Even though most of the Neumann University students are not on campus this summer, the place is still rocking thanks to "Neumann on the Rocks." Sean McDonald, general manager of Neumann Media, started the program which brings live bands to the rocks in front of the Mirenda Center each Wednesday afternoon.
The program kicked off earlier this summer with Hollis Brown, a rock band from New York. McDonald had met the band’s manager and asked them to perform. About 50 people attended the first concert.
“Everyone is really loving it. We wanted to get people out of their offices in the summer and socialize,” McDonald said.
Each Wednesday afternoon another band takes to the rocks and performs. McDonald anticipates the concerts continuing throughout the fall and spring semesters.
Neumann University students play a big role in producing the concerts. All of the recording and mixing is done by Neumann Media students and members of Neumann’s student government.
“I anticipate that the student involvement is going to get better once the school year begins,” McDonald said.
Word has gotten out about Neumann on the Rocks, and McDonald has been contacted by local bands that want to perform. The concerts are videotaped and streamed live on the Neumann Media website and the Neumann Media app.
According to McDonald, plans are underway to wrap up Neumann on the Rocks with a larger concert at the end of the spring semester.
Videos of past concerts can be viewed at http://media.neumann.edu.