Evensen 1

20 September 2017
Instructor Ronald Bohannon
Salt Lake Community College
4600 South Redwood Road,
Salt Lake City, UT 84123
Taylorsville Redwood Campus

Dear Instructor Bohannon,

I chose the topic of concerts because I have personally experienced the thrill of going to

a venue. I may have only been to two concerts in my life, but the memories I have collected

from these musical events have made an impression on me. I was curious to see what health

benefits and happiness you receive from participating in concerts. I will be using my own

personal experience as well as articles I have found. I will be discovering the facts behind the

connection between musical events and happiness and why many people go to these events.

This essay has recently been reorganized and a couple of paragraphs have been moved around.

I have also clarified and added more details about the main topics I will be discussing.

Sincerely,

Danielle Evensen
 Evensen 2

Danielle Evensen
Instructor Bohannon
English 2010-08-F17
20 September 2017

The Benefits of Going to a Concert

Going to a concert whether it be a group that you have been dying to see, or one you

have heard about, concerts create happiness in individuals. The focus of this paper is on the

positive emotional, economical, and social benefits of a musical event. Some of these benefits I

will be talking about are the exciting preparation to go to the concert, the connection between

the artist and the fan, the happiness and health it brings proven by studies, and the economy

boost. I have been to only two concerts in my life, but the experience has influenced me to talk

about the effects it has on your health and mind. In this paper, I will explore the various reasons

people go to concerts using my own personal experience as well as articles I have gathered.

First I would like to talk about my experience with concerts so that you can get a sense

of how I feel about concerts and the effect they have on me. The first venue I went to was for a

band called The Neighbourhood. At the time this band was new and had only been together for

two years. The Neighbourhood was and still is my favorite band and I was extremely excited to

see them live. I cannot express how amazing the music was, how moved I felt. The singer of the

band, Jesse Rutherford, sounded so clear and in-tune when singing his songs. The music was

loud enough to feel it in my body but not loud enough to drowned him out. I am typically more

of a shy person when it comes to being around hundreds of people, but at this concert I felt

comfortable. I was focused solely on the music and not on anyone else in the crowd. The only

downside to this concert was an encounter with an intoxicated woman and a very pushy crowd.
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Everyone in the crowd wants to be as close as they can to the stage so they will start pushing

and shoving to get there. Overall I had an amazing night and felt extremely happy during and

afterwards.

The other concert I went to was Incubus and Jimmy Eat World. I havent heard too many

songs from these bands before, but I wanted to experience a different band and genre of

music. This concert was setup with rows of seats and then a lawn. We were in the seats in the

middle section not too far away from the stage. I liked the bands a lot better live than on

recordings. Hearing music live and in person is an experience you cant get staying at home. The

music was loud and I could feel the vibrations coursing through my body. The only minor

downside to this concert was that I didnt know the band as well as The Neighbourhood so I

was not able to sing-along. I did however like how there were designated seats so that no one

could push you around or take your spot.

One of my favorite things about a concert is the preparation, getting ready, and buying

the tickets. For me, I get a thrill from knowing I am going out with friends and doing something

thats not in my usual routine. Especially for college students it is nice to get out and not be

stuck in your room, work, or school. The author of the next article, Kendall Delfin, explains the

experience of going to a concert. She says, Its a sense of liveliness incomparable to most other

moments we experience on the day-to-day grind, a feeling worth chasing after for good

(Delfin, Par. 1). When I am at a concert I feel very relaxed and stress free. I dont have to worry

about anything else but enjoying the music. My favorite part of The Neighbourhood concert

was that I knew the songs and I felt moved by the music. Listening to my favorite band live was

the most moving experience Ive ever had in my life. Deflin also talked about the other benefits
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such as stress levels being decreased, social bonds become stronger, and increased happiness.

Going to a musical event can be extremely beneficial and a great experience for those that love

music.

The last article I researched talks about the importance of the connection between the

artist and the fan. Part of the experience of listening to live music is the engagement between

artist and fan, as well as the connection fostered among audience members (Coulehan par. 3).

I agree and know that this is one of the main reasons I keep going to concerts. Although no one

in the crowd knows the artist personally, you can feel that connection especially if you have

known the band for a while. Another factor that plays into that connection is the atmosphere of

the music event. When the environment is a relaxed one you are more easily drawn into the

music. My experiences with concerts have been amazing. I have felt moved by the music and

engaged with the crowd.

