Most campus music groups welcome opportunities provided by Napster

Though campus music groups may agree with the music industry on music theory, some could not feel more different when it comes to Napster.

Campus a cappella group Shere Khan president Meredith Small '01 said she was excited when she found out that some of Shere Khan's songs were being shared on the Napster network. "I think it's nice to know that someone is interested in us," she said.

Small said she is not worried that Napster allows Internet users to listen to a few of the group's songs without purchasing its CD.

Because none of Shere Khan's CDs has been uploaded in its entirety, the shared songs serve as a tease for the rest of the CD, Small said.

"What's good about it is that it doesn't replace the CD," Small said.

Most of the Shere Khan MP3 files shared on Napster are stored on University students' computers.

Shere Khan, like many campus music groups, has a Website that features several clips from their CDs. That site, Small said, has helped prompt people to buy their CDs.

But, to Small, making sales is not as important as sharing songs with an audience. Unlike the recording industry, the members of Shere Khan do not keep the profits of CD sales. "We're more interested in having people know who we are and enjoying our music," she said.

Ben Roman '01, president of the Tigertones a cappella group, said he also is happy that some of the Tigertones' music is shared on Napster.

"I think that for our group one of the most important things that we want to do is get our name out there," Roman said.

The Tigertones also have a Website that features 10 sound clips. When Princeton students hear Tigertones' music before they arrive on campus, Roman said, they are more likely to audition for the group. And he said if more people listen to their music, the Tigertones might find more places off campus for them to perform.

"I don't think that having a couple of our songs on Napster is going to discourage people from purchasing one of our albums," he said.

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But not all campus groups see Napster as a blessing.

Lee Hadbavny '01, president of the Princeton University Band, said he hopes owners of the band's CDs — especially their newly released album — do not create and share MP3s.

"We would actually like to sell some of the CDs and make some of the money back," he said.

An MP3 of "Old Nassau" was the only song recorded by the band being shared on Napster yesterday. Hadbavny said he does not mind because he feels that song is owned by the Princeton community.

Hadbavny said he does not believe Napster helps to encourage people to buy the band's CD.

But, he added that he does not believe Napster has a negative effect on the band, either. "I'd like to think that, the band being what it is and us being a group that belongs to the Princeton community, that people would be willing to buy CDs anyway to help support us," he said.