Administrative leaders, such as President Casey, support student musical artists by hiring them to play concerts at their events. Students show support for their musically talented peers by attending their concerts, en masse, whether it be in the basement of a fraternity, a bar or Bowman Park. Even other universities respect the talent of DePauw student artists by hiring them for concerts across the nation.
Why is it then, at the recent Union Board Spring Concert, no support or respect was shown to student artists by providing them with an opportunity to perform? Despite conversations with members of the Union Board regarding this matter, Audiodax was completely overlooked as an opener for the April 2 Mike Posner concert.
The students have clearly shown their support for us by attending concerts and requesting us for the past year and a half. Union Board is supposed to be representative of the students, correct? Instead of proudly showcasing the talent that DePauw clearly has to offer — all bands included — and allowing our own peers the opportunity to network and further their careers, Union Board has shown through their actions that it doubts their peers' abilities.
What is the message that is being conveyed when a band such as AudioDax, which has performed around the country, can't get an opening slot at their own school? Union Board has to remember that it is representing the students and the DePauw community in general and there are implications, intended or not, to their actions.
What does this "oversight" say about us as a university? Do we believe we can achieve "uncommon success" in the arts? Union Board's logic is unfathomable. Not only did AudioDax cover Posner's song "Cheated" (which he tweeted to his fans), but AudioDax and Posner are all under the same booking agency, and — here's the kicker — we all talk on a regular basis. The members of Union Board may not know this information, but Posner had four opening acts and none of them were student slots. It is a common practice around the country that universities support their musical artists by providing them with these opening opportunities. This year, DePauw provided its writers the opportunity to meet and greet with visiting authors, such as Ian Frazier. DePauw provides its theatrical community with the opportunity to interact with professionals through its luncheon series. Allowing a student opener for our concert would be the akin to these experiences.
However, the main point of this column is not to rant against the Union Board, but instead to issue a call to action to the organization. Please, give an account as to the logic surrounding your choices in this matter. Mike Posner, a recent Duke University alumnus, takes pride in the support his university showed him on his musical journey to stardom. Unfortunately, AudioDax cannot share the same sentiment. DePauw artists deserve better. It is an embarrassment that Mike Posner and his team invited us backstage, asked us why we didn't open, and we had no answer.
— Rivera is a senior from Chicago, majoring in English writing. He is a member of the band Audiodax, a collaboration between Rivera and another DePauw student.