As spring draws closer for the student body, the Campus Activities Board Concert (CAB) Committee is busy planning for the Big Concert despite recent drawbacks in the search for an entertainer.

The Big Concert program began in 2007 when an extra $10 from each student’s activity fee was allocated to bringing a well known entertainer to campus. To cover the cost of the performance, ticket sales from both students on campus and outside of the campus community are vital for making the concert work. Proceeds from the concert are expected to roll over into upcoming years to fund the next Big Concert, or to go toward other student activities such as homecoming festivities.

Last fall, the Concert Committee conducted two polls within the student body in order to decide which entertainers to reach out to for a performance on campus in the spring. The first poll provided a list of twelve entertainers, which was then narrowed down to a poll of five. The top two choices as voted on by the student body for the spring concert were Jason Derulo as first choice by a notably wide margin and Sara Bareilles as second.

“The other three options in the poll received such a low percentage of the vote even collectively that we made a choice not to pursue them. Because ticket sales are such an important part of making these concerts happen now and in the future, as a committee we decided it was in the best interest to pursue other popular options that were not previously considered. Due to this year’s larger budget, it is more vital than ever before to put on a sold out show,” Matthew Wasson, chair of the Concert Committee, said.

Wasson cited that the many factors that influence the decision of who to bring to campus make the process very complicated.

“It is not just about who we want or who we can afford. That is the easy part. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. We have to consider production costs, the dates each entertainer would be available, if they play college shows, if they have enough of a following in the surrounding areas to sell out and recoup the cost of the concert through ticket sales and so on,” he said.

This year marks the first year that the CAB Concerts Committee has needed to come up with a backup plan for entertainment, however. “I guess it is just a fact of life that you are not going to always get your first pick,” Wasson said.

Following the dilemma with the first two artists, the committee met with the intermediary agent working to assist the committee with lining up artists, research, and the contractual process.

Over January Interim Experience, the Big Concert Forum was held to allow students the opportunity to learn more about the process and what was going on, to give feedback, and to discuss the new artist list. On Jan. 18, 2011, the CAB Concert Committee met with a group of around thirty students who chose to attend and be a part of the process.

“I am very appreciative of the students that attended. It was a very diverse audience with people from all spectrums of musical tastes but everyone was very polite, controlled and understanding. A lot of questions were asked about the process, what would happen as we moved forward, and then came the deciding process on whom to bring now that the first two entertainers did not work out,” Wasson said.

Students in attendance expressed approval of the work the committee has done so far in arranging an alternative plan.

“While I wish that the student body had been polled in selecting the favorite of the five choices, I am understanding and appreciative of the work that the committee is doing. It is a tough situation and I feel as though they are doing the best they can to manage it,” Tom Lany, one of the students in attendance at the Forum, said.

From the new list of possible entertainers, the forum narrowed the options down to a top five. From there, the Concert Committee took responsibility for choosing the top act to perform in the spring based on input from the forum. The chosen act was pursued immediately with the sending of a time-sensitive bid.

“We have heard back some really good things from the agency which leads us to believe that we are really close to hearing some great news. If the selected option elects to accept, then the contract process will begin. Once both parties sign on the dotted line, the student body will finally be able to find out who will be coming to perform for them,” Wasson said. The committee is hoping to have a final word by the end of February, hopefully as soon as the time of the Student Involvement Fair.

Legal issues stand in the way of informing the student body as to which option from the forum’s list is the pending entertainment.

Wasson indicated that any feedback or questions pertaining to the Big Concert is more than welcome either by emailing him personally or by visiting CAB’s blog on the Gustavus website or by sending a Tweet.

“This has always been and will continue to be the most important part of the Campus Activities Board, to enrich the campus life experience by encouraging the involvement of all students in entertainment that is engaging and enjoyable. We thank you for your patience and understanding and assure you we are continuing to work diligently to ensure a very successful and memorable spring Big Concert,” Wasson said.