Just About Music
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Just About Music, also known as JAM, is a musically-themed program house at Cornell University, located on North Campus.
Contents |
[edit] The People
[edit] Residents
JAM houses 144 undergraduate students, who call themselves "Jammies." These students form a broad spectrum of musical tastes, from jazz to heavy metal and everything in between. Most are not music majors, but regardless of being a musician or a non-musician, everyone is united by their love of music, however it may be expressed.
[edit] Residential Advisors
There are four residential advisors, or RAs, in JAM who plan programs for the residents and create an inclusive feeling in the dorm.
[edit] The RHD
The RHD, or residence hall director, of JAM manages the RAs, as well as the more Cornell/logistical side of the dorm. He or she is a senior staff member that lives in the building, whose office is located in the main lobby.
[edit] Out-of-House Members
An out-of-house Jammie is a Jammie that doesn't currently live in JAM, but still possesses that unique Jammie spirit and wants to participate in the activities JAM has to offer. Anyone who wishes to become an out of house member can and several benefits come along with it. To acquire the title of "Out-of-house Jammie," all one needs to do is pay the activities fee. The member will then gain card access to the building, as well as rights to attend any JAM program. These people are often vital parts of the JAM community and often seen within JAM despite the fact that they don't live there.
[edit] The Building
[edit] Set-Up
JAM is located on North Campus and is designated as Low Rise 9. The building is set up in the low-rise style and contains four units. Each unit is assigned to a separate RA. The units are comprised of six suites each, that each contain a bathroom and four rooms (two doubles and two singles).
[edit] Perks
JAM is home to three pianos, practice rooms, and a drum set. The building contains a Performance Space, where many concerts are held. The Performance Space also doubles as a recording studio for those who wish to record their music.
[edit] The Performance Space
JAM has its own performance space which is used throughout the school term for concerts, programs, and practice space. There is also an excellent sound system, piano, and drum room within the "P-Space" as it is often called.
[edit] The Activities
[edit] Listening Parties
One of the many traditions within JAM are the listening parties. A listening party is where a student (or staff member) decides that a certain CD (or record, tape, etc.) is just too awesome to not be shared. A time/date is set, and the album is purchased and played for any jammy who wants to attend, and is often raffled off at the end. There are also viewing parties that have been known to happen.
[edit] Concerts
Each year, JAM plays host to several famous bands and artists in a series of concerts in the performance space. For example, every year Samite is brought to JAM to play an informal concert for members and non-members alike. Others such as O'teil Burbridge and Al Green have played as well.
[edit] RA Programs
RA programs are activities planned by the RA's in JAM, and have encompassed a myriad of activities such as Argentinian crepe making, Latino-Israeli dance, S'more making, and Fireside Chats. They help to create a better sense of community within the hall, and appeal to almost everyone's tastes.
[edit] Coffeehouse
Coffeehouse is a monthly JAM event that allows the individuals within the community to showcase their special musical (and other) talents. Each RA is required to host one per semester, and they usually occur on the first Sunday of every month. The event also has free food and (of course) coffee, along with other beverages. Sometimes the last coffeehouse of the semester will become a competition, and prizes are then awarded.
[edit] Non-RA Programs
[edit] Cornstock
Gloriously outside, this musical showcase displays some of the finest talents on campus. The Cornstock event is not strictly a JAM event, but is usually unsuccessful unless JAM gets behind it.
[edit] The Jammies
The Jammies are Jam's own version of the Grammys, but instead of strictly rewarding musical achievement, JAM honors it's residents with awards. Sky's the Limit does the majority of awards, with voting based categories ranging from personality traits like "Awkwardest Jammy" and "Sweetest Jammy" to stylish and random things such as "Nice Pants!" and "Most Likely to Succeed in Escaping From Your Face" to the more traditional awards such as "Best JAM Band" and "Best Performance". The RAs also have awards to give out, with sometimes silly, sometimes sweet awards, and then the RHD gives out the much coveted JAMMY for Life awards, which gives the recipient free out of house status in the dorm for the rest of their Cornell career. They occur at the end of the spring semester, and usually get the best turnout of any JAM program. The categories and awards change every year.
[edit] JAM BBQs
Each year, it is tradition for JAM to have a big outdoors barbeque for its residents. Free to all Jammies, filled with music, food and fun, these activities are something that many look forward to.
[edit] The JAM Sleepover
Don't be fooled by the name- every spring semester the Jammies drag their matresses into the main lounge and do everything but sleep. There is usually a colored food theme and a ton of different games and activities, all not following the ridiculously amusing schedule of events that Sky's the Limit puts out every year.
[edit] Groups within JAM
[edit] Musicom
Musicom is similar to a hall council for other dorms; it is where JAM allocates its funding, votes on important dorm-related issues, gives people a chance to make announcements (both musical and general) and learn about the goings on of different units, the RHD, and groups within JAM.
[edit] Sky's The Limit
This group meets once a week to plan programs for the community. They handle several important recurring JAM events, such as the Jammies (JAM's annual award ceremony), as well as create new events within the dorm.
[edit] JAM Bands
Every semester more musically talented individuals come to live in JAM, and some of them form in-house bands. Some of these grow to be quite popular within the area, and some fail, but while they're around, they make their presence known at events.
