Looking Back on a Productive Fall 2018

The Practicum Crew (from left): Jon, Hannah, Will, Tho, Sam, Alina, Tevin, Maya, and Shannon

Another busy and fun Fall semester wrapped up as students turned in their projects and finished their exams. On our last day of Practicum class, we listened to the projects that students completed over the course of the semester (pictured above). There was a great mix of genres from chamber music to hip-hop and soundtrack music. One of our students even did interactive sound effects for a video game. It is always enlightening to discuss the challenges and success that were encountered throughout the semester.

Jon accompanying Brody singing a song from the musical "The Last Five Years"

As a part of our Recording Studio Procedures class, we recorded various student singers in a number of different styles including musical theatre, country, and traditional Americana. Not only do students get to experience the challenge of capturing the audio, but they also get to perform for one another and hear their mixed and mastered audio afterward.

Additionally, one of our awesome alumni, David Lamb, visited us and brought his drum kit to do a drumming demonstration during the last week of class. Looking back on the semester, it is hard to believe how many projects were completed and how many different musicians were recorded. Although I think that everyone is in need of a holiday break, we are also looking forward to kicking things back into gear this Spring!

Instruments Are Put to the Test in Recording Class

Over the course of our Recording Studio Procedures class, students perform using a variety of instruments and then we learn the proper microphone techniques for ideal capture. Recently, the Titan String Quartet graced us with their beautiful sounds and played both a classical selection, and a more pop-oriented song by Coldplay. It was fun to hear how the various mic positions affected the overall tone of the captured recording.

In addition to string recording, we captured brass and woodwind instruments. Student Dan Wallner played both baritone and tenor saxophone so that we could record and discuss the various challenges presented when capturing such a complex and wide-ranging instrument.

Other students helped by performing on piano, guitar, trumpet, and trombone (Cooper, shown above). They all helped us to helped us to further understand instrumental capture and room acoustics. It is such a benefit to be able to maximize the musical skills of students in order to analyze sound recording on a deeper level. It has been a fun and enlightening experience!

Students get back to work in Fall 2018

We welcomed an enthusiastic group of new Freshmen as students got back to work this Fall. It didn't take long for classes to launch into projects and new learning experiences. One such class is "Care & Repair", which tasks students with upkeep of the university recording studio. Some of our more recent projects have included soldering and repairing microphone cables and organizing important areas of the studio to have a better workflow.

Kristan and Maya hard at work on cable repairs

In another course, Recording Studio Procedures, we started with demonstrating stereo microphone techniques. What better way to show this than with a beautiful Steinway Grand Piano? Several of our students performed for the class so that we could capture the nuances between different microphone positions.

Molly plays us both a classical and "pop" style selection

To take things back to the very beginning, we had a fantastic opening meeting as the semester kicked off. Students used the opportunity to discuss organization opportunities including Students for Music and Songwriting Club. It is great that there are so many ways for students to be involved and continue to learn outside of the classroom. The year is off to a great start in the Music department at UWO!

Music Business professor, Dr. Sharon Tenhundfeld, asks club leader Doug to discuss Songwriting Club to students.

Many projects and visitors during the Spring 2018 Semester

There were so many exciting classes, guests, and projects from this past semester. Here are a few of the highlights: Above, we welcomed a special guest, Ryan from Rode Microphones, to bring in mics and discuss techniques using a drum kit. Student Ryan Thomas helped by performing for us. It was a fun and educational session that provide a lot of new insight!

We also continued work in our Group Recording Sessions class, recording many great bands throughout the semester. In addition to David Paul Martin, we recorded The Oxleys (top), Cold Soda Club (bottom), Wilhelm, The Present Age, and Christopher Gold. More live videos from the sessions will be posted soon!

Another special guest that visited us during the semester was the Chief Operating Officer of the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado. She talked with students about important business skills and practices, and gave valuable insight into the current and future state of the music industry.

Some other important events from the semester included hosting the State Solo & Ensemble competition (organized by Dr. Ken Liske), a Saxophone Summit featuring guest musician Jeff Coffin (organized by Dr. Drew Whiting), and guest composer Chad Rehmann. There is so much that we have done, but even more to come!