Porch Fest 2023 is a place for musicians to play on porches in Central Neighborhood. It was a successful event for musicians, including the Titan Drumline. In total, 44 Musicians played the weekend of Sept. 17 at Porch Fest. Many local musicians showed their skills and new material. Some homeowners living on blocks from 5th to 13th street in the Central neighborhood were very generous this year to offer up their porches for the musicians. Students and band teachers believed it would be a great opportunity and would create publicity for the Titan Drumline.
“We started doing Porch Fest three years ago. Porch Fest [is] where musicians would go out and play on porches, so we thought it would be a good thing for the drumline to do,” Jacob Lober, a member of the drumline and the organizer of the event, said.
The drumline worked hard for this event and put maximum effort into practicing to make the event as successful as possible. As a result of the event, the band has raised a good amount of money for the drumline and band. Students in the drumline who participated thought it was a great opportunity, especially as a freshman playing with the older students. Also in front of a bigger crowd, freshman Myah Skroupski has been playing with this particular band for less than a month.
“Porch Fest was interesting being with all the older kids, and watching people walk up and listen to us play,” Skorupski said.
Porch Fest allows musicians to open up to playing in front of new people. It created bonds throughout the drumline and gave the drumline involvement in the community.
“I think it gives students good experiences as musicians for performing in front of people but also it builds our program as it gives us exposure outside of our community,” Lober said.
Along with students who play at Porch Fest, some students attend and listen to others play music. Students like Wren Walter live downtown and get to experience Porch Fest in their neighborhood. Walter attended Porch Fest this year for the music, the food, and to hang out with her friends while walking downtown.
“I think it brought our community together a lot more because Porch Fest is a volunteer event. People can volunteer their porches and bands play on them. I think it is a good community event,” Walter said.
Porch Fest has been successful every year in raising donations for the Titan Drumline. Along with community exposure, it has benefited the drumline as they were able to secure new instruments and expand our titan band community here at school. Students get the chance to play in front of others and give back to their community.
“I think it gives students good experiences as musicians for performing in front of people but also it builds our program as it gives us exposure outside of our community here at school,” Lober said.
