Larissa Auble doesn’t want people to come to her solo
concert just to hear her sing. The fourth-year musical theater
student wants those who attend her benefit concert on Sunday to
think.
“I do have something to say. It’s not like I have
someone writing the music for me and I’m just performing it
to make money. That’s not at all what I’m interested
in,” Auble said.
Auble, who will be performing a mix of original songs and covers
on Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Northwest Campus Auditorium, credits
Madonna with influencing her to make music with a message.
“She’s always trying to make some sort of statement.
She takes the music one step further and makes her fans
think,” Auble said. “They don’t have to agree
with her, but she brings the issues up.”
Two of the issues Auble would like her listeners to think about
are children’s rights and breast cancer, which is why the
proceeds collected from the $5 donations will be divided between
UNICEF and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
“Children don’t really have a say. If they are born
into a destitute country, they have as much right to having a
healthy life as we do in America,” Auble said. “They
just don’t have the resources, and UNICEF is really great
about trying to help children that don’t have the
opportunities we have.”
A daughter of a breast cancer survivor, Auble cites the
prevalence of breast cancer as her main reason for deciding to
donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
“I know a lot of people and families that have been
affected by breast cancer. It is really sad and it can tear
families apart. Almost everyone knows someone who has had cancer,
unfortunately. I feel like everybody should donate to (it) because
it affects everyone,” she said.
Auble’s performance will consist of her original pop/rock
songs and classic rock covers.
Listing influences that include her favorite artists ““
such as Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and of course Madonna ““ as well
as artists introduced to her by her parents ““ such as Janis
Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Creedence Clearwater Revival ““ Auble
describes writing and performing music as her biggest passion.
“In an ideal world I would love to be a recording
artist,” she said.
But she places her music’s integrity and message above the
entertainment spectacles she sees on stage and screen.
“Many female artists’ concerts nowadays are more of
a show to be watched and less about the music,” she said.
“I try to find a happy medium between that entertainment and
old-school concerts that have bands jamming with one color of
lights for the whole show.”
Auble described her idea for this benefit concert as the result
of combining her passion with her desire to help others.
“I really believe in using what you have to help other
people, so I always try to tie that in somehow,” she
said.
Helping others is what makes the difficulties of balancing
classes and homework, a common concern for many students, with
planning the show worthwhile.
“It’s been very exciting, very rewarding and very
stressful. I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time
so it’s not really work to me ““ it’s fun,”
Auble said. “It pays off to have an idea and follow through
with it.”
As for her feelings about the fast-approaching show date, Auble
is upbeat and optimistic.
“I’m really excited. And nervous,” she said,
laughing. “I really want people to come, but mostly I want to
raise money for these charities, even if people don’t come to
the concert.”