Live country, rock ‘n’ roll, and Disney music rang through the Grewcock Student Union Friday evening after the annual Concert on the Quad moved inside due to weather obstacles. Fresh Meckleys’ Flavor Fruit Farm donuts, hot Checker Records coffee, picnic blankets, and bright sunflowers transformed the regular lounge into a cozy yet loud and crowded auditorium. 

With the last minute decision to move the concert on the quad inside, the Student Activities Board worked to establish a similar environment for the beloved event, SAB event team lead and junior Josiah Jagoda said. 

“We made the decision about two hours ago,” Jagoda said. “The audio visual weren’t able to set up, and they were worried about the equipment getting damaged, which is a valid concern. So they asked that we do it in the union, which we’ve done before. It didn’t change much except the location.” 

Junior Hannah Arends has attended Concert on the Quad for the past two years and said the change inside was a surprising but fun mix-up. 

“I’m really impressed with how SAB was able to deal with the change in weather and still create a fun and cozy event,” Arends said.

Jagoda said the location switch altered the overall presentation of the event but not the logistics or performances. 

“It changes the energy, like, people aren’t sitting in the grass, so it’s picnicky, which is what I personally like about the image, but it’s a little lighter and more cozy,” Jagoda said. 

Concert on the Quad provides an opportunity for students to dip their toe in performing either music covers or their own pieces, according to Jagoda.

“The idea is we want to encourage people who are trying to break into the live music scene,” Jagoda said. “We’re just giving them the chance to do that.” 

Junior Caleb Bigler made his debut through performing country music. Having only ever sang in front of people while leading worship, Bigler said performing country was a fun change of pace. He said he appreciated SAB moved the concert inside because it created a more personal, close environment.

“I love when people sing along, and they did,” Bigler said. “You can definitely hear their involvement more since it’s inside.” 

Junior Donny McArdle performed for his third year in a row. He sang some originals for the very first time to an audience. 

“My style is kind of more like older sounding rock, and this set I’ll do the most of my original music,” McArdle said moments before taking the stage. 

For the first time, McArdle performed with an electric, rather than his normal acoustic, guitar. 

“It’ll be interesting using an electric guitar, which I rarely do,” McArdle said. “ I’m planning on this either crashing and burning in the best way possible, or it’ll just go well.”

Sophomore Emil Schlueter also took the stage for his first time, performing old country songs.

“He basically made his grand Hillsdale debut,” junior Lucy Griffin said. “There have been a few moments in college when you see a younger performer, and they aren’t what you’re expecting, like they’re really good. Everyone got into it and supported him.”

Griffin compared Schlueter’s performance to the Schismatics debut in April of 2022 at CHP Showdown. The students loved his style — ’60s duets, Irish songs, country, and “Starting Over” by Chris Stapleton. People chanted his name, swayed, and sang along beaming from ear to ear. 

After his final chord, his track team and friends surrounded him in excitement as he exited the stage. 

As the rain and wind blew across the quad, the eclectic performances inside matched the comfortable atmosphere as students continued drinking coffee, eating donuts, and even enjoying late night AJ’s meals at Concert in the Union.