That time of year again

Last night I went to the first of three recitals for our Music students. At this time, near the end of each term, they each play a set at a local bar. The librarian and I always try to go, at least for a little while, to support the students. Yesterday in the library there had been a palpable stress in the air. Students were snapping at each other; some cried; others sat at their computers, heads down, for hours and hours. Final exam/project/thesis time always feels like this, but it's also always accompanied by the release of going to a gig and having a drink with colleagues while cheering on the students' efforts. One of last night's set lists exemplified the uniqueness of these recitals. It started with a Rage Against the Machine cover, then James Brown's Please, Please, Please, next was Stone Temple Pilots, finally a full-on death metal song. After all that throat-cringing screaming into the microphone, the librarian and I decided it was time to go.