Do Chapman Students Share Their Family’s Music Taste?
Illustration by Yana Samoylova, Illustrator
The weekend of Oct. 4 through 6, 2024, Chapman University hosts its annual Homecoming Weekend, a time for families to visit their children on campus and partake in various festivities. This weekend is a time for families to see the lives Chapman students have built for themselves and get a sneak peek into our daily routines. As students, we constantly listen to music, whether while we are studying, spending time with friends, or walking to class. Whenever you are listening to music here in our home of “Chaptown,” have you ever stopped to think if your parents influenced your style of music? The Panther sent out a survey to Chapman students, asking them if their families inspire their music taste:
As shown below, of students who responded to the survey, 82.1% of Chapman students replied “Yes” when asked if their family influences their music taste. When asked to elaborate more, many shared that genres from the 60s, 70s and 80s filled their homes or car radios, leading to them developing their own enjoyment of those genres to this day.
Graphic by Sukhman Sahota, Creative Director
“A lot of songs from the ‘70s and ‘80s that I love come from my parents constantly playing them on the radio in the car, either driving around town or on long family trips! Their favorites have stuck with me! ”
“My dad made me a huge playlist for the road trip to my move-in freshman year called ‘dad’s favs’ for me to listen to while driving and during my first semester whenever I missed him, and it became my entire music taste wrapped up into one nostalgic four-hour long playlist.”
“I grew up listening to ‘80s rock music with my family, but learned to eventually love a variety of music over time.”
Students who replied “No” shared that while they love music, their taste for it came from their individual experiences. Additionally, many students who replied “Yes” noted that they had still developed their own taste in music that differed from their family's, it has simply broadened their knowledge of music as a whole.
Many families should be pleased to know that their love for artists such as The Eagles, Elton John and James Taylor, or genres including folk, classic rock and R&B live on amongst us Chapman students, expanding our love for music. This shows the power music has in keeping generations connected, one tune at a time. Happy Homecoming weekend, Chapman families!
