For a large sum of us, being on stage sounds like a nightmare, but for those in the Music Production Technology program (MPT), it’s just a regular day in class. Performing, producing, and everything in between is all made possible through the passionate students, and professors, in the program.
On Thursday, March 10th, an entirely student-led show titled Music Production Rocks! was held at the DSC’s News Journal Center in the Davidson Theater, bringing together a wide variety of talent that left an awestruck audience.
Three bands took part in the show. Students chose and directed the songs, lighting, and staging. You name it, they did it. Jake Nicely, a professor in the MPT program, expressed how “They [the students] start practicing from the first day of the semester and rehearse twice a week for both a midterm and final show.” The dedication of the performers and technical support team was louder than the sounds of the performance. The practice put into the show most certainly made perfect.
A mix of R&B, pop, indie, etc. filled the ears of the audience. Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, and Silk Sonic were just a handful of the artists represented at the show. The show started off with a rendition of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” sung by student veteran, Jeff Bumb. “The program has given me a greater appreciation for the production industry,” said Bumb. Bumb further expressed, “Having access to professional equipment and being surrounded by talent makes the process a lot better, they can make anyone sound good.”
Fellow musician Samuel Abraham agreed. “It’s yours if you want it, you just have to work for it,” Abraham said, describing what the MPT program has taught him about his future career goal.
Musicians in the program describe emotions that come from live performance as “exhilarating,” “fun,” “honoring,” “exciting,” and “incredible.” The Music Production Rocks! show emitted all those emotions and more, bringing light to the talent that is present on DSC’s campus.
The final Music Production Rocks! show of the semester will be on Thursday, April 28th, at 5:30PM in the Gillespy Theater at the DSC News Journal Center. Admission is free.
Torie Lakkis-Biggs is a staff photographer at InMotion.