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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Demondra Martin performs her song "Affirmations" with keyboardist Avi Correa.

Night two of Chico Unplugged brings down the house

Michaela Harris, A&E Editor // April 21, 2022

Chico Unplugged returned for its second round at Madison Bear Garden on April 12 with a new set of performers. The singer-songwriter competition featured 17 artists, the majority of whom performed in...

First place Chico Unplugged winner Aaron Gee performs his original song ¨I´ll Be Fine¨ at Madison Bear Garden

Chico Unplugged rocks out with three winners

Michaela Harris, A&E Editor // April 11, 2022

The annual singer-songwriter competition Chico Unplugged finished its first round on April 5. It featured 11 artists performing various styles ranging from reggae to pop to rap. The event is open to...

The stage of Chico Unplugged.

Turn it up at ‘Chico Unplugged!’

Jolie Asuncion, Social Media Editor // November 15, 2021

Madison Bear Garden was packed on Nov. 9 after “Chico Unplugged,” the annual acoustic singer-songwriter competition held by Chico State’s School of the Arts. The second event will take place on...

The Living Room Gallery may have started from a school project, but with help from colleagues, Holland has started a full-fledged brand that will only grow from here.

Living Room Gallery provides a new platform for local artists

Thomas Stremfel, Reporter // October 30, 2020

Eric Holland is enrolled at Chico State as a Music Industry and Recording Arts major, and what started as one of his school assignments has evolved into a project on Instagram called Living Room Gallery....

An exterior shot of Laxson Auditorium at Chico State

Student musicians and employees of SOTA continue to struggle with quarantine

Melissa Joseph, Staff Writer // May 6, 2020

With citizens forced to quarantine and almost all events in the city cancelled, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Chico State School of the Arts to cancel all productions. SOTA and Laxson Auditorium...

A sign posted on the window of the Laxson Auditorium box office stating all Chico Performances, North State Symphony and School of the Arts shows have been canceled.

Chico State arts programs are planning for a semester online

Danielle Kessler and Kati Morris // May 4, 2020

With the university’s shift to online instruction, many arts programs have found new ways to adapt. With in-person classes already canceled and potentially next semester, events are being reimagined...

Left to right: Magenta (Makenzie Ryan), Dr. Frank N' Furter (Juan Bolaños), and Riff Raff (Brandon Burchard). Photo credit: Angel Ortega

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” delivers an erotically fun show

Angel Ortega // October 23, 2019

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” was a gritty and gruesome, yet erotically captivating musical production. The musical, produced by Chico State’s School of the Arts (SOTA), was originally...

Winners of 'Chico Unplugged' pose together. Photo credit: Abram Melendez

Chico Unplugged presents the creative heart of the community

Abram Melendez // October 8, 2019

The Chico Unplugged contest began at Madison Bear Garden on Thursday. This Chico State School of the Arts event is an American Idol-style competition in which contestants play two songs. After everyone...

Leighton Fong on cello (right), Bradley Martin on piano, Anna Presler on violin (left) perform at Zingg Recital Hall at Chico State. Photo credit: Melissa Joseph

Soloists perform lauded classical pieces

Melissa Joseph // September 10, 2019

Four soloists took on the grueling challenge of recreating the masterpieces of Beethoven, Schubert and Hindemith Sunday afternoon at Zingg Recital Hall. The soloists included cellist Leighton Fong, clarinetist...

Chico State's Chamber Singers performing "And the Earth Sings," during a choir concert curated by School of the Arts, commemorating Earth Day. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

School of the Arts hosts final choir concert of the semester

Angel Ortega // April 29, 2019

The Chico State Department of Music and Theatre held a choir concert, featuring Chico State’s Chamber Singers and Acappella Choir, Saturday at the Harlen Adams Theatre. The concert, titled, “And...

Helena anguishes over her unrequited love for her sister's fiance in "The River Bride." Photo credit: Jason Halley - University Photographer

“The River Bride” brings magic and heartache to Chico State

Rayanne Painter // April 7, 2019

There’s no fairy godmother to save the day, or happily ever after while riding off into the sunset. This isn’t a typical Walt Disney fairytale.Chico State School of the Arts’ Department...

A violinist from New Music Symposium concentrates while playing the beginning of Terry Riley's "In C" at Rowland-Taylor Recital Hall. Photo credit: Rayanne Painter

Chico State musicians tackle Terry Riley’s ‘In C’

Rayanne Painter // March 3, 2019

Ever read “choose your own adventure” books as a child? Chico State’s New Music Symposium recreated just that, but with music and rhythm.Guest composer Terry Riley joined the audience...

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