Homecoming week may have started Monday, but Thursday evening students and alumni will have the chance to catch a musical homecoming celebration that will kick off the much-anticipated weekend.
The Sounds of Homecoming Concert is an outdoor event, sponsored by the University Activities Board, and will feature MSU musical acts and fun activities for everyone.
MSU groups performing will include the MSU Jazz Ensemble, Spartan Dischords, Ladies First and Capital Green, along with an appearance by our beloved mascot, Sparty, and cider and donuts for all.
"This is a way for the community and students to come together and listen to an on-campus concert," said Sveta Desai, the chair for spirit and traditions with the University Activities Board. "It gives everyone a preview of Homecoming weekend."
Desai said groups were chosen based on their affiliation with MSU.
"The reason I chose them is because they're all campus students and they wanted to be able to incorporate students into my theme because all of the activities pertain to students," Desai said. "Groups that are on campus should get out here and support their fellow MSU Spartans."
Desai said the event has been occurring for about 10 years, but every year has been changed to suit the audience.
"It's a nice way for everyone to come out and relax and watch a concert," Desai said.
One group playing at the outdoor soirée is Ladies First, an all female a cappella group.
Rachel Taylor, a marketing junior and Ladies First member, said the Sounds of Homecoming Concert is a perfect way to celebrate Spartan spirit.
"It's a nice way to kick off Homecoming, because everyone gets to come out and see entertainment," Taylor said. "It's also your university's groups that you're seeing."
Ladies First will perform songs that will allow all members to sing, including "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something, Taylor said.
"It's a great way for us to get out there at the beginning of the year because we have seven new members to the group and this is their first show as a group," Taylor said.
Even though the Spartan Marching Band won't be playing at the outdoor entertainment session on Thursday, they will be playing at the pep rally on Friday.
"The band loves Homecoming because our audience is completely different," said John Madden, director of the Spartan Marching Band and associate director of bands at MSU. "A lot of our alums really do honestly honor the Homecoming tradition and it's their only pilgrimage to campus."
Madden said the band will play the MSU Fight Song, along with other adrenaline-pumping MSU favorites for roughly ten or fifteen minutes for the audience.
"Part of our routine hasn't changed, but some of it is contemporary," Madden said. "It's a slice of what it was like back then, and the presence of the band makes alums feel comfortable.
"It's kind of like their link back to MSU."
The Sounds of Homecoming Concert will be held at Adams Field and will start at 5:30 p.m. Rain location is scheduled for the MSU Union main lounge.
