Music Production Rocks! one more time

Caitlin Peterson
In Motion Staff Writer

The Music Production Rocks! Mid-Term Concert held before Spring Break was a mid-semester sneak peek before the final concert in May, when students will showcase their talents in an outdoor festival-style performance.

The final concert on Friday, May 1, will take place at Riverfront Park on South Beach Street in Daytona Beach at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

As a part of the Music Production Technology program offered at DSC’s Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art, students are required to take four contemporary ensemble classes, which are then divided into “bands” based on when each class meets during the week.

After learning to arrange popular rock, pop, country and hip-hop songs, twice per semester the students get the opportunity to show off their hard work.

At the February event students performed with unmatched energy and excitement, despite some students having never performed before.

Some of the covers the bands played included “Take Me to Church” by Hozier, “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes and “Stay” by Rihanna. At the Music Production Rocks! concerts, there is something for everyone.

Similar to the earlier show the bands in May bands will perform a variety of song selections from prominent touring artists.

Classes are designed to give students experience working in groups efficiently, while also gaining perspective to better understand the needs of musicians in a professional concert environment.

The Sound Reinforcement and Live Recording Techniques classes also are involved in the concerts. Students in Sound Reinforcement and Live Recording classes apply concepts they learn in class to mix and record the live performances.

“It’s this kind of hands on experience that makes the Music Production Technology Program so sought after. I’ve really learned a lot and enjoyed the process,” said one of the ensemble guitarists, Alex Thompson.

Instructors Jake Nicely, who is also assistant chair of the Mike Curb College, Scott Velazco and Aaron Swihart all teach the contemporary ensemble classes and give guidance and advice during the learning and arranging process of the songs.

Professor Daniel Mixer teaches Sound Reinforcement and Live Recording Techniques at the college and his students work as stagehands, front-of-house engineers and monitor engineers. Mixer and his students do the work behind the scenes to make sure the concert goes smoothly.

Guitarists and bassists in each of the ensembles play their own instruments, while drummers play the drum sets provided by the college. The College also provides a wide range of percussion instruments for students’ use, such as tambourines, bongos and keyboards so the students have plenty of creative freedom when arranging the songs.

As far as what instruments are played is entirely unique to each ensemble and their song selection.

“The final show in May is going to be something to remember and we can’t wait to have people come out and see all the student’s hard work,” said Nicely.