Group Recording Sessions class project video posted

We are in a challenging semester for the university due to the Coronavirus. The campus has been shut down for the latter half of the semester and all teaching is being done online. Although it is disappointing that we cannot access the recording studio and audio lab, many students have still been working on projects and staying as musically and creatively active as they can!

The video posted below is from a Group Recording Sessions class several years ago. In the class, student groups are tasked with doing all of the technical setup, making microphone and placement decisions, and ultimately producing the audio mix for the project. This is an excellent final result from the excellent band, "The Oxleys". They were so great to visit us and perform and I am very glad to share it with you below:

Students Take a Theater Tour for Shrek the Musical

As a part of our emerging Music Industry Club, students had a fantastic opportunity to visit Perry Hall, a theater at the Fox Cities Campus in Menasha, where they are producing Shrek the Musical. During the tour, student and theater sound engineer AJ Rahm walked us through the facility and the full tech setup ahead of the performance that evening.

Some of the range of topics covered included organizing the dozens of wireless microphones that were used for the show, as well as mic technique for stage actors and the pit orchestra. We also learned how all of these elements were mixed for the live production. It was great to show a larger scale setup so that students could see all of the work that goes into such a multi-faceted production.

It was interesting to learn the intricacies of wireless technology and the digital tools that are used to streamline the process. Even so, a great production still comes down to the skill and care of the individuals involved, and they all did a wonderful job of bringing Shrek the Musical to life!

Wrapping up the Fall 2019 Semester

Instructor Chris Kuborn does a recording demo with students in the Recording Studio Procedures class

The semester went lightning quick, and was fun and busy as usual. Some highlights included bringing instructor Chris Kuborn onboard to teach in the program, a lot of project work in our updated recording studio, successful studio improvements in our Care & Repair class, dozens of performances, the Battle of the Bands, and a guest visit from music organization director, Olivia Hill.

Alina and Tho work on some cables in our Care & Repair class

A goal of the program is to always keep a creative and positive environment, and students kept extremely busy both on the production and performance side of music. We also welcomed over 80 prospective students for our annual Music Preview Day, and so we are hopeful that many more will be joining us in the coming years. The overall atmosphere this semester was one of focus and determination, resulting in many student successes and positive improvements to our classroom and studio environment.

The tech crew at the mixer for the Battle of the Bands

In the spring, please keep an eye on our main website for the many performance dates, including our next upcoming recording concert scheduled for April, 2020. We at UWO wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.

Live Sound Class is Offered for the First Time

We are excited to have created a Live Sound Production course that has been offered for the first time this semester, Fall 2019. The course builds on fundamental audio concepts and incorporates skills and techniques that are more specific to various live production scenarios from smaller venues to large stadiums.

Kelsey Blakey, Lead A/V Tech at Reeve Union, shows the live PA setup in Titan Underground

Some of the observations that we did throughout the semester have included seeing a P setup and both digital and analog mix consoles in the Reeve Union and Titan Underground music venue on campus, doing a live setup demo in our music hall, and also checking out an event setup for a talent show in the main union ballroom.

Student and Reeve Union A/V Tech Zach Miller gives a demonstration of the Behringer X32 digital mixer

Given how diverse the music industry has become, it is important to cover a broad range of topics both within the studio production world and beyond. We are excited to continually build on the learning experiences that students have as a part of our department and program.