While some students and faculty members held their musical instruments and performed songs from several prominent composers on a dimly-lit stage, hundreds of adults and students listened and watched the performers’ musical skills.LSU School of Music held its 13th Annual Concert Spectacular, presented by Electronic Maintenance Company Technologies on Friday, at First Baptist Church on 529 Convention Street.”It has become, in its 13 years, a desirable community event,” said Sara Baird, dean of the College of Music and Dramatic Arts. The hour-long event started at 8 p.m., and featured various styles of performances from LSU School of Music students and faculty members, including the Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Bassoon Ensemble and the Ebony Renaissance Chorale.The 13th Annual Concert Spectacular held its tradition, where performances are presented “without pause, without applause” as a sign of respect for the performers. EMCO Technologies, one of its primary sponsors, has contributed to LSU School of Music concerts for several years. “We are extremely grateful for our presenter, EMCO Technologies and sponsors,” Baird said. “Of course, we would like to have more and more sponsors as well.”Janice Peller, president of EMCO Technologies, said art and music correlates well within a strong business community.”Without the School of Music, we would not be a strong community,” Peller said. “We appreciate their presence and contributions.”Although the concert was open to the public, ticket prices for general admission was $25, and student tickets were $5 with a valid student ID.”The event prices are more this year,” Baird said. “We are trying to raise money for graduate music student scholarships, in which we are in a great need.”The Concert Spectacular and other School of Music concerts will all be held at First Baptist Church this year. “We are having large events there because of the Union Theatre renovations,” Baird said. However, the Concert Spectacular had to go without a curtain and stage lighting this year.”It was a different experience for us,” Baird said. “Normally, we change performances using the curtain and stage lights.”The School of Music students and faculty members were able to pull off their acts and performances with Professor of Piano and Jazz Studies Willis Deloney’s coordination on Friday night. Thundering applause and a reception followed the performances.”I think this was an opportunity for the LSU and Baton Rouge community to see the caliber of musicianship that we have among the students and faculty in the School of Music,” Baird said.——Contact Kimberly Brown at [email protected]