MAISIE STRADER
Special to the Leader
Last year, many student clubs struggled with dwindling attendance and fading interest. The Fredonia Media Music Collective was no exception.
However, with the arrival of the new freshman class, Pops! Orchestra is getting a new start.
Behind every performance lies not just the music, but the labor and creativity of the e-board, staff and students who transform King Concert Hall into a ride through your favorite songs.
At the center of it all is the Media Music Collective (MMC), the student-run organization that oversees both the Pops! Orchestra and Video Game Orchestra (VGO).
Last semester, VGO had little attendance in rehearsals and had to cancel the show.
“In the world of performing arts, a cancelled show is a heavy blow. It’s a moment of disappointment for everyone involved, from the musicians to the audience. Yet, in the wake of our Spring 2025 performance cancellation, our organization has proven that the music never truly stops,” said Aiden Carney, the Music and Arts Director of Pops! Orchestra.
This fall, however, marked a turning point for the club.
“Instead of letting the disappointment linger, they channeled their energy into the future, and the result was truly inspiring,” said Carney, “For our first Pops! Orchestra rehearsal this semester, more than 70 musicians — a number that speaks volumes — gathered not just to play, but to connect.”
Many things occur in the background to put on a show with the MMC, such as the art of conducting.
Carney’s technique, he said, is communication.
He said, “Each and every one of us has music living within us and all we need is someone who believes in us enough to let that music live freely; that is what I hope to communicate to the musicians.”
However, even with all the preparation that goes into these amazing performances, they’re still live — and that means mistakes happen.
“When I make a mistake (which I so often do), I try to take it as a learning experience. As cliche as that sounds, I do it with all of my performances,” Choir Director Brody Brown said. “When the ensemble makes a mistake, you move on. Music is one of the few activities where dwelling on a mistake is not an option.”
Each semester, the artistic team, consisting of Music and Arts Director Aiden Carney, Assistant Conductor Daniel Raczka and Choir Director Brody Brown, meet and review new or suggested content.
Brown said, “All of our tasks from conducting to planning operations to managing social media are done with a simple love for the arts.”
The team takes into account what will excite both the musicians and audiences, but also what will be playable for musicians with varying skill levels.
This is their way of developing a program in which every member can contribute meaningfully while the audience sits and enjoys.
Pops! Orchestra has the ability to capture the audience’s attention.
It’s not just about playing music — it’s about creating an experience.
Club president Alexandria Schuck said, “We’re not just performing, we’re also educating, entertaining and creating a bridge between traditional and modern music experiences.”
For the audience and online listeners, Pops! Orchestra concerts tend to leave audience members and online listeners proud and joyful, while the musicians leave the concert hall with the pride of knowing they’ve just created something meaningful.
Schuck said, “For the performers, it’s still a rigorous and rewarding challenge, as movie scores often require the same level of skill and attention as classical repertoire, but the vibe is definitely more casual and community-focused.”
Before stepping into her role as president, Schuck was first drawn to the sense of community that VGO brought to Fredonia.
What first started off as a passion for the music being played has grown over the last two years into a commitment to see the MMC club thrive.
“The interest and turnout we’ve seen this semester is amazing and I think that shows there’s a real desire for this kind of ensemble,” said Schuck.
After last year’s creative programming, this fall semester’s theme is “A Night at the Movies!”, following last year’s “Let Music Ring!”, which was the Pops! Christmas concert.
The Fredonia Pops! Orchestra concert will be on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. in King Concert Hall.
“The fact that a student-run club is dedicating a full concert to cinematic music is something really special and unique on campus,” said Schuck.
The Orchestra will be playing many recognizable pieces like “Star Wars,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Barbie Movie” and “Disney’s Coco.”
The concert will also feature two of SUNY Fredonia’s well-known a cappella groups, Some Like it Hot and Much More Chill.
Brown said, “With this program being especially popular music, I wouldn’t be surprised if people sang along.”
The Fredonia Pops! Orchestra concert will be a night filled with performances, nostalgic hits and a celebration of our community here on campus.