People from across campus gathered together on Monday, Nov. 17, to hear the University of Richmond’s faculty-staff band, SABBATICAL, perform live at The Cellar.
The band’s origins date back 15 years, when a UR student discovered chemistry professor Wade Downey’s original music on Apple iTunes and encouraged him to play for students on campus.
Today, the classic rock band continues to host performances and welcomes new members regularly. Downey, the lead singer, is the only remaining member from SABBATICAL’s founding group.
The night opened with a series of Bob Dylan renditions by guest performer Thad Williamson, a leadership studies and politics, philosophy, economics and law professor.
SABBATICAL’s show launched with a solo performance featuring Downey’s original compositions. Many songs are inspired by American history. One was centered on the Civil War Battle of Shiloh; the song explored the psychology of a Confederate soldier who lacked a clear understanding of what he was fighting for.
In describing the process of writing music, Downey said: “You play some chords on the guitar you think sound good together, and then you try to sing some melody over it, and sometimes those things mesh and sometimes they don’t. And once in a blue moon, they fit together.”
The Cellar was crowded with members from the campus community. People gathered around the bar and filled up booths and seats. Many of Downey’s students came to support him and he charmed the audience with witty science jokes.
Peter LeViness, an adjunct lecturer of psychology, joined Downey on stage to perform 1990s crowd-pleasers like U2’s “With or Without You,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “American Girl,” and Sublime’s “Santeria.”
In a band primarily covering songs from the '90s, LeViness sees his role as encouraging the other members to play more contemporary songs.
LeViness joined SABBATICAL more than 10 years ago after expressing an interest in bass and said he continues to find joy in the band’s community.
“I like the fact that we are all connected to UR,” he said, “it’s a lot of fun just to perform.”
Towards the end of the show, Downey invited his son Finn to play the violin alongside the band. The addition of classical violin brought vibrancy to the stage, and the bond between Finn and his father elevated the performance.
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To conclude SABBATICAL’S show, opening performer, Thad Williamson, rejoined the stage with Downey and LeViness for an alternative cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
The continuous dedication of SABBATICAL’s members showcases faculty and staff talent beyond academia, fosters campus community and inspires others to pursue their passions.
To aspiring musicians hoping to start a band, LeViness offered a piece of advice: “Keep practicing. Get the word out.”
Contact features writer Grace Berry at grace.berry@richmond.edu
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