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The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

Do not miss these fall student concerts

Do not miss these fall student concerts
Here is how, when and where to see student performances this semester.
Emily Coffey, Managing Editor October 26, 2021

Due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases earlier in the semester, many of the Conservatory’s concerts were canceled in accordance with new guidelines. Due to a much lower case count, Biola lifted restrictions, meaning that music and theatre students can return to performing again. Here is when and where...

The commercial music program reels from pandemic stress

Student music majors practice outside of the Biola Worship Building.
Students work to restructure the music community on campus after being gone for over a year.
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer October 21, 2021

Inside the small commercial music building below the library, a thriving community of songwriters and singers are returning to their art. The return has not come without challenges and setbacks, including canceled concerts and Zoom classes. Students and faculty offered their own perspectives on what...

FINNEAS releases mostly melancholic and nondescript ‘Optimist’

FINNEAS releases mostly melancholic and nondescript ‘Optimist’
The album fails to break ground, featuring only a few good tracks.
Emily Coffey, Managing Editor October 19, 2021

“Optimist” dropped Oct. 15, already garnering millions of streams on Spotify alone. From re-defining the industry with sister Billie Eilish, Finneas O'Connell’s own album dares high numbers from his notoriety alone. The expectations for it, however, are equally high.  OPTIMISM DASHED  The album...

Class of ‘14 alumnus Daniel Pimentel talks album making in Honduras

Class of ‘14 alumnus Daniel Pimentel talks album making in Honduras
“Fear and Trembling” is a relic of deep Old Testament theology and Pimentel’s long-time passion for music.
Emily Coffey, Managing Editor October 14, 2021

Daniel Pimentel graduated in 2014 with a degree in cinema and media arts with a focus on production. The next eight years of his life would be split between being a youth pastor in Salt Lake City, Utah then moving to Honduras, doing volunteer work and audio and video production for a bilingual school....

Artist Alessia Cara releases full-length album

Artist Alessia Cara releases full-length album
“In the Meantime” is a positive sonic evolution, but lacks definition.
Emily Coffey, Managing Editor September 25, 2021

“In The Meantime” released on Sept. 24 as the next installment of Alessia Cara’s bright, youthful and highly successful career. Although the lyrics fail to reach new depths, there are moments where emotion shines through and the music aligns. It speaks of past dysfunctional relationships and explores...

CMA students and commercial music alumna unite to create “Banana Pop”

CMA students and commercial music alumna unite to create “Banana Pop”
Aluma Ellery Sablan and crew discuss the filmmaking process behind the music video for “Banana Pop.”
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer September 23, 2021

Filming for “Banana Pop” began on Sept. 3, a unique collaboration between commercial music alumna Ellery Sablan and cinema and media arts students. The music video reflects the sentiments of Sablan’s single about heartbreak and the longing to experience happiness again.   With help from her...

“Star-crossed” fails to meet expectations

“Star-crossed” fails to meet expectations
Kacey Musgraves explores heartbreak with very little to remember afterward.
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer September 14, 2021

Kacey Musgraves hit her peak with 2018’s “Golden Hour.” What could have been a classic case of a country artist selling out to make pop music resulted in a joyous musical experience filled with expertly crafted songs about newfound love. Now, the divorce of her husband inspired the album “star-crossed.”...

Kanye West drops long-awaited “Donda” album

Kanye West drops long-awaited “Donda” album
West’s magnum opus is filled with some of his highest highs and mediocre lows.
Chris Charpentier, Staff Writer August 31, 2021

The “Donda” album released Sunday at 5 a.m. on Aug. 29 — marking a surreal moment for Kanye’s listeners. The lead-up itself was anything but ordinary, from three unique listening parties that stirred drama, to multiple release date announcements featuring different album covers. With no reliable...

The best student pandemic projects this year

The best student pandemic projects this year
Check out just a few ways students went outside the box to create art during online classes.
Emily Coffey, Managing Editor May 1, 2021

MAKE A THING  Senior art major Caylie Smith faced the problem many art majors also faced in the pandemic: how to display a typically in-person exhibit online. Smith devised a plan to not only engage students online but also have them create a physical piece that was displayed on an Instagram account,...

Groove through the semester with these 2021 singles

Groove through the semester with these 2021 singles
As the end of the semester draws near, check out some of these singles released over the past few months.
Lauren McBride, Senior Copy Editor April 17, 2021

“Shy Away” by Twenty One Pilots Known for their cryptic storylines and music dealing with mental health, Twenty One Pilots ventures into the indie pop genre with “Shy Away.” More upbeat than their typical hard-hitting, emotional tracks, the song is cheerful, while still including some heavy...

Ensembles focus on recording amid COVID-19

Commercial music majors Connor Martin and Hope Langston perform covers.
Commercial music ensembles remain unable to perform live, but gain valuable recording experience.
Lauren McBride, Senior Copy Editor April 11, 2021

Commercial music ensembles are one of the unlucky groups on campus remaining online after phase three. After a full, exasperating year of online classes during COVID-19, ensembles continue to run into difficulties, yet obtain valuable learning experience they would not have otherwise had. DEMO DOWNSIDES Although...

Biola students highlight importance of supporting women

Biola students highlight importance of supporting women
Two Biola students use their platform to explore femininity and share the struggles women go through on a daily basis.
Maria Weyne, News Editor April 1, 2021

Despite women’s history month coming to a close on March 31, junior psychology major Alexandra Artuso and senior cinema and media arts major Bree Mays share the same sentiment toward celebrating minorities beyond their respective months.  MORE THAN JUST A MONTH  “I think it’s really great to...