By ZACH VILLA

Salima Barday, who initiated the Juilliard Rock Club, performing with her band, the Singularity Trio. The members are (left to right) Zach Villa, Phil Kuehn, and Barday. (Photo by Andrea DeMarcus)

While roaming through the halls of practice rooms at Juilliard, we may soon hear an entirely different canon of music. Among the familiar sounds of strings, pianos, and brass, expect to hear the sound of an electric guitar or two. This past September, the Juilliard Rock Club was formed to answer students' call for a united effort to support the music form.

Since its formation, this student-initiated club has moved to raise awareness and promote the development of the rock-music community here at Juilliard. Salima Barday, a third-year classical bassist, formed the club after playing in a rock band, the Singularity Trio. The experience led Salima to explore the non-classical application of her instrument. In sharing her positive experience with friends and colleagues, Salima discovered the "underground" non-classical music movement at Juilliard. "I was enthusiastic to begin the club because we didn't have a community to support talents outside of our majors," she explains. "Cross-training is important to explore the imaginative use of our instruments, and ultimately find a greater depth of expression."

Under the guidance of faculty member Greg Sandow—who teaches a class at Juilliard called "Classical Music in an Age of Pop"—the club's bimonthly meetings provide a forum of support for the pre-existing rock groups and musicians at the School. One such group involves second-year actor and guitarist Ray Lorini, who understands the community of rock music. "There's power in a large group of people listening to the same music—experiencing that, being part of that, part of music with a message," Lorini says. His band includes Chris Kapica on bass and Rob Knopper on drums. "It never hurts any kind of artist to explore different forms. Combining the modern and the classical musician, you get something new, something fresh … it's all art. It's really cool that the combination is happening. You put the two together and see what you get."

For other members, the club acts as a listing service of sorts, hooking freelance student musicians up with other student rock musicians with similar goals. Shalita Grant is a first-year drama student who formed a band to fulfill her dreams. "I always sang in the shower and I thought, 'What a great song this would be to perform' … the J.R.C. helped make my shower dreams come true!" Her group, a funk-soul-rock fusion, includes band-mates Keenan Boswell, Kyle Athayde, Chris Kapica, Nick Hagen, and Mike Blutman.

Exploring alternative forms of music is not a new idea at Juilliard. We have only to turn to last month's issue of The Juilliard Journal to read an article ("Two Worlds—or One?") about alumni pursuing the popular-music path in their careers. But exploring alternative art while we are still students is often difficult due to the sheer intensity of the program here.

Members of the rock club represent every division of the School, cultivating a collaborative effort. Everyone is welcome; both musicians and lovers of rock music are invited to join. In its initial months, the club has helped to form new bands, hosted rock jam sessions, and is currently organizing Juilliard's first rock show, showcasing some of the bands and groups associated with the club, including the ones mentioned in this article. Tentatively scheduled for the evening of April 21, the concert promises to be a great time. In organizing the event, the rock club will be working closely with other student-initiated groups such as ArtReach and CAU (Collaborative Artists Union), to help spread the word. The J.R.C. has more than 20 members and is constantly growing. "We're always looking for help and new members," says Salima, "so if you are interested, please do not hesitate to ask around or just show up at a meeting!"

In the future, the Juilliard Rock Club plans to continue organizing concerts, promoting its members, and furthering the development of rock music here at Juilliard. The club is a chance for Juilliard students to come together, regardless of major, and create a community of artists interested in common goals. However controversial, the rock/pop music scene is alive and well at The Juilliard School, and seems to have staying power. If ever you do find yourself hearing works of AC/DC or the Stones blaring beside Bach and Beethoven, keep in mind that these classical composers laid the groundwork for our current musical tastes. Besides, Beethoven was the first real rock 'n' roll artist—or so my classical colleagues tell me! Come to a Juilliard Rock Club meeting, bring your sticks, your guitar, or just your soul to move with, and join a community of artisans intent to rock.

Zach Villa is a second-year drama student.