Madelaine Pries, Contributor
Featured illustration by Branavi Balendran
On a typical Monday night, Winters College’s JCR room may seem dark and unassuming. However, anyone who has followed the music into the warm and spacious hall knows that the open mic nights of York University Musicians’ Society takes place there, showcasing some of York’s greatest musical talent. More than that, they highlight one important philosophy: music brings people together.
With weekly office hours, ensemble and guitar classes, alternating bi-weekly open-mic and lounge nights, and a generous sprinkling of special events throughout the year, YUMS is a young and thriving club that provides lots of opportunities for York musicians to get together, jam, collaborate, network, or just hang out.
In 2012, Dmytro Grechko, current club president, began his first year at York hanging posters down the halls to build interest for a musicians club. The club was initially called Guitarist’s League, intended to focus on guitar-based music, and while many of the current members are still guitarists, the name changed a year later to York University Musicians’ Society to include the wide scope of musicians that attend York. Becoming a member gives musicians full access to the club’s bi-weekly lounge nights, members-only shows, discounted guitar repairs, and to the classes that YUMS offers. Any York student is welcome to attend their events, including their open mic nights.
For nervous performers, YUMS’ open mics are a great opportunity to play for a supportive audience of like-minded artists, as well as to make new friends and connections. Performers showcase all styles of music, from folk tunes to original classical compositions, to crowd-engaging pop covers. The warm and welcoming atmosphere is evident the moment you walk into the room with a friendly and supportive audience that will enthusiastically sing along for back-up vocals and clap for percussion.
“It’s a great place for musicians to come together and build a community,” says Daniel Sheahan, music student and member of YUMS.
It is a community that is built on students from diverse faculties and is brought together through their common interest in music.
“I never would have met some of these people otherwise. I’ve made some really fun friends,” says YUMS’ Director of Public Relations and computer engineering student, Ekram Bhuiyan.
There are many ways to get involved with YUMS and the York music scene. The club hosts many events, which in the past have included an environmental awareness show and a metal night, as well as off-campus events that showcase the club’s talented members and bands to a wider Toronto audience. The friendly execs hold office hours every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. in Winters College room 145, where members are invited to jam or chill.
YUMS also offers classes led by YUMS’ Director of Music Education, Christopher Cerpnjak, including guitar lessons for all playing levels. They also host ensemble classes that have seen the formation of bands such as Mikuchip who will be showcased among other performers at the next big YUMS event on March 11. The event will be held at The Central in downtown Toronto and is sure to be a great opportunity for members to display their talents in the big city.
As a community where music is seen not only as a form of entertainment and communication, but also as an artistic outlet, hobby, and lifestyle, YUMS hopes to inspire, foster passion, interest, and respect for music as an art form, as well as a career.
If this sounds like your tune, checking out the YUMS community is a perfect prelude to making new connections, new friends, and getting involved in York’s music scene.
Musicians wishing to check out or become members of YUMS are invited to go to the club’s office hours or visit their website for more details at musicianssociety.weebly.com.
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