By: Wynn McDonald
Last spring, the Bellarmine Activities Council (BAC) decided to make a change that carries significant implications for the future of entertainment on campus: from now on, the popular Hillside concert will become a biennial tradition, with 2019 being an off-year. This means for the first time since 1994—Bellarmine will not have a concert this year.
The Hillside concert series—so named for its original location, on the hill outside the former Brown Activities Center (now University Dining Hall)—has brought annual live performances to Bellarmine’s campus for decades, with headlining acts including Phillip Phillips, 21 Pilots, Jesse McCartney, Sarah Bareilles, MKTO, Maroon 5 and Widespread Panic. It follows in a tradition of on-campus shows that dates back to 1968, when the Grateful Dead stopped in for a set at the old Knights Hall.
“I just think [Hillside] is something that’s really unique,” said sophomore Allie Moore, who saw Cassadee Pope perform last year and enjoyed it. “That’s not an everyday experience for everybody, getting to go to a concert. So when it’s right on your campus, and it’s an artist with a recognizable name, it’s a pretty big deal.”
However, in recent years, attendance levels have gone down. The concert budget provided BAC by the Student Government Association has been reduced as a result, prompting reassessment of the tradition.
“The needs and wants of students and the administration are constantly changing, and it’s our job as BAC to make choices to best suit the majority of campus,” says BAC President Amelia Ernstberger. “It is important for students to understand we are working for them, so when attendance isn’t proving the work we’ve done, we try to reevaluate.”
To ensure that the voice of the Bellarmine populace was heard, the decision was made with consideration to the opinions of the student body.
“After asking students about their commitments to Hillside and having no one state they would be disappointed by moving the Hillside Concert to a biennial rotation, BAC felt this was a fiscally responsible and wise decision,” says Bryan Hamann, BU’s Assistant Director of Campus Traditions within the Student Activities Center, and official staff adviser to the BAC.
Moore said she is disappointed the concert will no longer happen every year. “I mean, I would personally like to see it happen every year, simply because it’s something to look forward to and it’s a tradition,” she said.
This change also affords the event planners an extra year’s worth of planning time, which will be used to expand the overall experience of the Hillside tradition, making it into more than just a simple two-act concert.
“I think this change will give students something exciting to look forward to as we work to revamp the future Hillside concerts,” Hamann said.
Hamann also said funds saved in this process could allow for exciting opportunities going forward, noting that brining in bigger-name acts for future concerts is an option providing financial flexibility.
One effect of the change is that Bellarmine students will now be able to attend only two Hillside concerts before they graduate. As part of the new proposal, BAC is working with the Alumni Office and Young Alumni Council to boost the Hillside atmosphere by establishing a greater alumni presence at the concert.
Says Ernstberger, “I think this year will pose questions to the student body, student affairs, and the Student Government Association to see where the future of this tradition will go.”
In the meantime, BAC is still exploring alternatives for the Hillside concert this year. Students are encouraged to share any ideas they may have through email at BAC1@bellarmine.edu or by stopping by the Student Activities Center at any time.