DeRoche, an Eastman School of Music graduate and alumnus is the presence of classical guitar on campuses around Michigan, teaching at institutions including Central Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University and Interlochen Arts Academy.

He still finds time for a busy performance career as well. DeRoche’s faculty recital, slated for 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Music Building’s Staples Family Concert Hall, will feature music from around the world, including a Turkish-themed solo piece written by Italian guitarist/composer Carlo Domeniconi, a saxophone-guitar duet adapted from the work of Indian composer Ravi Shankar, and three Latin-influenced pieces for guitar and trombone.

DeRoche said he is excited for the concert and hopes it will raise awareness on behalf of the fledgling guitar studio at CMU, a program still in its formative years.

“It’s a mild form of advertisement,” DeRoche said.

Saginaw junior Ben Schuller, a current member of DeRoche’s studio and performing pop/rock artist in the central Michigan area, described DeRoche as a teacher who cares about his students.

“He doesn’t just teach classical guitar, but he teaches the fundamentals of guitar playing in general, and that’s something I’ve found really helpful in my music,” Schuller said.

DeRoche acknowledges that in certain ways, he’s different than many of his colleagues, especially when it comes to his approach to learning new material. While many players in the classical guitar world will polish a small number of pieces that they’re comfortable with to their maximum potential, DeRoche prefers to broaden his repetoire and move toward fresh material.

“To continue to grow as an artist and musician, I have to challenge myself to learn as a musician” DeRoche said.

DeRoche and Schuller are not the only ones excited about the concert.

“It’s great because it’s unique … how many times have people heard trombone and guitar together?” said Robert Lindahl, professor of trombone, who will be playing with DeRoche on Tuesday.

Lindahl described the concert as a weclome change of pace from other styles of playing, such as the kind he is used to in larger ensebles.

“Playing in an orchestra is like being in a living museum,” Lindahl said of larger ensembles, where he said the music feels more reproduced and less active.

He said he is looking forward to the give and take of chamber music performance, where one musician responds directly to another and vice versa.

“Something about this is more fun,” Lindahl said, noting that while the concert is billed as DeRoche’s faculty recital, the music will involve much more interplay between artists than simply DeRoche accompanied by others.

“It’s chamber music,” Lindahl said, “we’re all equal.”

Other artists who will be performing with DeRoche including percussionist Mike List, soprano Antoinette Torres Tucker and Professors of music, pianist Adrienne Wiley and saxophonist John Nichol. The wide variety of instrumentation is right in line with DeRoche’s taste for the new and unexplored.

“Im a risk taker,” he said. “I want to learn new music and try new things.”

Though there was only a small crowd, guitarist and vocalist for Good Weather for Airstrikes, James Raddick said promoters like Diamonds in the Rough Promotions’ Corey Densmore truly care about looking out for the artists.

“A lot of promoters are just trying to put the show on and make money off of it, but he wants to see bands succeed,” Raddick said.

They said they have played at Rubble’s a few times and love coming back.

The band, which originated in Howell, had many long instrumental sections, with an extremely liberal use of feedback and vocal hints toward Rush singer Geddy Lee. In keeping with the post-rock vibe, the band’s songs were very long, some lasting up to ten minutes.

Guitarist Joe Hillier described their music as “huge, not huge and pretty,” which alluded to their heavy breakdowns and their sparse, beautiful arpeggio-driven guitar lines. The band lived up to their name as over and over again they dropped the heaviest of choruses followed by a serene verse or instrumental section.

Houghton Lake’s North Sky Cinema’s pop punk roots shined through on this night with covers of Tokyo Police Club and their jangly and fast guitars and sing-shout vocal style. Singer Kyle Sutton was the night’s comedian. Just before strumming into a cover of The Outfield’s “Your Love,” he said “my mom loves this song,” which got laughs from the crowd.

New Day Dreamers front man Micah Bracken performs with the band Saturday night at Rubbles bar, 112 W. Michigan St. in downtown Mount Pleasant. (Andrew Kuhn/Assistant Photo Editor)

Mount Pleasant’s Newday Dreamers, with their bass and stinging arpeggios, sounded full for a three piece band. Guitar lines had hints of Modest Mouse in them, while a song called “Creepy Jam” was jazzy, bluesy and had a swinging rhythm. Drummer Ryan Heisler was all over the drum kit, rolling and swinging away.

Attendee Ryan Johnroe said Rubble’s Bar is the best place to find music in town.

He said nights like Saturday are why indie music thrives here.

Several members of the Ragbirds’ 1,200-member-audience participated in their performance on Broadway street by swing dancing.