Concerts are also extremely beneficial for the economy. The first article I found is

written by Sativa Jones about the 7 Reasons of why everyone needs to attend a concert. She

talks about how at concerts youre able to discover new music from the opening bands as well

as new songs introduced by the main band. She talks about the economic benefits of going to a

concert, how it can help our community. Jones says, Its crucial for economic benefits that

people support the arts and not via YouTube (Jones, par. 7). She makes an excellent point in

that many people are using app or programs that allow you to listen to music for free. These

music programs do not help the economy because there is no profit and many of these songs

are downloaded illegally. There are many economic benefits from going to concert as well as

mental health benefits.

 Evensen 5

Another topic I researched was the psychology of concerts and how they affect our

brains. In an article, I found, the author talks about how our brains categorize the experience of

a musical event as a spending event. Your brain actually treats money like a drug, substituting

it for social acceptance (Sophistefunk, par. 8). It categorizes concerts as an experience and

your brain enjoys spending money on experiences. The psychological research by Van Bowen

and Gilovich proved that people were happier when they spent money on experiences rather

than material items. We are social beings that are meant to engage in the community. I am a lot

happier when I am out with friends and family going to movies or events. Listening to my music

at home does not compare to going to a concert.

Another example of how concerts make you happy is a study done in Australia about

the connection between music, concert, and happiness. The researchers interviewed 1000

citizens after they had some form of musical experience of the following: listening to music,

dancing, attending a concert, singing, or playing an instrument. One of the researchers, Melissa

Weinberg explains her findings. We found there were differences in those who danced or

attended music events. Its that active engagement that seems to be critical (Willingham, Par

6). The individuals that were engaged in the music and their community were indeed happier

than those that did not. Another article I found on this study says, The study also specifically

found that communal aspect was the important part, as regularly listening alone did not cause

the same effect on social well-being (Galbraith, par. 3). I can relate to this in the fact that I feel

happier when I am at a concert rather than just listening to music on my phone.

Communication and connection with other people is essential especially today when we are

constantly looking at our electronic screens. The fact that youre going to a concert with other
 Evensen 6

people that enjoy the same music is comforting and allows bonding to take place. I personally

value face-to-face communication and believe that this brings happiness.

In conclusion, concerts are mentally and socially beneficial and are a great activity for

everyone to go to. It is proven that concerts can bring happiness and make your life better. The

experience and memories you get out of concerts has proven to be a life changing and moving

event. Being with community and artists that you enjoy is what creates this wonderful

experience. Concerts have always been a fun activity that allows me to clear my mind and be

stress free. I have enjoyed going to concerts and will be going to many more in the future.
 Evensen 7

Works Cited

Colburn, Randall, et al. Going to Concerts Regularly Leads to a Happier Life, According to a

New Study. Consequence of Sound, 25 Aug 2016-

consequenceofsound.net/2016/08/going-to-concerts-regularly-leads-to-a-happier-life-

according-to-a-new-study/.

Coulehan, Erin. Ticket to Happiness: Research Says People Who Go to Concerts Feel Better

about Life. Salon, 19 Aug 2016, www.salon.com/2016/08/17/ticket-to-happiness-

research-says- people-who-go-to-concerts-feel-better-about-life/.

Delfin, Kendall. People Who Go To Concerts Lead Happier Lives, According to Science.

L4LM, 26 Mar. 2017, liveformusic.com/features/people-who-go-to-concerts-lead-

happier-lives-according-to-science/.

Jones, Sativa. [Feature] 7 Reasons Why The Experience Of Attending Live Concerts Is A Must-

Have. The Come Up Show, 19 Aug 2016,

www.thecomeupshow.com/2013/06/26/feature-7-

reasons-why-the-experience-of-attending-live-concerts-is-a-must-have/.

Why You Should Go to Concerts (the Psychology of Concerts). Sophistefunk,

www.sophistefunk.com/psychology-of-concerts/.

Willingham, AJ. Are Music and Happiness Linked? CNN, Cable News Network, 31 Mar.

