Tuesday evening, musician Spencer Bohren performed folk and blues music at the University of Wyoming Art Museum before teaching workshops in classrooms the next day. Wednesday afternoon, Bohren taught a workshop in the choir room of the Fine Arts Building. By using an assortment of guitar-like instruments he created a backdrop for a song and then started to play. “This is the fourth year in a row I’ve come to UW. We are doing a lot [more] work in the classrooms now, than in the past. It has a lot more value than just playing a concert,” said Bohren. “Working in the classroom was pretty spectacular. We had kids glued to the front of the classroom and a lot of discussion afterward.” Born in Wyoming, Bohren started playing music at the age of 14. Throughout the years he played with rock, country and blues bands throughout the western U.S. He then, started to settle down in New Orleans before going solo on tour in the southern states. “I think that real music comes from the heart. I don’t really think it comes from the brain, so I really try and stay out of the way and let the music speak. I was surrounded by music as a kid. My family sang gospel music and we had instruments all around the house. It wasn’t like I ever thought about going into music, I just was. It’s who I am,” said Bohren. The concert was provided free of charge for both students and the general public, due in part to funding though the president’s office and resources from the art and music programs. “The performance Tuesday was really great. It was nice to have an acoustic performance in the art museum. The art museum is really generous with the space, they set it up well and were happy to have us,” said Professor Rod Garnett. “It has been funded through the president’s office and we have also had support from the music program and art program as well. It was a really great experience.”