Emily Johnston, 17, of Mount Pleasant dances with a Hula Hoop Thursday on Broadway Street during the Max and Emily's Summer Concert Series. "I like doing hula hooping at shows and teaching people," Johnston said. (Erica Kearns/Photo Editor

The Ann Arbor-based Ragbirds, a five-member band, call themselves a “fusion of folk rock and pop hooks over danceable world rhythms stirred with a fiddler’s bow.”

Caryn Shick, a Midland resident, said the concert was fun.

“The music was really great to dance to,” she said. “I liked how she kept rotating the instruments.”

She said lead singer Erin Zindle did well while playing the bongo, fiddle and banjo and demonstrated her skills on each while performing.

Max and Emily’s General Manager, Chris “Elmo” Walton, said the Ragbirds were chosen for a good time and because they are a band supportive of Michigan.

“They’re exciting and bring forth a great energy to their shows,” Walton said. “We’re supportive of anyone who wants to invest in Michigan.”

Justin O’Hare, an Estey resident said he is a big fan of the band.

“They’re awesome,” he said. “I’ve seen them at Rubbles… their percussion was outstanding. They’re a great band.”

The concert series is sponsored by Max and Emily’s Eatery, 125 E. Broadway Street, and Isabella Bank, and the restaurant’s owner, Tim Brockman. He said the city of Mount Pleasant is also supportive of the event.

Each year, Max and Emily’s hosts three concerts; this year, Toad the Wet Sprocket will perform in July and Jeff Daniels with Brian VanderArk will perform in August.

Brockman created the event to raise money for the Red Cross’s Infant Food Pantry.

“Last year, we raised $2,500 between the three concerts,” Brockman said.

He said the concert is a good way to bring the community together through food and music.

“We like doing this. We do it for Mount Pleasant, for CMU,” he said. “It’s a fun place and great atmosphere.”

Central Michigan University’s TOMS Shoes registered student organization held a benefit concert from 7 p.m. to after midnight on Saturday at Rubbles Bar, 112 W. Michigan St. TOMS Shoes is a company that donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair it sells.

Terry Cole, public relations executive for the RSO, said the $5 cover charge was donated to help pay for Tiny TOMS, smaller shoes designed specifically for children, bound for Argentina.

“A lot of people are digging deep into their hearts and pockets,” the Kentwood freshman said. “We had one lady give us a 50 (dollar bill), and when we offered to give her a pair of shoes, she said she’d just rather it all went straight to the kids.”

Cole organized the event with the support of organizations Moore Media Records and To Write Love On Her Arms, and brought in entertainers Chano, Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, Zach Burger, Bloomill and Your Best Friend. Cole said Rubbles allowed them to host the show for free.

Zach Burger, 22, of Grand Rapids performs songs off of his new album "This April" Saturday night during the Rock Your TOMS Off Benefit Concert at Rubbles Bar, 112 W. Michigan. (Photo by Victoria Zegler/Staff Photographer)

The crowd stretched from the stage to the front and brought in a total of $1,043, which could purchase about 54 pairs of shoes. It was an achievement TOMS Shoes CMU President Heather Burger, a junior from Lowell, said was an exciting surprise.

“We were only expecting $500 at the most,” she said. “We’re already thinking about making this a yearly event because it’s been so successful.”

Cole credited the night’s success to people’s love of music, the talent of the bands and an attitude of generosity that caused many to give more than just the coverage donation.

Hertler, who brought his backing-band The Rainbow Seekers to perform with him, said he was impressed with the turn-out.

“Last weekend (when we played) we had about 175 people out here, and it looks more packed than then,” the Orion senior said.

Nick Elder, drummer of Saginaw-based Your Best Friend, said he is a huge fan of TOMS Shoes and was happy to come out and support the effort.

“I have four pairs of their shoes,” Elder said. “I wear them all summer, absolutely love them.”

Beth Wright said her favorite performances of the night were Joe Hertler and Your Best Friend. Wright is going into the music business and was looking for performers interested in doing another concert, which she invited Hertler to afterwards. Wright has watched Your Best Friend perform before and said she enjoys the melody of their music.

“They have a sound like Joe Hertler’s group that I’ve never heard it before,” the Brighton senior said. “What I love about them is their harmony, it’s so unique.”

The Cheboygan freshman waited in line solo starting at 3:30 p.m., playing games on Facebook to pass his time.

“I do not plan on sleeping (tonight),” Scott said.

Tickets for the Ke$ha concert go on sale 8 a.m. Friday. He said he loves Ke$ha and was excited when he found out she was coming to CMU.

“I was jumping up and down screaming, ‘Ke$ha is coming,’” Scott said.

Not far behind Scott sat Woodland freshman Kayla Bite and Grand Ledge freshman Dan Pelfrey.