2017, www.cnn.com/2016/08/17/health/music-concerts-dancing-study-

trnd/index.html.
 Evensen 8

25 October 2017

Instructor Ronald Bohannon

Department of English
Salt Lake Community College
4600 South Redwood Road,
Salt Lake City, UT 84123
Taylorsville Redwood Campus

Dear Instructor Bohannon,

Going to a concert can bring happiness and increase your mood. The experience can relax you
and decrease your stress levels. There have been studies done by Van Bowen, Melissa
Weinburg, and Gilovich proving that going to a musical event can aid you in your mental well-
being as well as your social. Going to a venue can also help boost the economy and provide
support to musical artists. Concerts are beneficial mentally, economically, and socially. In
knowing this knowledge that I previously identified, people can use concerts to connect with
their community and break away from their lives.

Sincerely,

Danielle Evensen
 Evensen 9

Danielle Evensen
Instructor Bohannon
English 2010-08-F17
Salt Lake Community College
25 October 2017

Concerts Benefit Individuals Socially, Economically, and Mentally

Going to a concert is an unforgettable experience that leaves one with precious

memories. There are many other benefits in going to a venue other than just hearing the music

and the artist. Musical events increase overall well-being and produce happiness in individuals

lives. Their mental health is significantly increased, and their stress levels lowered. There are

people that believe concerts are a breeding ground for violence, however I will just be talking

about the advantages of going to a concert. This essay proves that concerts are beneficial

mentally, economically, and socially. This is proved through the use of logos and pathos; she

explores personal experiences and researched data.

In the beginning, the article mentions that music creates happiness in ones life. It

presents a study done by scientists in Australia who interviewed citizens and found that the

individuals that were engaged in the music and their community were indeed happier than

those that did not (Evensen 4). By presenting this information, it provides concrete evidence of

the claim that concerts do indeed benefit participants worldwide. Another piece of concrete

evidence is about the psychology of festive events and the way our brains perceive them. The

psychological research done by Van Bowen and Gilovich proved that people were happier

when they spent money on experiences rather than material items. (Evensen 5) This data is a

form of logos that provides support to the essay because it is legitimate work done by well-
 Evensen 10

known psychologists. The use of science and facts in the paper is helpful in convincing the

audience that the claim inhabits truth and has been proven.

Pathos is present when personal observations are shared in relation to the benefits of

going to a concert. The personal experiences of this revision are discussed at the beginning of

the essay to show the readers her opinions. She describes the feelings of going to her first

concert and how the atmosphere made an impact on her. I cannot express how amazing the

music was, how moved I felt (Evensen 2). This allows for the reader to put themselves in the

writers shoes and imagine the way she experienced the venue. She also talks about how being

with the public is more beneficial than being alone and listening to the artist. She states, We

are social beings meant to engage in the community. By being in this community, one is

emotionally connected to others in the crowd and the experience is more of a communal one.

This connection cannot be found in an individual setting and this revision reveals the need to

engage with human beings. We need to remember the values that we were taught at a young

age to cherish human connection and relation. As one can see, pathos played an extremely

important role in the development of the authors argument for the benefits of musical events.

This essay brings many ideas regarding the assistance of music to the minds of the

readers. She uses logos in presenting various statistical research meanwhile appealing to the

emotional benefits of events through pathos. By doing this, she can influence the audience and

persuade them to think deeper about the implications of musical events on the emotional

health and happiness of individuals. Going to a concert is beneficial because it increases you

well-being and mental state, boosts the economy, and is a great way to spend time with your

community.
 Evensen 11

Works Cited

Colburn, Randall, et al. Going to Concerts Regularly Leads to a Happier Life, According to a

New Study. Consequence of Sound, 25 Aug 2016-

consequenceofsound.net/2016/08/going-to-concerts-regularly-leads-to-a-happier-life-

according-to-a-new-study/.

Coulehan, Erin. Ticket to Happiness: Research Says People Who Go to Concerts Feel Better

about Life. Salon, 19 Aug 2016, www.salon.com/2016/08/17/ticket-to-happiness-

research-says- people-who-go-to-concerts-feel-better-about-life/.

Delfin, Kendall. People Who Go To Concerts Lead Happier Lives, According to Science.

L4LM, 26 Mar. 2017, liveformusic.com/features/people-who-go-to-concerts-lead-

happier-lives-according-to-science/.

Jones, Sativa. [Feature] 7 Reasons Why The Experience Of Attending Live Concerts Is A Must-

Have. The Come Up Show, 19 Aug 2016,

www.thecomeupshow.com/2013/06/26/feature-7-

reasons-why-the-experience-of-attending-live-concerts-is-a-must-have/.

