Every month, a group of Drury students gather on Historic C-Street to celebrate the furtherance of their musical skills. The event is named “Big Momma’s Night” after the venue at which it is held. It serves as a wonderful opportunity for students to perform and hear music. It is hosted by Drury’s music therapy department.

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is, as major Jacob Taken describes it, “training to use music to help others facilitate growth, understanding, and real-life problem-solving in themselves.” It has been proven particularly effective for children and the elderly in need of maturance or catharsis. Music has a special power to bring about memory or emotion buried by the listener. A music therapist knows how to use this power to help ease or encourage broadening the mind.”

Shelby Johnson, who organizes the event, spoke on how the prospect of music therapy appealed to her as a musician and a person.

“I knew that I wanted to help people and still stay connected with music, so I thought that getting a psychology major with some sort of music minor would be great,” she said.

The beauty of Big Momma’s Night

In the interest of the department, the event’s proceeds go toward the Drury’s Student Music Therapy Association. All the money made helps to fund trips to conferences for students in the future, so they can continue honing their craft. When you attend Big Momma’s Night, you can rest assured that your money will end up assisting the performers. They become better music therapists and help to make the world a better place thanks to the generosity of the Drury student body and the community.

The event also gives students the opportunity to perform. Both Johnson and Taken expressed that the event has helped overcome their stage fright. As a freshman, Taken came in too scared to perform in front of others until his first time singing at Big Momma’s. He’s sang at all but one of the dozens of nights since then.

Photo via Shelby Johnson.

Cheap entrance, priceless memories

The evening offers an opportunity to form bonds and lasting friendships. Taken’s favorite memory from Big Momma’s Night is performing with two of his Drury friends, Sydney and Shelby.

“They sang an original song with me that I wrote called ‘Something Worth Saving’ and the overall support that I felt after performing still sticks with me today,” he said.

The events have a special way of uniting all in attendance through art. So if you’re free Feb. 15, March 1, April 12, or May 3, and you have three bucks to donate to your fellow students, be sure to check out Big Momma’s Night! And if you’re hungry or thirsty, Big Momma’s has some excellent food and drinks.

As Taken encourages, “If you love good food and great music than it is worth your time to stop by!”

Entrance is cheap, but the memories are priceless.

Article by Jacob Maher.