The duo brought homework and computers to entertain themselves. They began waiting at 4:30 p.m.

“We had nothing else to do,” Pelfrey said.

Both Bite and Pelfrey said they were excited for the Feb. 25 concert.

At 7:20 p.m. Thursday, Program Board President Steve Lewis said there were about 42 people already waiting in line.

“We are expecting about 1,000 people (before 8 a.m.),” Lewis said.

Macomb sophomore Mike Greene sat about halfway down the line, playing cards with five of his friends.

“(I’m) having a good time with friends,” Greene said. “We are waiting on two more to get here.”

He said he was surprised CMU is supporting Ke$ha’s visit, especially since the name of her tour is the “Get $leazy” tour.

Lewis said there was a little concern about Ke$ha coming at first, but both University President George Ross and Stan Shingles, assistant vice president of University Recreation, were ultimately on board with the idea.

He also said the majority of RSO presidents said they would like to see Ke$ha perform at CMU.

“Ke$ha was the number-one choice,” he said.

There are 4,300 tickets to be sold for the concert, Lewis said, and the Program Board plans to sell out.

“We are hoping to be able to sell tickets to the public, but if it is sold out by students, that’s great too,” he said.

Rehm, vice president of Information Technology, said he has been doing it since age 12. He can play thousands of pieces, some of which are difficult to play.

“I’ve always just enjoyed playing,” Rehm said. “There is always something new to learn.”

Rehm was one of seven faculty members that performed Tuesday night at a classical baroque concert in the Music Building’s Staples Family Concert Hall. The musicians performed several classical pieces for an audience of about 150 people.

Rehm, along with music faculty member Lindabeth Binkley, assistant music professor MaryBeth Minnis and Steven Egler, professor of music, opened the set with “Sonata in G Major,” by Georg Philipp Telemann. The piece consisted of four parts, including soave, allegro and andante.

Rehm said he had a great time playing at the concert. One of his favorite parts of music is playing with other people.

Egler said he has been playing the organ and harpsichord for 35 years.

He said his favorite part of playing is sharing music with others.

“It doesn’t stop with oneself,” Egler said. “If you don’t play for other people, there is no point.”

He said his favorite type of music to play is classical because it is solid, has integrity and is tested by time.

Associate music professor James Fiste also performed a solo version of “Suite No. 3 in C Major,” by Johann Sebastian Bach on cello.

Binkley teaches and gives oboe lessons. She said she has been playing for 28 years.

Binkley said playing and teaching is a good balance to maintain and she enjoys doing both.

“I love music,” Binkley said. “There is a great deal of variety in music and always something new to listen to and play.”

Binkley said she performs regularly with the Flint Symphony Orchestra and Powers Woodwind Quintet.

“With music, you are communicating with other people or with an audience,” Binkley said.

The School of Music regularly puts on concerts, the next of which will be the CMU Orchestra Concert at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Staples Family Concert Hall.

Rick Rose, a Wheatland volunteer of 18 years, said he enjoys the festival and has always volunteered in the raffle booth.

“I like the idea that all the proceeds from this raffle stay with the Wheatland Music Organization,” he said.

With its Bluegrass and Cajun roots, Wheatland is most well known for its diverse selection of music. More than 1,000 musicians and bands performed at the festival this year across the three stages on the festival grounds.

This weekend more than 1,000 volunteers came together to put on the festival.

East Lansing resident Greg Ruetenik, 20, demonstrates his juggling Sunday afternoon while volunteering at the Middle Ground teen area. (Perry Fish/Staff Photographer)

The festival began in 1973 as a small gathering of musical performers, artisans and festival supporters alike.

Brenda Ritter, a member of the WMO board of directors and a Wheatland volunteer for over 30 years, said most of the money raised through Wheatland goes toward school programs and scholarships that benefit musical education, as well as improving and promoting the festival.

“We wear a lot of tie-dye, but we are so family oriented that we try to keep the family part into it and carry on the traditional arts and crafts,” Ritter said. “That’s what we are here for.”

One of the many groups to perform at the festival was Slide (Ireland) a traditional Irish band. Daire Bracken, an Irish native and fiddle player of the group, said there are a number of things he enjoys about performing at Wheatland.

“When you are playing they go crazy,” Bracken said. “It’s just such a great feedback.”

Among many in attendance was Central Michigan University alumnus Jacob Baire. He has attended the Wheatland Music Festival for the past three years and said his favorite part about Wheatland is the atmosphere and the community.

“Even with the rain yesterday, people were still happy,” Baire said. “People were still taking in the experience, and that’s what Wheatland is, it’s an experience.”