How The Green Music Center is Dynamic in More Ways than One – Sonoma State Star

As the home of Sonoma State University’s music department, the Green Music Center has become one of the pillars of the university and the local community for the music and entertainment which it provides.

However, some students may be unaware of the opportunities and events that the GMC has to offer, including major ticket discounts for some performances. With musical guests such as this week’s Chris Thile, there’s no time like the present to take advantage of these benefits, which have made the GMC the pillar of community that it now is.

“Students can get $10 tickets or 50% off tickets for most performances,” said Andy Shepard, the Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications at the GMC. Once an SSU student himself, Shepard wants people to know about the benefits they gain just by being a student. 

“Last year we had ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, and that was very popular,” said Shepard. “We also had The Beach Boys, and a ton of students came to that.”

The GMC’s accessibility to students and community members have allowed it to become a staple of not just SSU, but the local community as well. Current SSU student Natalia Prieto, who is part of the mentorship program at the GMC and has been a mentee for two semesters, strongly advocates for her peers to take advantage of the opportunities the GMC has to offer. 

“It’s impressive how much community the Green Music Center brings not just SSU, but to the people who live around here,” said Prieto. “I thought they were just focusing only on students, but they’re focused on all of Rohnert Park.”

There’s much to be discovered at the GMC, and many are often left surprised when they find something they wouldn’t usually go for. Take for example Jana Ponce, an SSU alumni and the current Communications Manager for the GMC, who recalls working at a concert happening at Schroeder Hall during her time at SSU.

At the time, the GMC was collaborating with Lobo’s Pantry, collecting donations for students before winter break. One of the students who was a volunteer for Lobo’s Pantry attended the concert starring Andrew York, and told Ponce that it was one of the best concerts she’s been to. As an alumni, she advocates that SSU students try something they would not usually go for. 

“There’s a lot to be discovered here, that’s what college is about, expanding your horizons,” Ponce said. “It’s about trying to look for something you haven’t heard or experienced before… there is so much opportunity to be had here.”