University of Virginia Library

The Concert Problem

Students have long complained that
Virginia is a second-rate school when it comes
to entertainment. Of the four to six concerts
put on every year by the University Union
and the PK German Society usually only one
or two are better than mediocre. While other
schools, many with smaller student bodies
and lesser financial resources, are able to lure
first-rate performers, the University has
featured such top name groups as Dreams.
The Strawberry Alarm Clock, and Marvin
Gaye.

Now the PK German Society seems to
have solved the problem of putting on a
mediocre concert. For Midwinters Weekend
they are sponsoring no concert at all.
Recently one of our reporters talked with the
PK German president, Tom Sansonetti, who
outlined many of the problems faced in
booking a concert. The problems are all
legitimate excuses for being unable to put on
a concert, but they are problems common to
most colleges and not unique to the
University. The conclusion we reach is that
other colleges handle the concert organization
better than our concert promoters do.

The entertainment business is a complex
racket and should be dealt with by
professionals, not amateurs. Booking a
concert is a full-time job requiring hard work
and a great deal of time, as well as some
knowledge of the business and the people
who run it We don't believe that the students
who are acting as promoters are equipped to
do the job.

Nearly two years ago, we talked to John
Herring, the Director of Newcomb Hall, about
the concert situation here. He pointed out
then that until some coordination between
the concert-sponsoring groups was achieved
the concert situation would not improve. Mr.
Herring, we note, handles the Artists Series
program of the University Union, and brings
excellent cultural entertainment to the
University every year. The other day he
reiterated. "I know of no other major
University where the concert situation is as
disorganized as it is here." We don't either.

To achieve some better organization we
urge the PK German Society and the
University Union to combine under one
organization for the purpose of sponsoring
concerts. We also urge them to secure the
services of a professional promoter to hire
groups acting on student advice. Together the
two groups may be able to pool the necessary
financial backing to promote successful
concerts. If not, we would suggest a slight
increase in the student fee to be used for the
purpose of providing the students with the
first-rate entertainment that has been so long
in coming.