Regina Spektor will perform SAB concert on Nov. 14

Each semester, Truman students eagerly await the announcement of the fall and spring concerts. This fall, the Student Activities Board has announced Regina Spektor will perform Nov. 14 in the Pershing Arena.

The 29-year-old singer/songwriter was born in Moscow and immigrated to New York City at the age 9, according to a press-kit from her publicity company, Big Hassle. She studied classical piano but began writing pop songs and went on tour with The Strokes in 2001. Spektor has released three albums including this year's "Far," and collaborated with artists including Ben Folds, who performed at SAB's concert last fall.

Sophomore Kelsey McManimie, fall concert chair for SAB, said that each year SAB researches artists to bring to Truman. SAB then sends out a survey to students asking who they would most like to see. Regina Spektor scored highest in last year's survey, McManimie said. Other high-ranking artists on the survey included Jack's Mannequin, Flogging Molly, Girl Talk and Relient K.

Student tickets will cost $5 and general admission tickets will be $15, but the total cost of the event won't be determined until after the concert. SAB still is finalizing what performing artist will open for Spektor. McManimie said SAB will announce the opening act in a few weeks.

"I'm really excited to bring her because she's kind of something different to Truman," she said. "I feel like because she's a solo female artist [and] has a soulful voice, it's going to be more of a sit down and relax and enjoy her talents kind of show."

McManimie said she expects many of the 2,500 available tickets will be sold to general admission.

Beth Katz, a senior at Brandeis University in Waltham Mass., works for Student Events, the organization that brought Spektor to her school in October 2007. Katz said the event sold out a few days prior to the show, and students really enjoyed the concert.

"I thought it was a good concert, but her music doesn't appeal to everyone," Katz said. "The people who liked her music liked the concert."

Sophomore Audra Schickler said she was excited to see Spektor is coming to Truman.

"It's really awesome because I know all her music," Schickler said. "She's not my favorite, but I know my roommate will be really excited to hear that."