Why You Should Go to Concerts (the Psychology of Concerts). Sophistefunk,

www.sophistefunk.com/psychology-of-concerts/.

Willingham, AJ. Are Music and Happiness Linked? CNN, Cable News Network, 31 Mar.

2017, www.cnn.com/2016/08/17/health/music-concerts-dancing-study-

trnd/index.html.
 Evensen 12

1 November 2017

Danielle Evensen
English 2010-08-F17
Instructor Bohannon
Salt Lake Community College
4600 South Redwood Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84123

Dear Instructor Bohannon,

I will be discussing my transition and what I learned from the beginning of the semester to the end of
it. Many of my pasts goals such as getting my associates and figuring out my career have stayed the same,
while a few have been tweaked. I have learned a lot about research essays and how they focus on not just
giving information to the audience, but also solving a problem. I have also learned a great deal about MLA
format and college writing and how that is supposed to look. I have goals to get an Associates degree in
general studies and then to move forward onto a bachelor. I am not quite sure yet what my career will be,
but I am figuring that out. I will also be talking about the professional experience I have had in the work force.
I have learned a lot about the expectations of college and will be able to use that in my future career.

Sincerely,

Danielle Evensen
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1 November 2017

Danielle Evensen
English 2010-08-F17
Salt Lake Community College
Instructor Bohnannon

My Transformation Throughout English 2010

My name is Danielle Evensen and I am a full-time student at Salt Lake Community. I am currently
working on getting my associates degree in general studies so that I may have the option to go onto a
bachelors degree. I am on my second year here at SLCC and plan to do at least one more semester than
possibly take a break and move to California to continue my education. I grew up here in Utah and have
been here most of my life. I currently have the same professional experience as I did before. I have about
two years of professional experience from the three jobs I have had. I have had numerous interviews for
jobs that have allowed me to learn how to better my professional attitude. I have worked in retail and
sales for a year and then one year in bill collection. I have learned individual skills from my past and
present jobs that are helpful in the future. For example, at my call center job collecting money, I learned
how to type fast as well as multitask. I now use typing and multitasking in my current job as a shipper.
Many times, we get busy at the dealership I work at and we must multitask to get things done faster,
especially when there is less people around.
The short-term goals that I set at the beginning of the semester have not changed that much at all. I
still have the desire and goal to finish my education, however, now I am getting more serious in a
relationship that is long distance and my goal is to move to California where they are. My goal used to be
finish college and then move to California, but now I have changed my priorities because I put the people
I love before my education. Although this is ultimately a very tough decision, I will always have school
available in every state I go to and will always be able to continue my education elsewhere. Another goal I
have is to start eating healthier better meals as well as maintain a good exercise routine. At the beginning
of the semester exercise was not a priority and I did not try to improve my health. I would like to get in
shape and challenge myself to keep a consistent schedule every week. Often when I go to school or work,
I forget to bring a lunch or I run out of food. I would like to start planning my meals a week in advance and
get them ready the night before. Being healthier will allow me to be able to focus easier and live a
happier life.
One of the long-term goals I have is to become smarter and more aware of the world. I will accomplish
this throughout my school years just by reading the news and staying up to date on current events. I have
formed this goal because of this class. When we worked on our research papers we were constantly doing
research and finding new things out. I enjoyed discovering information that I didnt know before and
being able to formulate my own opinion because of it. This class has helped me to perfect my research
papers and learn about what is expected in college writing. I now have a better idea of how to organize
my paragraphs so that they make sense and I am not using the same ideas in different paragraphs.
I have learned a lot from taking this English class that I know will help me in my future. I have never
had confidence in what I was writing, but now after taking this class I feel a little more confidence
because I know the format of an essay. I have also become more familiar with MLA format and rules that I
must follow. I have been writing for a long time, ever since I was little I had a journal I wrote in all the
 Evensen 14

time. Writing in that journal came easy to me and I knew exactly what to put in it. I hope one day I will be
able to feel the same way about an essay. I have always struggled with essays because I do not know how
to translate my thoughts onto paper. I do however believe that writing is a great way to express and
relieve yourself from stress in some ways. I have learned that taking your time and reading through your
essays can help a lot. I want to continue to increase my knowledge about writing and the world so that I
may be able to share that knowledge with others.