One step into the Creative Arts building and a person is hit with a cacophony of sound generated by people practicing all genres of music.

In the last week, perhaps the most furious of all instruments in this chaotic orchestra was Gus Simons' lone bassoon. Its deep tone could be heard playing the same riffs over and over.

Simons is only days away from his senior recital and though he says he knows all the compositions he is playing very well, there are short sections he must play constantly until he perfects them.

"It's a huge pain," the 22-year-old said. "I still haven't gotten every single part perfect yet."

Simons has planned a night of music styles ranging from Baroque classical to 20th Century Brazilian nationalism for Thursday, May 14. Attendees, including his family, friends and professors will fill Knuth Hall to witness his final concert as an SF State student. The bassoonist estimates he has played more than 50 concerts on campus.

Simons has practiced almost every day since beginning college. After so many nights coming home late or leaving parties early, he is excited to finally give his friends a glimpse into his biggest passion.

"Over all these years my friends have just known I have this other side," he said. "Now is the chance for them to finally see what I've been doing all this time."

Simons is just one of 13 music majors specializing in performance who will perform a final concert in order to graduate. Practicing for hours, which Simons has been doing every day the last weeks, is only one aspect of the preparations. Spotlighted student are in charge of renting out the hall, organizing musicians, choosing material to play in conjunction with their course professors and making fliers.

"It is like a final thesis; it is the capstone project for the entire degree where students can show all they've learned," said music professor Cyrus Ginwala.

All this pressure rests on the tiny inch-long reeds of his oboe. Instruments with double reeds have to be very carefully made out pieces of cane. Simons won't decide which of his many he will use until the day of the show.

"The response and intonation will depend on the reed," he said. "It's like half the instrument."

The recitals allow music students to complete studies at SF State. For many it is a culmination of many classes and concerts at the school.

Micah Aaron Hayes, 35, spent the last two and a half years studying jazz saxophone. He says his final concert on May 5th was nerve-wracking and rousing because peers and instructors, including his most respected teacher, were there.

Switching throughout his performance from tenor to alto saxophone, he successfully fronted a jazz band. He said is was one of his favorite moments while at SF State.

Though his only career goals are to "marry a sultan's daughter," Hayes said he is sure he will play music the rest of his life.

"The recital has inspired me to always keep developing," he said. "It was more of a graduation then graduation will be."