Brandeis Got Talent wrapped up another year, bringing together student musicians for a night of performances. While the turnout was smaller than expected, the energy in Chums remained high. Campus Activities Board (CAB) Concerts Chair Simone Hotter ’26 reflected on the event’s highlights, challenges and what it means for the winners, who will go on to open for Springfest in April. Hotter is mainly responsible for planning Springfest and Brandeis Got Talent, and she will also host a listening party this semester in anticipation of Springfest.
Preparation for Brandeis Got Talent began about a month before the event, with organizers reaching out to Basement Records to recruit student bands. “About a month before we hosted the event, we reached out to Basement Records to make a post looking for student band signups,” Hotter explained. Basement Records is a campus club that brings artists together, fostering a strong creative community. “The event was under an hour in total, we played some trivia at the beginning and then got into the openers,” Hotter explained.
On March 1, from six to 10 p.m., Brandeis Got Talent took place at Chums, showcasing an unforgettable night of student performances. Despite having a smaller audience than expected, the performances made an impact. “I loved the bands that played and there was some really rocking energy even with a small crowd,” Hotter said. “I’m so excited to see how the acts work with a bigger audience in the spring.” Similar to a concert, this event features both an audience and a panel of judges.
While the night was a success, there were some unexpected challenges. “Some acts didn’t show up, which put a wrench in things and shortened the event even more,” Hotter noted. Even with last-minute changes, the CAB team ensured the show continued smoothly.
Reflecting on the event’s venue, Hotter is considering a location change for next year. “Next year I probably won’t host it in Chums again, maybe move back to The Stein,” she said. “It’s a more communal atmosphere and less out of the way.”
One of the biggest takeaways from Brandeis Got Talent is the opportunity it provides for the winning acts. “I think it’s an opportunity to get people hyped before our contracted artists go on, and show off the talent that the Brandeis community already has,” Hotter said. The winners will now have the chance to perform at Springfest, one of the university’s most anticipated music events.
For Hotter, organizing Brandeis Got Talent was a rewarding experience. “As Concerts Chair, I don’t get to plan a lot of smaller-scale events in CAB; it’s normally just Springfest,” she shared. “Coordinating to host something much more approachable than a full-day concert was fun.”
Hotter also offered advice to students considering auditioning next year: “It always goes over well with the audience when there’s a participatory segment to your performance. Of course, when you’re rehearsing there normally aren’t people watching, but remember to incorporate the crowd!”
Summing up the event in just a few words, Hotter described it as “intimate and rocking.”
While this year’s Brandeis Got Talent has come to an end, its impact continues both for the musicians who took the stage and for the audience members and judges who got to witness their performances. With lessons learned and plans for the future, next year’s event promises to be even bigger and better. And with Springfest just a month away, the excitement for more campus events is already building.
