May 13, 2010

Clarence L. Moorer III. Download image.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Clarence L. Moorer III graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Saturday, but not before the music technology major got in one final, very big concert at UAB's Alys Stephens Center.

Moorer, an ASC intern, didn't just watch the show by Grammy Award-winning performers Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience - he was asked by Simien to join the band on saxophone before the crowd gathered. So he jumped on stage and into the music, for an experience he won't soon forget.

Experiences like this student's come easy at UAB's own world-class performing arts center, because every day the ASC staff work tirelessly to make the arts accessible to everyone. The center's mission is to be a home for the performing arts and a classroom, laboratory and community-gathering place. It offers artistic endeavors that bring people of all ages and backgrounds together to explore and celebrate the arts.

When Moorer jumped onstage to jam with the band, he became one of the tens of thousands of people who've experienced the thrill of the arts at the ASC. "Terrance was really cool and nice and the music was nothing less than awesome," Moorer said. "When he let me hold his Grammy I felt even more appreciative of the opportunity to jam with such awesome and nice people.

"It really was the most fun I've had in a while."

The concert was the kick-off event for the ASC's new series, "Live on the Plaza," which features live music and dance outside on the center's plaza. As an ASC intern, Moorer gets to work with all aspects of live sound, stage work and lighting. He sat with ASC House Manager Jerry Sims, who told him all about the fantastic performance Simien had presented earlier that day for an arts education show for elementary-school children, which had been presented free for the kids by the ASC.

"Jerry was actually telling me about how good the concert was that morning and that Terrance really rocked it. While he was doing this Terrance was right next to us and I hadn't fully realized it," Moorer said. "We were kinda embarrassed a little but then laughed about it, and Jerry and Terrance started talking and then me being a sax player came up. Terrance asked if I would like to play with him. I was really excited and said yes."

Moorer called his father to bring his instrument to the center and was able to play during the band's second set. Dozens of people had been dancing to the zydeco music all evening, and the mood only got better as the sun went down. In another twist, the percussionist for the band, Donald Ray Charles, is actually a long-time friend of Moorer. "I have known for a very long time and I consider him one of my musical uncles. He's a member of my home church."

The experience was thrilling, Moorer said. "To be honest I was  nervous and excited but really happy I got to play with awesome people and Mr. Donald Charles again, because it had been a while since we had seen each other and I guess that made me feel more welcome and at ease since he's known me since before I played sax," he said.

 "Because it had been such an awesome week - my first day at work, playing at church every night, taking my last final that Wednesday, graduating Saturday, spending time with my grandparents for graduation and Mother's Day - it was like an overwhelming sense of happiness, completion school-wise, relief, and appreciation I think, most of all."