Simply Three Trio set to perform in Baker Theater.
Most classical recitals involve polite applause, but when it comes to their concerts, the members of Simply Three hope to hear hoots and hollers.
The Simply Three string trio is bringing contemporary music to the spotlight Monday as part of the Performing Arts and Concert Series. The group will perform in Baker Center Theatre for the first stop on a two-week tour.
“The first show is always special because there is a unique, exciting energy both with us and with the crowd,” said Zack Clark, the cellist of the trio.
The trio initially formed in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2010 as a duet performing at weddings and strives to be as entertaining as possible. To do this, the three men break the barriers of classical recitals and incorporate the audience into the performance, said Nick Villalobos, the bass player of the group.
“You clap at the end of pieces and not even in between movements (during a classical recital),” Villalobos said. “There is kind of a routine that goes into being an audience member of a classical concert. Our concerts, it’s different. We like people to cheer and shout and have a good time while we’re actually playing the music.”
The group arranges well-known songs form “Take Me to Church” by Hozier to “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles. Aside from hit songs, the group plays original music.
“I think I can speak for all of us collectively in saying that we really like performing our own original music because it speaks to the essence of who we are as a trio the most … It’s us speaking, basically, directly to the audience,” said Glen McDaniel, the group’s violinist.
The group brings different elements to the show, such as hitting on the bass to create a percussive sound as well as “chopping” on the violin, Villalobos said. Along with these elements, the group hopes to get the audience involved.
The piece “Summertime” gives the audience the chance to be a part of the performance. The trio uses its improv skills and asks the audience to give some encouragement, Villalobos said.
“If they like what they hear, they can hoot, they can holler, whistle, they can clap — all those things that are very common during a jazz setting as well as a rock setting.”
There will be more than one chance to catch the trio; the group will also perform on the second floor of Baker in the atrium for students passing by from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. that day, said Andrew Holzaepfel, senior associate director of student activities for the Campus Involvement Center.
The trio plans on bringing their most exciting tunes and some “crowd pleasers” in hopes of peaking the interest of anyone passing by, Villalobos said.
Holzaepfel said he thinks the trio will draw in a student-oriented crowd because of the different approach the trio takes to music.
“It’s a very accessible approach to string music,” he said. “I think anybody can enjoy it whether you’ve listen to classical music for a long time, there’ll be those aspects and you’ll be able to see an approach to new music, or if you’re unfamiliar, you won’t feel uncomfortable in the space because of the way they approach the music.”
Most events in Baker Theatre have had around 200 people in the audience and this event should be similar, he added.
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