The Music Club at Pacific Union College is a modern revival of the Musical Arts Symposium, which was a club that ran until around 2013-2014. The club is open to anyone, musician or not. Leila Beltran is happy to take up the mantle of being this year’s Music Club president. “We wanted it to be a space where people who enjoy music, whether by listening to it, creating it, arranging it, or anything else, can hang out with other music lovers,” said Leila. “We also want to create performance opportunities that anyone can join. Maybe someone is too scared to join the choirs here. Maybe someone wants to create a different kind of music than what we offer in the Music Department. This club is for them.”

In the short time they’ve been active, they’ve performed completely student-run concerts, songwriting open mics, and hosted concert trips. Their hope is that as the years go by, the club becomes a community for everyone to be themselves and enjoy music together. 

Tell us about being president of the Music Club. 

My role is to make sure the place doesn’t burn down. Just kidding! My job is creating events and experiences that I think our members would like. It also means taking an executive role in any productions we put on. I believe that is the most important part of my job. I also think staying organized helps too. I’m very type-A, so keeping things straight helps these events happen. 

What made you want to be involved with the club? 

I was involved in the Music Department very early on. In my third week at PUC, I got casted in Jericho Road, the musical that was put on last year. Through that show I was able to get to know Kaitlyn, who was Music Club President that year. After Jericho Road ended, Kaitlyn had the idea to perform different songs from different musicals and put them in a show together. I offered to help and I’ve been helping out ever since. One phone call asking me to be the next President, and the rest is history. 

What events does the club host throughout the year? Do you have a favorite event? 

We host all sorts of things! We don’t have the same events every year, but I do have some highlights. We host pre-vespers and various mini performances. We actually performed what we coined, “PUC’s Tiny Desk Concert,” which is basically karaoke with live musicians, at the gingerbread decorating event last Christmas. 

My favorite event that we put on is our PUC on Broadway show. It is completely student-run. We take everyone who auditions and make something amazing. I love it because it forces people to work together who wouldn’t talk to each other otherwise. A lot of the friends I made last year through that show I would not have talked to if not for PUC on Broadway. I’ve seen so much growth from our performers, as singers, actors, and especially as people. Through this show, we prove that we have musical talent here, and not in the places you expect! I love the look on people’s faces when they see someone onstage and say, “I didn’t know they could sing!” Putting people in the spotlight who normally aren’t is what makes the stress of putting the show together worth it. 

What are the benefits of being a part of the club? 

You get discount prices on any outings we go on as well as first dibs on any performing opportunities we have! 

What is your favorite thing about the Music Club? 

My favorite thing about the Music Club is being able to spotlight those who aren’t brave enough to shine through the usual venues, like our music ensembles. There are plenty of people who want to sing or play instruments, they just don’t think they can. Our club creates opportunities for those people, which is my favorite thing. 

How can the PUC community support your club? 

Support and donate to the Music Department! Paulin Hall Auditorium is under construction, and that is where we perform most of our concerts. By supporting the department, you are supporting future creative projects and opportunities for new faces to shine in the glow of your applause.