Pacific Index

It’s time for music lovers to put on their stagefaces and prepare for the new Songwriting Club at Pacific

   Have you ever seen a group of students with a guitar on the lawn outside Marsh Hall? That quintessential picture of campus life seems like a staple for college brochures, but is a rare (ever?) site at Pacific. In fact, there seems to be a general lack of recreational music at Pacific, besides the rare open-mic night. But not if Kendall Guiney can help it. The freshman music therapy major noted this absence—and decided to create a community for like-minded musicians, co-founding the new song-writing club.

   “Essentially it’s going to be a space for people to perform,” explains Kendall. Furthermore, she hopes that, “even if they haven’t had a whole lot of songwriting experience, it would be cool if everyone just gave it a shot.” As co-president, she’s pushing for more community with songwriters at school, even those who have less familiarity with it.

   Kendall expresses that, “it will be an opportunity for people to just share their music.” Often it’s difficult to find spaces to share music, especially in smaller towns with less amenities. Luckily, Pacific is not too far from Portland and the Hillsboro/Beaverton area. “We might also have some meetings in different areas that aren’t necessarily in our college vicinity,” she reassures, mentioning that it would give people more opportunities to perform.

   “Well, I have quite a bit of a background with songwriting. I’m a music therapy major and music kind of surrounds my life at the moment” Kendall details, remarking on her long history with the Sisters Folk Festival and even having been a part of a songwriting club in high school. “I feel like songwriting is a really powerful way for people to express themselves,” she discloses, making it clear that she feels this will be a great way for people to grow more confidence in their craft and also make acquaintances with other musicians on campus.

   The first Songwriting Club meeting will take place in March with the co-presidents, Kendall Guiney and Candle Riggs.