Imagine, if you will, that UNCW has an extremely talented basketball team. The team worked really hard during the time leading up to the season and when it came time to play, they gave it everything that they had and ended up with some pretty impressive results.

Now imagine that no one showed up to games. Despite a few parents and close friends of the players, the stands are next to empty.

Sounds ridiculous, right? This is the situation that many students of the music department are faced with all too often.

Regularly, the university hosts concerts that feature student musicians, often with free admission. The students work hard to be at the top of his or her game, but when the time arrives, there is little or no support for these hardworking musicians.

UNCW sophomore Crystal Parsons said, “Student support is important all around. These musicians practice for months for these concerts, just like any other professional in a field. It’s just a matter of showing respect to other students.”

There is always a small number of spectators, but many will readily admit that they are there merely for the extra credit or the mandatory attendance required by their music professor. And although he does not consider attendance to be low, Frank Bongiorno, chair of the music department, is concerned with the audience’s etiquette.

“It is unfortunate to see students leaving concerts before they are finished,” Bongiorno said. “Those that stay often develop an understanding and/or appreciation they had never had before regarding the concert and the music.”

However, the problem does not merely lie in lack of interest. Another problem facing the department is the lack of publicity. When asked if they might attend the concerts in the future, many UNCW students are clueless that such events even exist. Bongiorno offers a few suggestions regarding promotion.

“There needs to be someone full-time who can ‘spread the word’ in an official capacity in an organized fashion,” Bongiorno said. He also adds, “Faculty, not only in music, but across campus, should try to encourage students to attend musical events, especially if they have not yet experienced an opera, a symphonic group, or a jazz band performing live.”

While it may not be feasible to wish for a packed house for every concert, it is worthwhile to mention that there are very talented musicians on campus who put multiple hours of hard work and dedication into each performance. Perhaps one day, they will get the credit and support they deserve.