Home to an active live music scene as well as the nation's leading music technology and instrument retailer (Sweetwater), Fort Wayne is a good place for aspiring musicians.
As such, Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW)’s School of Music is deepening its ties with the local music industry, hosting the first of what hopes to be many collaborative performances in the city.
For the past several months, PFW students have been working closely with the Embassy Theatre and the popular Pink Floyd Tribute band, Pink Droyd, to put on a special collaborative performance on February 13th.
The show will feature an authentic recreation of the band’s Dark Side of the Moon album, accompanied by a laser light show and backed up by PFW’s University Singers and Wind Ensemble.
But along with performing in the show, PFW students have been involved in every step of making it happen—from contracting the venue and artist, to marketing and production.
Dr. Greg Jones, Director of the School of Music, says in a press release that the upcoming show falls in line with the goals of PFW’s Popular Music and Music Industry Programs—the two newest majors in the School of Music.
These programs are designed to focus on popular music styles and the cultural interaction music, business, and society—giving students hands-on experience working with bands and venues.
“Our concept of new degrees of Music Industry and Popular Music is that we are going to provide a very special kind of education to them through our amazing collaboration with Sweetwater and the great resources that the community of Fort Wayne offers,” Jones says in a press release.
As such, productions like the Pink Droyd show are giving students deeper connections in the Fort Wayne community, too. For example, this is the first time PFW students have worked with the Embassy Theatre to produce a show from start to finish, Jones notes.
Scott Stolarz, Chief Programming Officer at the Embassy Theatre, says the collaboration presents an important opportunity for local venues like the Embassy, as well.
“With a lot of shows, we just go about our business, getting the show ready, produced, and out the door,” Stolarz says in a press release. “With this, we’ve been able to bring students into the whole process and open the doors to show people what we do. That’s been kind of new and different for us. We are able to involve partners in a really meaningful way.”
Jones hopes the Pink Droyd show helps the general public see the potential of PFW’s new music majors, as well.
“It is real world, ‘boots on the ground’ experience,” he says.
Attend the Pink Droyd show
Thursday, Feb. 13
7 p.m.
Embassy Theatre
For tickets, visit the Embassy Theatre’s website or box office.
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