College Visits End in a Barn

Long are gone the days where me and my parents drove across country to find the perfect college where my talents could be expressed and grow. For my brother, however, his journey has just begun. With one more year left in high school, my brother and my parents are steadily looking at different colleges to suit his educational needs. This for me feels like deja vu the only difference in that my brother is interested in law where I was marketing. Upon visiting Vassar College in upstate New York and seeing a surprise concert in Woodstock, I though realized people make livings doing what they want no matter how complicated or trifle the job may seem.

To start off, Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie New York and is a private liberal arts college founded in 1861. One of it's biggest achievements is that it was the second degree granting institution of higher education for women in the United States just closely following Elmira College. Upon entering the campus, memories flooded into my head of when I was touring colleges and ultimately chose Loyola University to be my home.

Going into the college center, students could be seen mingling and chatting. Surprisingly no one greeted us but the intensity of finishing summer courses seemed evident so me and my parents took no offense.

Walking around the campus, the students at Vassar College appeared very cerebral focusing on studies above all else. Sounds of intense piano pieces could be heard echoing the halls, although the player was unaware of the people watching him play. After leaving the college, it was certain that Vassar College might not be the college for my brother but the commitment to the arts these students had should not be overlooked. It was then sprung on us by my father that we would then be seeing a concert later that night so off we went to the venue.

The concert we would be seeing was Brett Dennen in Levon Helm Studios. Levon Helm Studios, established in 1975, is a live music venue located of all places in a barn in Woodstock New York, however, this barn is more than meets the eye. Named after American musician Levon Helm, Levon Helm inherited this property where people, to this day, come and perform live music. Brett Dennen, although niche, is an American folk/pop singer and songwriter from Central California. I have been a fan of his for years and when my father said he was performing I jumped at the chance to see him perform live and especially in an iconic place like this.

After entering the barn, merchandise could be seen occupying the walls. It was hard to believe that this venue could house hundreds of people at one point but the oozing of age could be seen by the audience of late 60 year old's flooding into the store.

Up on the rafters, the opening band could be seen playing below us. I was instantly taken back to 1975 with people huddling around the musicians as they played there music. There were surprisingly no chairs to sit in at first and the venue encouraged engaging with everyone in the venue. Being as personable as I am I began talking to people way older than me and it turned out many of them made a career on their own music. As the opening act gave their final bow, it was now time for Brett Dennen. 

https://levonhelm.com/

As Brett Dennen started to perform, the uproar of the audience began with him performing his iconic song Comeback Kid (That's My Dog). It was apparent that he was definitely "out there" with him constantly bumping into the mike and him stating he might have been on "something" during the concert but it made the experience enjoyable. Half way during the concert, everyone stood up and danced and Brett Dennen met with his fans afterwards. It was clear to me that even though Brett Dennen is on a boutique indie label, meaning generally not affiliated with or funded by major record labels, he enjoys what he does in life and the ways he makes money reflect what he wants.

After a long day of college touring Vassar College and seeing Brett Dennen, it shows that people have different ways of wanting to make a living in life. Whether that means studying intently and focusing on school work or being a niche musician, people should enjoy what they want to do in life. Whatever decision my brother makes on a school, I hope he also has his own interests in mind and I'll be happy on whatever decision he ultimately makes.

-Aaron Petit