Next Monday, students usually found in practice rooms will be under the spotlight, singing to an audience rather than a soundproof wall.
For many years, Bowdoin has offered students the opportunity to take personal music lessons and receive credit for the classes.
The program is perfect for students without previous experience in music because the lessons provide a safe environment for students to grow and work on their skills.
"It's great to watch your students come into their own, when originally they came up to me not sure if they could even sing, or afraid that their lack of musical background would prevent them from this program," said Applied Music Instructor Tracy MacLean, who offers vocal lessons to students.
MacLean specifically focuses on the genres of pop, jazz and Broadway, and has released two albums. She is part of the Edith Jones Project, a big band jazz group. She is currently teaching Maryellen Hearn '11, Claudia Williams '11, Mayra da Rocha '12 and Coretta King '12.
After two semesters of vocal lessons at Bowdoin, these four students are required to perform in a recital showcasing the techniques that they learned throughout the year.
For MacLean, Monday is a moment for her students to shine.
"It's great for the students to get to show the fruits of their labor in this performance, and for them to have their 'aha' moment," she said.
The recital will consist of students performing songs by Cole Porter, Christina Aguilera, Oscar Hammerstein, Thelonious Monk, Louis Jordan and others, while being accompanied by live instrumentals.
"These are not just the same songs being sung by different students; the students adapt the songs so that they fit their own personal style and flow," said MacLean.
Just as the show Glee modifies songs to make them more modern, her students add personal touches to provide a new interpretation.
"I think giving the opportunity for students to study and perform is invaluable," said Hearn. "I loved studying classical voice in high school and my first year here, but studying jazz voice for the past couple of years has been an excellent new exploration of improvisation, learning and strategically breaking a new set of rules, and taking risks."
Both MacLean and Senior Academic Department Coordinator Linda Marquis arranged the concert as part of the requirement for credit-earning students, and in hopes of encouraging others to take instrumental or vocal lessons.
Many students have found that lessons provide them with new outlooks for their future. Some find that they no longer have the black-and-white perspective they had in high school, due to the many doors that Bowdoin offers them.
Whether students choose to open those doors is up to them.
"This opportunity wasn't easily available to me previously, and I think it has changed how I plan to keep singing in my life post-college," said Hearn.
MacLean's pop and jazz recital will be held in Room 101 of Gibson Hall on Monday at 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.