It's not a project. It's not homework. It's not even really for a purpose, yet some students are just doing it. It's their breakaway from school life, and luckily, it's something everyone can enjoy.
As students break into spring semester, many are already finding activities that they can fiddle with to get out of the study mode.
Jamming out or harping on some instruments all across campus is what many students are using as their relaxation tool.
"It's more fun to play an instrument than go to school," said Christian Hamrick, sophomore in women's studies, with a laugh.
Hamrick is one of the many musicians that on a beautiful day brings his instrument on campus, finds a spot and just plays.
"We'll just sit around for hours and hours with a song and good weather," Hamrick said.
Tyler Case, senior in chemical engineering, enjoys playing whenever she can take a break from her heavy work load.
"It's just something that I genuinely enjoy for myself," Case said.
In elementary school, Case said she started playing the piano then moved to the guitar in fifth grade.
Today, she said she has tampered with the piano, guitar, clarinet, flute, mandolin and accordion, to name a few.
"I just have an obsession with music and instruments in general," Case said. "I wouldn't say I'm accomplished in all of them, but I definitely like to mess around with them and try to make noise and make it sound pretty."
Kyle Gissendaner, undeclared sophomore, is another musician who plays on campus with Hamrick among other friends. Gissendaner plays guitar, but also works with the computer as a DJ. When mixing music, Gissendaner said he plays a lot of Dubstep, a new form of electronic music.
Just last week, Gissendaner and Hamrick spread out on the steps of the green space near the Student Center.
Gissendar said a few people stopped and asked questions and said they enjoyed their playing.
During the rushed breaks of a school day, students hurry to their next class in the short 10 minutes before the hour, while the next 50 minutes can seem lonely.
For Melissa Allen, the music breaks up the sometimes eerie silence.
"I think having any kind of live music on campus is a positive thing," said Allen, sophomore in radio, television and film. "It gets wicked quiet, too quiet."
Allen said she likes to hang out with her friends while they play, and it's something to do in between classes.
Allen said she hopes more people will come out and play too.
"Get everybody together and they'll all jam and hang out," Allen said. "It will be fun." Both
Hamrick and Gissendaner are members of the band Cranberry
Horses. They said playing on campus is nice practice for them to prepare for their shows.
Tonight the Cranberry Horses will be playing at The Gnu's Room at 6:30 p.m.
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