To bring the community together to celebrate art and music, the Pepperdine Student Programming Committee hosts the annual Pacific Sounds Music and Arts Festival. PSMA Concerts features student and guest musicians, showcases student art exhibits, and hosts food trucks and activities for attendees on March 23 at Alumni Park.
PSMA is one of Pepperdine’s major traditions sponsored by the Student Programming Committee. Student musicians and artists say they always look forward to showcasing their hard work at PSMA events.
“I’m very excited for our two student performers,” said Julia Johnson, a member of the Student Programming Committee. “We’re bringing it back this year — it’s not something we’ve done specifically for this event in a few years — so I’m glad we get to enjoy the work of the student artists.”
Press play septet
The concert kicked off with the student band Press Play Septet. Band members include junior vocalist Kiara Bromberg, vocalist and Pepperdine Graphic Media designer, senior drummer Thomas Lowe, senior guitarists Shaeffer Doyle and Garrett Podgorski, freshman saxophonist Amir Paridari, junior keyboardist Evan Herrera and sophomore bassist Jason Press.
Herrera said he started playing the keyboard at age six after being coaxed by his parents. Herrera is primarily self-taught in jazz.
“I met drummer Thomas formally through the Pepperdine Jazz Band,” Herrera said. “Then we found the others. There are seven now, which is great.
Paridari started playing saxophone when he was 9 or 10 years old Years old, he said. The musician elaborated on the spontaneous nature of the orchestra’s development.
“It was the most random recruitment,” Paridari said. “I was playing in the practice room, and Shaffer, the guitarist, knocked on the door and said, ‘Come play with us tonight.'” And we just played.
After the Press Play septet’s performance, the speakers blasted upbeat music for the next live artist.
Students enjoyed Korean Fusion Fire Rice Balls, the Cali Caribbean Tropical Truck and the Savage Taco Food Truck. A sand pit game and friendship bracelet making station, as well as a lighted Ferris wheel, entertained attendees.
Beth Gonzalez
Graphic senior life and arts reporter Beth Gonzales began her singing journey at age 7, receiving a guitar for her 12th birthday and starting writing songs in junior high.
“Singing has always brought me peace and joy,” Gonzalez said. “It’s something I like to do in my free time, but I also work in the music industry, so music is every part of my life.”
One of the original songs performed by Gonzalez included “Beauty and the Brain.” She said that much of the song was written during her time at the Pepperdine International Project in London.
“The crowd was really engaging, which was great,” Gonzalez said. “This has been a long set for me, and I’m really excited to be able to perform five songs, including some original songs. I’m so grateful for all the support from my friends and family. As a senior, it’s great to be able to It was really special to have that last hurray.
student art exhibition
In addition to this musical showcase, tables in Alumni Park include a QR code that leads to a digital student art exhibit. Students can view these drawings, photographs, paintings and other works of art during each intermission after a musical artist’s performance.
Junior Spencer Williams took a spontaneous photo album of his best friend at Leo Carillo Beach titled “It’s Better From Up Here!, 2023.” He said the beach was also the site of one of his last walks with his dying dog and was an overall representation of family, beauty and the love for him.
“The lifeguard tower shines a bright teal, and so many memories of my time on this beach shine brightly in my mind,” Williams said of his photo. “Find your beach before graduation—there are many to choose from!”
Senior Elizabeth Astin said that by watching enough sunrises, she noticed that there was a sustained but fleeting moment before the sun appeared when the entire sky turned pink. These brief moments of beauty inspired her painting Dawn, 2024.
“In my landscapes, I try to represent myself and my values,” Astin said. “Thanks to my family for inspiring me to be an artist, and to my sister Ali for teaching me to wake up 20 minutes before sunrise to watch a marshmallow sky.”
The concert continued as students enjoyed digital student art exhibits and events at Alumni Park. Following the student musicians, guest musicians Jim and Sam and Nicole McLean performed.
Special guest musicians
During their final song, Jim and Sam walked off the stage and sang into the audience, creating a personal, raw environment.
“Pepperdine is a beautiful place to play music,” Sam said. “It was so magical tonight, playing under the moonlight and looking out into the water. It was really special.
McLean ended the concert, encouraging the audience to sing and dance to her music under the stars. Students stood up from their blankets on the grass and jumped and moved to McLean’s songs.
“Together with the students on the Student Programming Committee, we have the opportunity to create an event that celebrates student art and music and brings in other musical talent,” Johnson said. “We get to enjoy the scenery as well as the Alumni Association’s beautiful park and talented art form.”
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Contact Madeline Del Rio via email: madeline.delrio@pepperdine.edu
