
Each act is a little different. Soghomonian said that she aims to bring a diverse range of acts to campus, with something for all kinds of students to enjoy.
“Anything and everything really,” Soghomonian said. “We’ve had bands, DJs, rappers and more.”
Soghomonian and Arredondo are in charge of every aspect of bringing bands to perform on campus, from finding new talent to arranging their contracts.
Christine Graham, a junior liberal arts major and singer in Amoret was referred to The Music Scene to perform through the band’s Facebook page.
“I was so excited to play and be a part of something I cared about and enjoyed already,” Graham said.
Graham preformed during a Nooner with her band Amoret, as well as also playing during Vintage Days on campus.
“We have a special place in our hearts for playing at this college,” Graham said.
Students walking through the center of campus can hear the Nooner bands that command The Pit for an entire hour.
“Try it out if you don’t have class,” Soghomonian said. “It’s a good outlet to relax for the lunch break.”
“It’s such a fun event and everyone should go,” Graham said. “It’s right next to all the food, a lot of well-shaded tables and it’s a great way to discover new music.”
“It’s free,” Graham added. “You really can’t beat free.”
Austin Machado, lead vocalist in My Beautiful Surrender, also enjoyed the experience of taking part in the Nooners lineup.
“We have played at other schools,” Machado said. “I’d tell people to definitely check it out.”
My Beautiful Surrender was referred to USU Productions and contacted by The Music Scene to play, which Machado said gained his band some new fans.
As co-coordinator for The Music Scene, Soghomonian has seen her fair share of Nooners.
“It’s really hard to remember all of them,” Soghomonian said. “Alma Desnuda, Fierce Creatures and Clouds Like Mountains would be my favorites so far.”
Though she is not sure how long Nooners have been hosted in The Pit, Soghomonian said this is her second year working for USU Productions, which tries to book six or seven bands per semester.
Machado and Graham said playing outdoors was challenging, but that it added to the experience.
“In terms of sound, you never know how it’s going to come out,” Graham said. “I was really pleased to find that the sound came out as good as it did.”
Machado said it was different not having a captive audience.
“Not many people watched the whole time,” Machado said. “But it got people to say, ‘Who’s this band?’”
Graham praised USU Productions for their hospitality and said she wanted to play again. “The staff were very accommodating and productive about helping it be the best experience,” Graham said. “I would play every Wednesday if I could.”
Graham said she was excited for Amoret’s next Nooner concert, which may take place during the spring semester, as well as playing at other colleges which host similar events.
“We love to play for the college crowd,” Graham said.
Bands and solo acts come from all over, but the USU can use these types of events to showcase local Bulldog talent.
“Fierce Creatures actually has a student in their band,” Soghomonian said. “For the Spring Break Extravaganza, we had a DJ who was a recent graduate.”
Soghomonian explained that part of her job is to complete contracts and make sure the musicians get paid. USU Productions is allotted a budget, which is divided up among all of its various functions, she said. The Music Scene uses its part of the budget to host all of its events and promotions, not just Nooners. USU Production also hosts a variety of entertainment events in the Satellite Student Union in addition to those in The Pit.
Soghomonian said she is often contacted by bands that want play on campus, many of which are bands that had previously played Nooners that wish to come back. The Music Scene also scouts local shows to find performers who might be interested, she said.
Graham recommended that other students with musical talents should contact USU Productions.
“They have great follow-up on their Facebook page and all of their contact information should be on the Fresno State website,” she said.
Soghomonian said there are some bigger events in the works, such as a possible night concert at the Satellite Student featuring different rap artists.