Chad Vasquez

A cultural aspect of Ohio University that sets it apart from other college campuses is its rich music diversity. Whether students go out for a night on the town or a walk through Baker Center, they will be exposed to music everywhere they go. 

 

One student who captures this diversity is OU Senior Chad Vasquez, a digital media major. His broad involvement on and off campus allows many people to experience his musicality. Chad does almost everything that involves music. He’s a member of the Marching 110 as well as the all-male a cappella group Leading Tones. Chad also works as a DJ at many events in Athens, including Dave Rave through the DJ club Evil Zebra. Chad is not only heavily involved with music; he excels well beyond the average music enthusiast. 

 

He’s been a part of the Marching 110 since his freshman year, securing a snare spot on the field when most who try out for the drum line only make alternate. “I took a risk on snare. I got lucky; most don’t make it with one instrument,” Chad says. 

 

His junior year, he was chosen to be a marching section leader and was recently promoted to music section leader for the upcoming year. He wrote several of the drum parts for the band’s two viral hits “Party Rock Anthem” and “Gangnam Style.” He was featured in Sway The Crowd’s video Most Exciting Band in the Land, a short documentary about the Marching 110’s recent success. 

 

Though his musical pursuits are more time-consuming in the spring, Chad’s DJing is becoming more popular than ever. He goes by the stage name Black Rabbit and performs at the Red Brick Tavern every Wednesday and Friday. He will be featured at 11 Fest, along with the Marching 110’s drum line, and Palmer Fest this year.

 

For Moms Weekend, Chad will be performing with the rest of the Leading Tones. “We will just be showing up and casually singing at bars uptown,” he says. Be sure to watch out for Chad and the Leading Tones toward the end of the semester as well at the A Cappella Invitational, where all five a cappella groups on campus will showcase their best songs.

 

Chad has already accomplished so much in his musical endeavors, but he still has many goals for the future. “I’m really getting into my own DJing scene. I record my own electronic music and hope to get a record deal someday. After I graduate, I want to move out West to the San Diego or Los Angeles area. The night scene there is incredible, especially with DJ and electronic music as popular as it is right now,” he says.

 

 

***Story Credit: Clarissa Scheffler