ACADEMICS


T


he first semester of 2016 provided an experience of a lifetime for Jessup music students when they embarked on a journey last fall to the Skywalker Sound Studio on Skywalker Ranch located in Marin County. Music faculty adjunct, Alan


Koshiyama connected Jessup’s Music Chair Tom Ruscica with Skywalker Sound’s four time Grammy winning Director of Music Recording and Scoring, Leslie Ann Jones. It wasn’t long before the group determined their visit would take place October 1 and 2. “Although some schools have done


this before, we are the only university in the greater Sacramento region to have this opportunity,” Ruscica said.


“It was an


experience these students will never forget.” The highly motivated group was on a


mission to record not one but two CD’s in two eight-hour sessions. Prior to stepping foot on Skywalker Ranch, Jessup’s instrumental students worked tirelessly as three sections of recordings were completed at Jessup’s recording facilities including rhythms, strings and brass. Vocalists had intense rehearsals as well, working hard to master songs that had been introduced as little as two weeks prior to recording. Upon entering the enormous 60 by 80-foot


recording studios, under 30-foot ceilings, Jessup students found themselves in the very same room well-known conductors such as John Williams have recorded. “Being at


such an iconic place stretched our choir and demanded us to raise the bar for ourselves,” said student Emily Borges. “We reached a whole new level of excellence within our group and that was translated through the music we created. It was extraordinary for me to be a part of it!” “Skywalker was such an incredibly eye


opening experience,” sophomore Jon Quezon said. “I’m so honored to have been able to go. I learned a lot as far as phrasing, tone and molding into different genres of music. The long notes made me push myself to keep going without taking breaths and the constant dynamic changes kept me on my toes so I didn’t produce the same sound with every take.” Getting a peek into the grounds at


Skywalker where no filming or photography is allowed also had an impact on students. “I was awestruck by the beauty of the whole experience. The grounds themselves were gorgeous,” said Shaela Tyler.


“I was also


struck by the idea that we were given the space to experience and create. There is something radiant about watching people do what they’re passionate about. This was evident in Tom (Ruscica) as he led us and the production team to set the bar higher and higher for our performance.” “Recording at Skywalker Ranch stretched


me to reach for a higher bar,” senior Courtney Harvey said. “I learned that I am way more capable than I tend to believe I am and that


I should never be content to settle for just “good’”. The experience also proved to be a


tremendous learning opportunity for Jessup’s commercial music students who were able to get first-hand experience running the soundboard and mixing. “It was an awesome opportunity to be completely in control and doing the mixing,” said Luke Eldredge. “I had the opportunity to own it (the music) and run with it. It was a huge honor and a fantastic experience.” When the weekend was over, a Christmas


CD entitled O Holy Night and a gospel CD called Soul were the product of the memorable weekend. To learn more about Jessup Music or to purchase a CD please visit jessupmusic.com


SOUL


(Recorded at Skywalker Ranch)


O HOLY NIGHT


(Recorded at Skywalker Ranch)


Both albums are available for purchase at jessupmusic.com.


JESSUP MAGAZINE 15


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