This week was supposed to be a week of new music and performances. Members of WFAL-AM and WBGU-FM were scheduled to attend the annual College Music Journal Music Marathon in New York City. According to Chuck Hoy, advisor for the two radio stations, those attending from WFAL were supposed to leave last night at around 6 p.m. WBGU staff members were scheduled to leave the airport on Thursday.
However, after the terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon, no one will be going anywhere. The University and the Department of Telecommunications made the decision to cancel the trip.
According to WFAL station manager Steve Coco, several students had sent him e-mails saying they did not want to fly to the conference. There were also concerns addressed by parents of those students who were attending the event.
“Under the circumstances I think the Department of Telecommunications and the University made the right call,” said Adam Marier, WBGU programming director, “Conferences come and go. This is an issue of national concern.”
What is unclear is whether the event is still taking place. “We’ve haven’t been able to get a hold of anyone at the marathon,” Coco said.
WBGU budget manager Scott Caster had slightly better luck. He went to the CMJ web site looking for phone numbers. “I did get through,” he said. However he said he was only able to leave messages on voice mail. “I couldn’t get any confirmation,” he said.
While students were thinking about the trip that never happened, Hoy had a different reaction when he heard about the attacks in New York. “I thought that I was there just a month ago [on top of the World Trade Center towers],” he said, “I am from there. There is a personal connection.” Hoy does have friends in that area, but he was able to get in touch with all of them, and none were hurt.
Hoy also said that he knew the students were upset about not attending, but that they also understand the situation. “I keep thinking about how many people are going to be going in and out of those New York hospitals,” Marier said.
The CMJ Music Marathon is an annual event that showcases the latest music and the newest talent. There are showcases and special performances. There was also a planned screening of the film “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Artists who were slated to perform included Coldplay, Ben Folds, Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros) and Phish’s Trey Anastasio. Guitarist Dave Navarro was to be the keynote speaker.
