Music for the Masses saves the day
I entered college three years ago with lofty aspirations of becoming a musician. Playing in the percussion section of my middle school’s band kindled my interest in music. I bought the cheapest drum kit I could find and dabbled with them for a few years. I lacked the talent and dedication necessary, but I had the interest. I had to abandon it all, along with any chance of becoming the next Zach Hill or Greg Saunier, when moving into my dorm freshman year. Without a place to develop my skills, the daunting nature of the task made it easy for me to give up. Unfortunately, this type of story occurs too frequently. Luckily, Music for the Masses wants to save the day.
Music for the Masses acts as the middle man for people in situations similar to mine. They help provide resources to people that want to learn how to play an instrument, have a jam session, form a band, play at a show, and even record music. That sounds like a lot for one group of people to handle, but the communal nature of the organization makes it work. The music lessons offered include guitar, piano, bass, vocal, and drum lessons. These lessons are provided entirely on a volunteer basis. The lessons alone would be too much work for some organizations, but not for the juggernaut known as Music for the Masses.
In a familiar story, Music for the Masses founder and President Jason Jasinski was a lost freshman when it came to the Champaign-Urbana music scene. Students often have a difficult time breaking through to the other side of the existing scene in the CU, so he decided to form an RSO at the University of Illinois to prevent future students from experiencing this struggle. Band formation and networking was the main goal of the organization when it was founded, but Jasinski has happily watched his baby evolve into a towering testament to the power of community.
Jamie Stadnik joined Music for the Masses with experience and knowledge that instantly made him instrumental in the development of the organization. Having gone through the rough phase of gaining admittance into the CU music scene, Stadnik knew the ins and outs of booking shows. Upon joining the organization, he acted as the catalyst that sent Music for the Masses skyrocketing to success. After performing as the Vice President of Booking for a year, Stadnik transitioned into focusing on producing and recording, which is often times the most difficult, yet necessary, step for bands. Helping groups produce and record is one of main focuses of the organization going forward. Stadnik is taking over booking at the soon to be reopened Red Herring thanks to his involvement in Music for the Masses.
Another one of essential cogs in the Music for the Masses machine is Priten Vora. Vora brought in experience as a photographer, but had never shot music shows. His stunning portfolio demonstrates how much he has been able to grow as a photographer in such a short time. Vora attributes his breathtaking progress to his training in Music for the Masses. Vora now works with several other groups including the Black Sheep Café in Springfield and will certainly continue to make a name for himself in the music world.
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A group of people this passionate and dedicated is a rare find. To be as humble and welcoming as they are is unheard of. They are always open to new people that want to create roles for themselves or simply want to learn under the guidance of experienced musicians, photographers, or executives. Jasinski describes the organization as a melting pot and regardless of what is added, it still tastes “good and golden.” The goal of the group is promoting the greater good of the Champaign-Urbana music scene and anyone that wants to help with that is already a member of Music for the Masses in spirit. Everyone in the group swears that the only thing they have done is provide a name and people joined forces because of it, but the success of group proves how much work has actually been put in that they refuse to take credit for. The support group that Jasinski has set up with the help of Stadnik, Vora, and so many other people proves the power of community. The group trains people, and then those trainees become the trainers. The pattern continues and spreads like a virus, but definitely a righteous one.
Music for the Masses also hosts shows around campus. Their past events have been quite successful and will surely only continue to grow in scale. They have a pre-show Friday, September 13th on the main quad to promote their next big show on Saturday, September 14th at the Union’s Courtyard Café. The lineup includes Pedestrians, Hometown Heavyweights, The Phantom Broadcast, and Fauve. Anyone interested in joining Music for the Masses’ crusade can go to their Facebook page or look for a friendly face at the show. Joining Music for the Masses would be a no brainer for the freshman version of me and, even though that was a missed opportunity, I am excited for the future of Champaign-Urbana’s budding, young musicians. Music for the Masses is here to help you not lose your dinosaur.