For many people, there are few things that are better than being at a live concert. Sitting in front of a brightly lit stage and feeling a bass guitar hum through your bones is an experience that’s hard to forget. This is more than evident at events like Rocktacular, the Entertainment Industry Technology program’s student show.

On October 6, the performing students got their chance to show off their skills and talent in Rocktacular. The students performed a wide range of genres. From covers of rock songs, modern pop songs, Spanish songs, and metal songs, it’s not hard finding something that makes you enjoy Rocktacular. All of the students put on amazing performances. This time we got to witness performances by solo performers Kennedy Anderson and Maria Briseno, as well as the bands Until Paradise and Adamastus. Marcus Snell, another solo artist who performed is studying Popular Music Performance, and has been in five Rocktacular events in his CAC career.

In a brief interview with him to ask about his experience in Rocktacular, here’s what he had to say when I asked him how he prepares for a live show?

“Well, I gotta get my set list in order. If I don’t know what songs I’m doing like, maybe two weeks in advance then there’s gonna be some problems. I gotta make sure that I meet with whoever’s doing audio to make sure that my mic’s leveled and I get everything prepared on stage. That’s pretty much it” He went on to discuss how he chooses his playlist. “Well, mainly, it’s based off of songs that I grew up listening to or songs that I just got into listening to. I don’t know how long it usually takes me to find the right song, but usually it’s a song that I can really connect with, that inspires me, tells a great story, or just anything that sounds good.”

I also asked him if Rocktacular has helped him with performing live and what his plans are after graduating from CAC? “It’s helped me a lot because in past times if I were to perform for a talent show or any kind of show whatsoever I have this nervousness problem, I forget words, might not play my instrument right. Ever since I’ve joined the program here I’ve gained more confidence, more conviction, more emotion in my performances and I think it’s really helped me.”

“I’m actually gonna try auditioning for The Voice after school. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth a try. But if that doesn’t work out, I’m just going to try to find a job in music. If it’s not performing then hopefully doing an internship at a radio station or a record label, any place I can get work in the music industry.”

Marcus Snell is an example of what a great program CAC has to offer. The EIT program is arguably one of CAC’s most interesting programs. With four different A.A.S. degrees available for students to study (Recording Engineering, Popular Music Performance, Artist and Venue Management, and Live Audio and Lighting) there is plenty of room for those interested in the music industry.

The “School of Rock”, isn’t a program in which you watch boring lectures and scribble dismal notes. Many of the classes in the program offer opportunities to get out and perform, or be one of the people who rigs the lighting and sound for the performers. The program has a range of classes from The History of Rock n’ Roll to Recording Engineering, to Songwriting, to Performance Skills, and a multitude of other classes.

Also available to EIT students are three advanced studios for artists to work on either school assignments or personal projects — for free! These studios are state-of-the-art, and are open to students who complete the required classes.

For those interested, you can contact the coordinator of the EIT program, Professor Dan Bush, or go to the EIT page on CAC’s website, to find out more information.document.currentScript.parentNode.insertBefore(s, document.currentScript);