April 9, 2025
Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor
Western’s music program is one of the university’s hidden gems. There are several music ensembles that students can join, including choirs, bands and orchestras. They host concerts, shows and many other events that are typically free for Western students.
If students are not in the music program but would like to participate in an ensemble, Concert Choir does not require an audition and students can earn one credit. It is also open to the public. Many of the other ensembles are open for non-music majors, however, most of them have an audition process.
According to Western’s catalog, the music department’s mission is to offer “comprehensive programs and services to students and the surrounding community, including professional and liberal arts degrees in music and an active schedule of performances. The department supports large and small ensembles in vocal and instrumental music and up-to-date facilities for electronic music production and recording.”
April 2, two professional musicians led a workshop for music students and afterward had a free concert in Smith Hall that was open to the public.
Musicians Merideth Kaye Clark and Jenn Grinels both have individual music careers but came together to create music under the name “Siren Songs.” They released one album in 2020 — also titled “Siren Songs” — and have released many singles and covers.
Clark and Grinels are both independent artists, composers, instrumentalists and vocalists. Although Siren Songs make mainly folk and Americana, they both have roots in musical theater, having met each other while performing in the same musical. Clark has starred in many beloved roles, such as Elphaba in Wicked in the touring Broadway cast (1st National Tour).
In 2024, Grinels composed a musical of her own for B-Side Theatricals that has been a finalist for several awards. A song from the musical “Goodbye Sun, Hello Moon” was released as one of Siren Songs’ singles. They chose this song in particular to release because, according to Grinels, the single is one of the only songs in the musical that fits the genre of folk, with the other songs leaning more towards classic musical theater.
The concert opened with Clark and Grinels singing three songs — two originals and one Joni Mitchell cover. The stage was filled with many instruments that were played throughout the concert, including guitar, a banjo, a viola, a tambourine and even a dulcimer — an instrument of the zither family.
After they had sung, the duo opened the stage to the students who had participated in the workshop. The students performed a wide range of songs, including genres of pop, musical theater and R&B. In total there were six students who sang in front of Siren Songs and the audience.
Then, after the students had showcased what they had learned in the workshop, Clark and Grinels finished the concert with a 45-minute set of songs. The set was a mix of songs from the Siren Songs album and a few of their newer singles. Their most recent single, entitled “April,” was released March 28, 2025.
The last song they played was “For Good” from Wicked. With Western being the last stop of their spring tour, they thought they would give the audience a treat by singing a duet from one of the most beloved musicals.
This concert and showcase is just one of the many events put on by Western’s music department. At the end of each term, each ensemble performs in a concert. There are also other events similar to Siren Songs’ concert. April 12, the Beo String Quartet will be performing in Rice Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
For more information about creative arts events at Western, visit the 2025 spring term events schedule.
Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu
