Success Story: The Accidentals – From NMC Children’s Choir to indie fame

Dec 2, 2015 | Intercom, Student News

December 2, 2015

The Accidentals are used to getting shout-outs, from the likes of Billboard Magazine, music festival insiders, and, of course, the audiences who flock to their rootsy, genre-bending shows.

But back home in Traverse City, where they’ve just returned from a West Coast tour swing, Savannah Buist, 20, and Katie Larson, 19, have saved up some shout-outs of their own.

Like to the entire NMC music department, which last year helped Buist score one of The Accidentals’ songs for performance by the 72-piece Traverse Symphony Orchestra. A violinist herself, Buist recalls adjunct instructor Mike Hunter’s comment about her original arrangement for the horn section.

“ ‘You forgot to let them breathe,’ ” she said, with a laugh. With the assistance of Hunter, Dorothy Vogel, Scott Sorenson, Laurie Sears and others, however, the Accidentals and the TSO pulled off the piece.

Buist and Larson have barely had time to breathe themselves this year, playing 230 shows along with recording and touring drummer Michael Dause. Even at home they’ll stay busy, like with a live performance on radio station WNMC at 2 p.m. Thursday. (Buist also guest-DJs for the station late nights when she can.)

Described by one music blogger as “the best unsigned band in America,” both Buist and Larson’s vocal resumes include singing in the NMC Children’s Choir. Larson, chiefly a cellist, recalls her nervousness at auditioning a cappella. She did it, though, and said the lesson is still relevant to the Accidentals.

“The thing that has gotten us this far is pushing out of the comfort zone,” she said.

Instructor Patrick Niemisto, who worked one-on-one with Buist when she was in the Audio Tech program, recalled her enthusiasm for learning. Even though she already played violin, bass and piano, she was interested in learning mandolin from him. (Between them, the Accidentals play a dozen instruments.)

“We would swap tunes, and improvise over the top of things,” he said. “I learned as much from her as she did from me.”

After meeting at Traverse City West High School, the pair transferred to the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Buist graduated in 2013 and Larson in 2014. Buist then earned an Audio Technology certificate at NMC before they decided to pause their formal educations to dedicate themselves full-time to The Accidentals.

“It was really a hard decision not to go to school,” said Larson, who described them as “obsessed with reading and learning and research.”

On the other hand, focusing exclusively on music has paid off.

“It’s been amazing to see what kind of success you get,” Larson said.

At the top of their 2016 goal list is a new album. Then, they hope to return to some of the cities where their fan base is strongest. That would include Traverse City, where the love is mutual.

“Anything in Traverse City has had some part in shaping who we are,” said Larson.

Free NMC Hip Hop demonstration

Dec 1, 2015 | Intercom, Student News

NMC Hip Hop presents a free demonstration of dance from past and present students. December 14 at 7:15 p.m. at the Dennos Museum. All are welcome! Let’s keep dance alive! (more…)

Enjoy holiday music throughout December

Nov 30, 2015 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY — Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season with NMC’s performance ensembles at one of the following shows in December:

• Friday, December 4: NMC Chamber Singers and NMC Vocal Jazz Ensemble present holiday music for voices. 7:30 p.m., Central United Methodist Church. Suggested donations $10 adults, $5 students and seniors. (231) 995-1338.
• Sunday, December 6: NMC Jazz Bands Winter Jazz Ensemble Showcase. 7 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets available at mynorthtickets.com and at the door.
• December 12 and 13: NMC’s Grand Traverse Chorale and Children’s Choir join the Traverse Symphony Orchestra for their Home for the Holidays concert. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 3 p.m. Dec. 13, Lars Hockstad Auditorium. (231) 947-7120 (TSO). Tickets available at mynorthtickets.com
• Monday, December 14: Hip hop demonstration by NMC hip hop. 7:15 p.m. Milliken Auditorium. Free.
• Tuesday, December 15: NMC Concert Band holiday concert. 7:30 p.m., Milliken Auditorium. Tickets available at the door and at mynorthtickets.com.

Read more about NMC’s performance ensembles, which include students and community members, and music programs »

Release date: November 30, 2015

For more information:

Jeffrey Cobb
NMC Director of Music Programs
(231) 995-1338
jecobb@nmc.edu

Quit like a champion- Great American Smoke Out

Nov 19, 2015 | Intercom, Student News

Taking place on Thursday, November 19- This is the day to quit! Because when you win one day, you can win them all.

Stop by Student Health Services and see human lungs and get the resources you need. Trade in your tobacco for a surprise! (more…)

Student Research Conference: National hunger and homelessness awareness week

Nov 17, 2015 | Intercom, Student News

On Wednesday, Nov. 18 come take part in events for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Events take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and include: (more…)

NMC, TC Police open satellite police office on campus

Nov 17, 2015 | Intercom, Student News

TRAVERSE CITY – Northwestern Michigan College and the Traverse City Police Department opened a satellite office on NMC’s main campus today, an effort to build upon existing communication and partnership between the college and law enforcement.

The satellite, or sector office, is co-located in the NMC security office in West Hall. Officers will have a desk, computer and phone available 24 hours a day.

NMC Assistant Director of Security Jim White initiated the idea of a satellite police office on campus proactively, not due to any increase in crime. Traverse City officers already conduct vehicle patrols of campus. The satellite office will serve as a base from which officers can establish face-to-face relationships and learn the needs of the campus community.

“Our faculty, staff, students can get to know the officers that work this area, give us more of a one-on-one relationship with local law enforcement,” White said.

TCPD Interim Chief Jeff O’Brien said the satellite office fits with his goal to restructure the TCPD along a community policing model. The department has operated one other satellite office, in the emergency room at Munson Medical Center, since January 2010.   

“It falls in line with that philosophy, that concept. This is a prime example of how you decentralize an agency,” O’Brien said. “Any time we can get our guys out of the car, it’s a good thing. They’re going to meet staff, and make friends, go out for coffee.”

White called the new office a “win-win.” In the wake of events like the Oct. 1 shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, a more visible police presence could provide both deterrence and reassurance.

There is no cost to NMC, which will continue to contract with Grand Rapids-based DK Security to provide private security on all four campuses.

“This is not costing the college anything, this is not costing the taxpayers anything. This is just to have exposure,” O’Brien said. “We’re thinking about safety of the students, we’re thinking about having a plan, we’re thinking about a partnership with the police department, the college, security.”

RELEASE DATE: November 17, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jim White
NMC Assistant Director of Security
(231) 995-1939
jwhite@nmc.edu

Jeff O’Brien
TCPD Interim Chief
(231) 995-5170
jobrien@traversecitymi.gov

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