As part of their new Borderland Music Series, the UTEP Bookstore will offer a series of concerts featuring UTEP students and local artists on campus.

Concerts will be held Monday through Thursday at the bookstore patio to bring a fresh and exciting environment for students during the fall semester.

“One thing about me is that I have a musical background, and when it comes to young people, music is at the top of their list,” said the bookstore’s marketing specialist Cheryl Patterson.

Working in tandem with the UTEP Department of Music, Patterson’s goal for the new series goes beyond promoting the talents of UTEP students and faculty, it’s about bringing the community together.

“I called it ‘Borderland Music Series’ because this is a border community,” Patterson said. “You have people from all over, and it’s open to everybody.”

Apart from the live sessions, every Thursday will feature a segment called “Turn Up Music Thursdays” where DJ Prince Jett, one of the attached artists, will keep up the good vibes with a wide range of music, going from pop to rock, to the retro music from the 70s and 80s.

“Music can motivate,” Patterson said. “It motivates anyone but more so young people, and one of my roles at UTEP is to create excitement, and that excitement is supposed to inspire you. It should move you to do something.”

Angel de La Rosa, a graduate student set to perform at the Borderland Music series said that this project is a welcoming opportunity for performers to get out and expose themselves and their work to an already-diverse community at UTEP.

Artists from all music genres and ages are welcome to join in and prepare a set list for a 30 minute or two-hour show. There are no general restrictions set on applying to be part of the music series–possible participants do not have to be enrolled at UTEP to apply to be apart of the music sessions.

“As a songwriter, I personally feel that the series is a unique chance for me to spend some time with other folks who share an interest in live music,” De la Rosa said. “It opens up a moment for me to share a story that I can tell through lyrics and chords.”

Besides being a platform for young-adult performers, Patterson also wants to make sure that children in the community have a spot in the music scene.

“On Saturdays, families can come and kids can bring their instruments and jam with the artist,” Patterson said.

The idea of opening this space to children is to motivate the young ones to pursue a new hobby. Along with the artist, children will be able to learn about songwriting and music.

The children’s workshop will take place on Saturdays twice a month.

To be part of the bookstore’s Borderland Music Series send a link from a live performance to [email protected].

For more information visit utepbkstr.com