By Racheli Jian, Senior Arts & Culture Editor and Layout Editor
Shoeless bass players, “Jingle Bell Rock,” and disheveled wigs might have nothing in common on their own, but at the Music Club’s Open Mic Night, they were all used to bring personality into musical acts.
Despite its popularity, the Yeshiva University Music Club has only been around since fall 2022
The Music Club is a platform through which students can express themselves and showcase their talent and hard work. Whether competing in the club’s annual Battle of the Bands, showcasing comedic skills as an MC, or debuting music at Open Mic Night, the club gives students the resources to perform in front of over 100 of their peers.
One of the first acts at this year’s Open Mic Night was a performance of Hozier’s song “Too Sweet” by the band Help?. The TikTok hit, despite being used repeatedly on social media, was refreshed in Help?’s rendition with rich vocals and incredible accompaniment from drums, bass and guitar.
“This was my first time performing music in front of an audience,” Mei Blinkoff (SCW ‘27), the bassist in Help?, told the YU Observer, which was surprising, considering how cohesive the band sounded.
Avraham Frohlich (YC ‘25) showcased his original song “Concrete” with an acoustic guitar and stellar vocals. “Performing at Open Mic Night for the past three years has allowed me to try out different original songs and definitely influenced the way I’m currently recording my music,” he told the YU Observer. “Collaborating with different musicians and getting feedback from the audience has been a really valuable experience.”
The next band featured a fresh drumplayer, Aliza Rochwarger (SCW ‘25), who only started playing the instrument a few months ago. Despite her rookie level experience, she and the whole group performed Spotify Premium’s rendition of “Demons” perfectly.
Debuting an original, Tuvya Macklin (YC ‘25) played his song “It Won’t Fix Anything” on a ukulele. “It’s the first time I performed as a solo act,” Macklin told the YU Observer. Despite the nerves that most people would have if they were in his position, Maklin felt comfortable performing for this audience. “I’m experienced with the people that are there. Even with people that I don’t know from music club, I’ve seen them at past events.” Macklin’s performance and confidence goes to show the platform and motivation this event gives students.
While the night was largely for musically gifted performers, Open Mic Night isn’t only a way for students to show off their musical talents. Yechiel Amar (YC ‘26) showcased his comedic skills throughout the night as the MC. His transitions between the acts were seamless and added in his own personality while claiming that as an English major, it’s likely he would end up as a barista for most people in the room.
“After watching last year’s hosts for the battle of the bands, I thought it was something I could do and would enjoy.” Amar told the YU Observer. “I can’t really sing and the last thing I played on an instrument was old Macdonald on piano. But the joke telling was something my friends always appreciated so that was where I applied myself.”
There were many genres covered, but there was only one piece of classical music performed that night: After Rehearsal’s rendition of “Canon in D,” which received a standing ovation. Despite their dignified choice in music, the band balanced it by wearing playful sunglasses.
“I chose this piece because I felt like it would be widely appreciated, easy enough to work on in the time that we had, but complex enough to give those watching the enjoyment of watching a nice, advanced, classical performance,” Yosef Bensimon (SSSB ‘27), one of the violinists in After Rehearsal, told the YU Observer.
The emphasis on dress and presentation didn’t end with After Rehearsal’s sunglasses, but continued into the Norville performance. Stepping onto the stage with no shoes, and their iconic three eyed sunglasses, Norville, in its usual style from past Music Club events, performed a heavy metal original that was somehow headache-inducing but also exhilarating.
One of the acts that shocked the audience was Daughters of Lot. Starting off with “Jingle Bell Rock” to fit the holiday season, the main singer feigned disappointment in the song choice claiming it was “Avodah Zara,” so the band reset and started to play “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by Smashing Pumpkins. Ronnie Hidary (YC ‘27), the main singer, made use of the theatre by roaming around the audience while increasing in proximity to some members’ faces, leaning on the arguably unstable staircase, and even jumping from an audience member’s chair back onto the stage. Hidary told the YU Observer that while he usually prepared to get into character, this time it came a bit more “naturally,” although he “asked [his] bandmate to slap [him]” to fully get into the rock-and-roll persona he had to embody.
Open Mic Night spanned various genres, skills and personalities, turning out to be everything the audience expected from this impressive, well-known YU event. The night exemplified how the Music Club isn’t only a space for people to showcase skills they already have, but to provide them with the opportunity to learn an instrument they wouldn’t have otherwise. It also allows their peers who are audience members to be exposed to music that they wouldn’t normally listen to.
This collaborative community wasn’t just formed by chance. “I wanted to contribute to creating a space for people that love music,” Leora Benson (SCW ‘25), Co-President of the Music Club told the YU Observer.
From the minute of the first performance till the last strum of the guitar, the audience and performers were completely enthralled, not only by the music, but also by the community that this club created.
Photo Caption: Performers onstage at Open Mic Night
Photo Credit: Racheli Jian