“For a very low price, [students have] access to world-class instruction and world-class facilities, thus better preparing them for their future interests or future prospects in a career in music or recording arts,” said Los Medanos College Department Chair of the Music and Recording Arts Departments Kyle Chuah.
Located in the same building, both the music department, focusing on musical skills and the recording arts department that’s centered around technological aspects offer a multitude of classes.
Students within the recording arts department get the opportunity to work in the studio.
Student worker Ricky Montejo sets up microphones and speaker systems for the jazz band, making sure they hear each section of the songs they rehearse.
Similarly in the Sound, Technology, Recording, Engineering Audio Media Club, or S.T.R.E.A.M., students get hands-on experience in their recording sessions.
“These sessions are a valuable opportunity for club members to develop their leadership, decision-making, problem-solving and networking skills while gaining valuable experience managing a recording studio and working with professional equipment,” said club advisor Aaron Nakaji.
Vice President Areanna Guzman said they get to learn about digital audio workstations, adding “Producers get to teach others how to make beats or engineers teach others how to make songs.“
While music and recording arts are distinct programs, Nakaji, who also serves as the music laboratory coordinator, said they often overlap.
“Music students are often interested in music technology or having audio recordings of their performances, and Recording Arts students are trained in audio production for a range of media,” Nakaji said. “But music is usually what our students are most passionate about, so they will commonly take classes in both programs.”
Anyone looking to explore their musical interests has a range of options with over 20 music classes available to learn how to read, write and perform music. The programs welcome all, whether students have some experience or none at all.
Vocal professor Haksung Lee welcomes all students interested in developing their singing skills to join his classes MUSIC-065 and MUSIC-067.
“This is a terrific opportunity for anyone to learn the oldest musical instrument in history, the human voice,” Nakaji said.
Some students are shy to perform in front of their class but Lee said the welcoming environment helps students become more confident singers. He added that he’s seen students make immense improvement by the end of the semester when they perform in a singing recital.
Lee explained the material in the courses can apply to students on a personal level saying “In my teaching, the philosophy is that music is life.”
Lee said students get to learn how to express emotions through music, whether it be happiness, sadness or anger.
Professor David Chong, who directs the jazz band class expressed that he has also worked with students that have varying musical backgrounds.
“I have students in both bands that have no experience at all,” said Chong. “My drummer for example did not play any drums at all, this is his second semester [and] now he’s my primary drummer.”
Student Tony Alfred expressed he didn’t have an attraction to jazz prior to the class but that it has been worth it for him.
“I went into [jazz band] not really listening to jazz at all but just the mechanics and the things you learn from playing other genres is really valuable and that by itself is super helpful for people who are playing instruments,” said Alfred.
Student Kyle Manniti spoke about how the jazz band class has helped him become a better musician.
“Coming from a person who has only practiced in my room with background tracks, it’s different playing with people compared to just being solo and stuff like that,” Manniti said. “It’s [a] really good experience.”
Student Julio Romo urges those who may be on the fence about joining a music class to go for it.
“People may seem scared. Just take [the class], go for it and try it,” Romo said. “The community is good, we’re all here for one another.”
Manniti also describes the class as being a way to bond with other students who share a common interest.
“Music is about connecting with other people through it, everybody connects to each other through music,” Manniti said.
Club President Sergio Donis emphasized the importance of collaboration as members support each other on their own creative endeavors.
“Sometimes the road to that can be a little lonely so S.T.R.E.A.M. is one of the best outlets for any creative minds to get together, share work and collaborate on amazing projects to get out there to the world,” Donis said.
Montejo said he hopes to recruit more students into recording arts, “we have a really cool program that I wish more people knew about [because I] know they would be interested in [knowing] more.”
Chuah also encourages students to look into the many opportunities offered in both departments.
“Students should take advantage of both programs because Los Medanos College has high quality professors [with] years of experience in the fields,” said Chuah.
