Release Date: March 31, 2006

MONMOUTH, Ill. — As part of his culminating senior project for a degree in music from Monmouth College, senior Brad Dix of Farmington, along with members of his rock band, will present an evening of contemporary rock music at the Bijou Pub in Monmouth on April 7 from 9 p.m. until midnight. In addition to some original pieces by Dix, the program will also include some popular blues and country favorites.

There is a minimum charge of $1 per person, and tickets will be available at the door. The Bijou Pub is located at 225 South Main Street.

According to Stephen Richter, Dix’s adviser and director of instrumental activities at the college, the senior project involves arranging all the logistics of the concert, including securing a venue, employing musicians, promoting the event and composing and performing a half dozen of his own original compositions.

Dix’s band also includes MC seniors Matt Stubbs and Nick Harvey, both of Peoria, and Zac Pedigo of Galesburg, a 2003 graduate. Dix will also invite other Monmouth College and community musicians to join him and his band to “jam” to some old rock and roll favorites by the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival and others.

Dix, who plays guitar and drums, is also an accomplished singer. During his time at Monmouth, he has been active as an instrumentalist with the college’s Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble and has sung with the Chorale. He is also a founding member of the newly-formed Fighting Scots Marching Band, which has played at college sporting events and college and community parades.

Richter says Dix’s senior project is a “multi-faceted endeavor that combines his music acumen with his business savvy.” In addition to staging the concert for his senior project, Dix also had to secure an appropriate charity to receive any profits from the concert. He chose Music Rising, an organization founded by U2’s The Edge. The charity is raising funds to buy instruments for jazz musicians who lost their instruments during Hurricane Katrina.

Following graduation, Dix plans eventually to pursue a Ph.D. degree in music business so he can teach in higher education.

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