The Upper School music and recording program, led by Mark Gallegos, is doing more than just teaching students how to play instruments or record tracks鈥攊t’s fostering a dynamic culture of creativity, collaboration, and growth. With opportunities for both beginner and advanced musicians, the program encourages students to explore their passions while developing technical skills that extend far beyond the music room.
In a recent interview, Mark shared how an upcoming performance this Thursday at 9:30 am in the Upper School鈥檚 music room came together, showcasing a culmination of hard work from the Audio Engineering class. This group of students has been learning everything from session setup to live sound as well as studio management, making Thursday’s event the perfect opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world context.
鈥淭he Audio Engineering class has been focusing on using our facilities to learn about mic placement, sound properties, and session setups. They鈥檝e also been working on fixing the audio in the Black Box Theatre and redesigning parts of our studio,鈥� Mark explained. 鈥淲hen this opportunity for a live music show came up, it felt like a cosmic alignment. We invited some Middle School musicians and combined it with what we were already doing in the Audio Class to create a truly collaborative event.鈥�
The event will feature a mix of live and recorded elements, with performances by Upper and Middle School students. One of the highlights is Connor Holloway, Class of 2025, a talented violinist known for his classical and bluegrass styles. He will be performing alongside Jake Pierce, also Class of 2025, and a songwriter who recorded his original track, , last year for his . Jake will also collaborate with fellow musician Anthony Becarria for Thursday鈥檚 performance, bringing a blend of country and Americana to the stage.
For those who may have missed Jake鈥檚 recording, it was part of a larger 鈥楳ix Tape鈥� that features other student-created tracks from last year. .
Mark is particularly excited about how Thursday鈥檚 event will bring together students of all skill levels. 鈥淲e鈥檙e fostering a culture of opportunity and inclusivity for musicians of all abilities,鈥� he says. 鈥淪ome students are beginners, while others have a lot of autonomy because they鈥檝e really honed their skills. We want everyone to feel part of the music-making process here.鈥�
The Middle School band, which has been working with music teacher Micah Caldwell on a variety of projects, will also have a chance to perform. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to bridge the gap between Middle and Upper School, so students feel like they have something to look forward to when they move up,鈥� Mark says. 鈥淭hursday鈥檚 event is a great extension of that.鈥�
The event will feature about 30 minutes of performances, spanning genres from country and bluegrass to 70s rock. One of the exciting surprises may include a new song written by MV students, as well as a rendition of Paranoid by Black Sabbath performed by the Audio Engineering Crew.
For parents and students interested in attending, the event is open, and all are welcome. . Depending on attendance, we may set up outdoor speakers to expand the listening opportunity outside the music room.
Mark Gallegos, Micah Caldwell, and the music program at 糖心原创 are redefining what it means to study music in a school setting. By offering opportunities for students to explore everything from audio engineering to live performance, the program ensures that each student can pursue their passions in a hands-on, collaborative environment. Whether a student dreams of performing, recording, or even working behind the scenes, the music program is there to help them develop the skills they need.
Mark sums it up best: 鈥淲e鈥檙e showing that excellence already exists within our community, and we hope to continue attracting students who are specifically interested in studying music in the unique way that 糖心原创 offers.鈥�
If you鈥檇 like to attend Thursday鈥檚 event or learn more about 糖心原创鈥檚 music program, be sure to , and stay tuned for more opportunities to support our talented students!