For those who live there, Moscow is more than just a city. The city defines a part of their lives, and the people and character of the city will always be a beacon of a time where they learned and grown. That”s what homecoming celebrates.
In honor of this event, I thought I”d call attention to my favorite thing about Moscow – all of the musical characters and styles I”ve come to know and love.
I grew up with an appreciation of music in all forms, from my precious CD collection to my family”s wacky band that assembles on holidays to play “When the Saints Come Marching In” and “House of the Rising Sun” in parades. Being surrounded by music has highlighted some of the happiest and homiest moments of my life, and I know I wouldn”t want it any other way.
When I moved to Moscow last fall, it became immediately clear that music would remain a comfort as I made the transition from home to college.
Reporting for Rawr with an emphasis on the university”s music scene, I became familiar with the Lionel Hampton School of Music as I covered events and concerts it hosted. In the process, I met many passionate and peculiar musicians whose stories I loved.
I then branched out, I got to know local start-up bands both affiliated and not affiliated with UI. The characters I met and the new music I was able to discover first hand were the immediate perks, and looking back I learned that for budding musicians, Moscow is a great place to plant roots.
But my true inspiration for this ode to Moscow”s music scene has less to do with the organized aspect of the phenomenal school of music or even the talented bands and artists looking to be discovered.
Lyndsie Kiebert
My appreciation stems from the spontaneity.
The last farmer”s market I attended, I walked past a girl playing the theme of the Shire from “Lord of the Rings” on her violin. I may just adore hobbits, but it seriously brightened my day.
I was once walking back to campus from Bucer”s when a man with a ukulele broke into song in Friendship Square. It was the most beautiful rendition of “I”m Yours” I”d ever heard.
Heading out of town last weekend, I was driving with the windows down when I heard trumpet music coming from the street – and I didn”t really think twice about it. Upon glancing up there was, sure enough, a man playing a trumpet as he strolled casually down the street, and Moscow was yet again alive with another random and wonderful melody.
While Moscow has a thousand things about it that make it an endearing, art-rich community, the music is what makes it for me. Whether you”re classically trained, a grunge rock guitarist playing basement gigs or someone who just plays movie scores in the streets, you”ve given Moscow a little more musical character, and it doesn”t go unnoticed.
So in light of this UI Homecoming, I”ll be saving my loudest cheers for the Vandal Marching Band. Those brass and silver-wielding hooligans are seriously talented, and they”re just another reason why the music of Moscow makes it a place worth “coming home” to.
Lyndsie Kiebert can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @lyndsie_kiebert