by Satyne Doner, Contributing writer
To continue its sparkling celebration of spring, Saint Leo opened the doors of Selby Auditorium on March 29 to students and faculty for something genuinely delightful – the Tunes in Bloom Spring Concert.
This year’s theme for the concert was “Music Through the Decades,” featuring songs from the 1930s to 2010s. Saint Leo students chose the theme, and they dressed in vibrant outfits to match the decade they sang in. Saint Leo Singers and Saint Leo Rhythm Machine joined together to perform hit songs like “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey and “Can’t Help Fallin’ in Love” by Elvis.
The concert concluded with a performance to honor the late Jack McTague, a beloved professor at Saint Leo and lover of the arts. (picture taken by Satyne Doner)
“I come to this concert every year, and each time I’m blown away by the talent,” said Ashley Mueller, a junior studying marketing at Saint Leo.
The concert aimed to show off the musical flair of Saint Leo, with many of the hard-working students preparing months in advance for the annual Spring Concert.
“We’re always trying to recruit new students,” said Dr. Cynthia Selph, assistant professor of music and music ministry. “Our students work hard, and they have a great time.”
The concert was a chance for students of all walks of life to come together and perform. (picture was taken by Satyne Doner)
Auditions will be held this spring for the following fall semester- interested students are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Selph through her email: cynthia.selph@saintleo.edu.
Additionally, the concert served as an opportunity for all students to come together and connect through music: Saint Leo students, parents, faculty, and even President Dr. Jeffrey Senese, the University’s President, was in attendance to enjoy the heartfelt songs put together by the music program.
The pamphlet handed out at the beginning of the show walked patrons through every performance. (picture taken by Satyne Doner)
“For students, I want this to be an inspiration to them.” Remarked Dr. Chul Young Kim, a music professor who also performed in the concert. “I hope they enjoyed it.”
The concert ended with a touching tribute to the late professor Dr. Jack McTague, who, according to Dr. Selph, “Came to every concert […] during his time here. He was a huge supporter of the music program.” In his honor, students performed a dazzling rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a song just as timeless as McTague.
Dr. Cynthia Selph and the dedicated students of Saint Leo have practiced for this moment for months. (Photo taken by Satyne Doner)
Undoubtedly, the Tunes in Bloom Spring Concert was a success. The packed auditorium had not one empty seat and had many smiling members of the Saint Leo community inside. Students from all different majors joined in cheering on friends, relaxing, and enjoying the music. They certainly left feeling more inspired than ever.
Soloist and professor Dr. Chul Young Kim gave an extraordinary performance of “This is the Moment” from Jekyll and Hyde. (picture taken by Satyne Doner)
