Many Cornell freshmen find themselves herded into one of the University’s many fraternities’ boisterous parties sometime between Thursday and Saturday night of their first week on campus. At times, letting loose and grinding to The Black Eyed Peas seems like the best way to forget your 12 prelims and five papers due Monday. But most often, these parties lead to a pounding headache from the pack of girls shouting, “My Hump, My Hump, My Hump, My Humps” straight into your eardrums. Not to worry. Within Cornell University and in the surrounding Ithaca area there exists a diverse and vibrant music scene: a tasty treat, if you would rather pass on the Peas.

Ever since The Grateful Dead performed at Barton Hall on May 8, 1977, the Cornell Concert Commission has brought countless impressive acts to the University. Some of these artists include: Bruce Springsteen, The Beach Boys, Ray Charles and Bob Dylan. Within the past two semesters, CCC has brought The Strokes, Trey Anastasio and Twista. The Commission is made up of over 200 student members and open to all students to join.

CCC may be impressive in scale, but another student-run group, The Fanclub Collective has an uncanny knack for discovering underground talent and bringing these acts to Cornell before they explode in popularity. In the past, Fanclub has hosted Arcade Fire, Interpol and Of Montreal. Just this year, Fanclub hosted Girl Talk, Chin up Chin up and the Mountain Goats. Hosting as many as three shows per month in intimate settings, such as Appel Commons and Carol Becker House, Fan Club provides the foundation for an exciting and original music community at Cornell. Jeremy Bolen, lead singer of Chin up Chin up, said that the Fanclub Collective put on the best college shows in the country after his band’s Fanclub-sponsored show.

Along with the student groups who bring professional bands to the area, there are many Collegetown venues at which student bands can perform, such as the Nines on College Ave. and ABC Café on Stewart Ave — both offer open mics regularly.