CAB shares progress on spring concert planning

Tory Irwin
Opinion Editor

It’s the question everyone on campus is asking: What’s going on with the CAB spring concert?
The answer might surprise you.

Concert committee chair Sara Anthony and CAB advisor Larry Mannolini have been hard at work over the past few months to secure a concert that appeals to a large majority of students as well as members of the community. Through all their efforts, they haven’t found an act that’s the right match for Lycoming—yet.

Photo contributed by Brianne CharnigoAdam Levine was well received at last year's Maroon 5 concert. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and for me it’s easy to forget that as students come through, they don’t always know how we do this,” Mannolini said. “I wish it were as easy as Sara picking up the phone and calling a band and saying, ‘Hey dude, come play at our school,’ and they say, ‘Okay’ but the fact of the matter is it is about as furthest away from that as possible.

“I like to compare it as planets have to come into alignment. You have to find a popular act that students are going to be interested in, and as many students as possible, while staying true to over a period of years, trying to make as many people as happy as possible.”

Some of the “planets” include an act that’s willing to do college shows, one that’s touring in spring opposed to summer, and one that is touring in our area. After these factors are considered, the matter of price comes into play.

“Every single aspect has to come together or else the whole thing falls through,” Anthony, a Junior, said.
Currently, the pair has a list of possible acts that fit these criteria, and they are working at confirming one for the spring concert. As soon as it is possible, the concert will be announced.

“I think people think that we are secretive of it just to have a secret, but that’s not the case at all, it’s a very competitive market. Colleges are all battling against each other for the same limited acts. It’s best that we keep our ideas close to our vests, so to speak, so that word doesn’t get out to a competitor of who we’re looking at so we don’t run the risk of being overbid or outgunned,” Mannolini said.

They are continuing planning cautiously.

“It’d be great if we could all know, but you know what, word like that spreads like wildfire,” Anthony added. “So, we’re not doing it to be jerks or to be on our high horse. We would love for you guys to know. We want to generate this interest, and we want your support and we want your help and it’s not about keeping a secret, it’s just about making sure that Lycoming College ends up with the best show they can.”
There have been two acts that CAB has attempted to secure, but neither opportunity worked out. Mannolini isn’t too worried, though.


“We’ve gone well into late February and still not known, so it’s hard to tell. I’m not nervous that we haven’t booked it yet, so students shouldn’t be nervous. The last two shows were announced at odd times. They were anomalies to what is normal.”

Photo contributed by Brianne CharnigoKe$ha performed two years ago.As CAB works through their list and attempts to land another act, Anthony feels like she can’t say much about music.

“I feel like I can’t even say some names sometimes because then it’s like ‘Oh, Sara said we’re going to get this band!’” she joked.

She is working toward a time when she is free to talk about musical acts again. Once that time comes, the concert committee will need a lot of help from students willing to get involved. Positions that need filled are Security chair and group members, Stage Crew chair and group members, Hospitality chair and group members (who will be responsible for preparing the act’s dressing room), Concessions chair and group members and Public Relations chair and group members.

“We’re going to have a lot of interest after it’s announced. Those are the people who come through the cracks in the woodwork. But we want people who are interested beforehand for the greater cause to make this a great show,” Anthony said.

She invites anyone interested in being involved to come to CAB meetings every other Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. or to email her at antsara@lycoming.edu.

On the same token, if a student has an act they think will appeal to the student body and would be willing to play at a college, Mannolini is open to suggestions.


“I’ve been getting a lot of questions and suggestions since students have come back from break and so has Sara, keep them coming. No idea is a bad idea. It will be good no matter what. We’ve got a pretty high standard to meet in terms of what we’ll consider. We’re not going to just bring in anybody,” he said.
At concert time, CAB will continue the tradition of free tickets for students. A date cannot be confirmed until an act is secured.