This freshman hits a high note

Colleen Rich — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:29:22 +0000

This freshman hits a high note Colleen Rich Wed, 09/01/2021 - 14:29

Freshman Jessica Taylor has been writing and producing her own music since middle school. Photo provided

When Jessica Taylor performed on stage with a band for the first time she reveled in the energy and a connection unlike any she has experienced anywhere else.

Except perhaps at Mason.

Taylor is a freshman music technology major at George Mason and is a University Scholar in Mason’s Honors College.

With 100,000 streams on Spotify, Taylor is on a fast track to her goal of a successful career in the music industry. She sees her time at Mason as an opportunity to advance her skills as a singer, songwriter and producer by taking courses in music theory, keyboard playing and voice lessons.

“I’m really excited to get to use the awesome practice rooms and further myself and my music,” said the Greensboro, North Carolina, native. “I genuinely think that classes are going to help me, and they will be challenging.”

Taylor said these courses will supplement her creativity.

“Voice lessons will help for live performances and being able to just control my voice; keyboard instruction will enable me to study sheet music and play the piano more professionally and efficiently; and music theory cover notes and scales, and just helps your music be more unique and complex,” Taylor said.

“My songs span a lot of genres because I’m still figuring out what I like best,” said Taylor. “I don’t prioritize lyrics or a chorus. If everything sounds good and has a groove to it, then I’m happy with it.”

Taylor said her biggest musical influence right now is Still Woozy, a pop artist who she said makes catchy tunes. Woozy’s music inspired Taylor by encouraging her to “embrace the idea that music can be abstract and you can still get across the point, and feel more freed.”

There are plenty of other musicians who inspire Taylor, namely Jon Bellion, Taylor Swift, and her supportive dad, a guitarist/bassist who sings and writes music just like Taylor.

“Jon Bellion has been an inspiration of mine for a long time, since eighth grade, because he also self-produces,” said Taylor. “He just uses his voice as an instrument and makes music you want to move to.”

Taylor began her musical journey in fourth grade, writing songs as a way to express herself. Her songwriting led to discoveries in producing. Eventually, she started producing in the sixth or seventh grade on GarageBand, a digital audio workspace mobile app.

Prior to coming to Mason, Taylor attended Weaver Academy, a performing and visual arts high school in North Carolina.

“I auditioned for music production there, and got in. From then on, songwriting and producing were intertwined,” said Taylor. “I was able to record my vocals over the tracks and put the two pieces of the puzzle together.”

Taylor said college life has been an adjustment.

“It has been the biggest emotional roller-coaster because I’m five and a half hours away from my family and we are really close,” said Taylor. “I’m really missing them, but it’s a lot of freedom. And it’s been fun to meet new people.”

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Mason music students collaborate to inspire others through song

Melanie Balog — Fri, 07 May 2021 01:46:08 +0000

Mason music students collaborate to inspire others through song Melanie Balog Thu, 05/06/2021 - 21:46

Stanley Engebretson, center, directs students in a performance of "I'll be on my way" for the Song of Freedom concert. Provided photo

Approximately 120 Mason music students recorded a digital concert to celebrate unity and resilience in the face of division and uncertainty. The concert, “A Song of Freedom,” presented by Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music, showcases works by Black composers as well as selections inspired by the African-American experience.

Cynthia Davis. Photo provided

The program, which debuts Saturday, May 8 as part of Mason Arts at Home, features two world premieres commissioned by the Dewberry School of Music from renowned composer Evelyn Simpson-Curenton and Michael W. Nickens, aka Doc Nix, Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Green Machines Ensembles.

“This magnificent concert is a true collaboration across our Dewberry School of Music students, faculty, and staff and is a celebratory finale to an unparalleled year,” said Linda A. Monson, Dewberry School of Music Director.

The performance includes students from the Mason Symphony Orchestra, University Choirs, Wind Symphony, Green Machine, Trombone Choir, Percussion Ensemble, and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble. Alumnus Mike Vitale Mike Vitale ('10 music education) made a guest appearance on baritone saxophone on the recording.

Cynthia Davis created this colorized version of a portrait of Frederick Douglass. Image provided.

Master of Music Composition student Andrew Sharrock ('16 bachelor's of music education), played trumpet for the concert, and praised Nickens for his attention to detail in the composition. "I have loved getting to work with Dr. Nickens and hearing about the influences he had when writing his piece. He was so incredibly intentional with every note and marking. When it came time to record my part I was able to do so in a musically fulfilling manner."

Andrew Sharrock. Provided photo

Musicians received backing tracks of 2-8 measures which they recorded and sent back to Nickens, who edited the recordings together said Sharrock, band director at Glasgow Middle School

Mason students were also involved in crafting the artwork and audio-editing the program.

Rosie G. Wright, a junior majoring in vocal performance, sang in the ensemble pieces and was a featured soloist for the commissioned piece "Passages" and "Light Of a Clear Blue Morning."

"Recording parts for all the choral pieces was a bit of a challenge," Wright said. "It’s nothing like being in person especially since you can’t hear the ensemble around you, but after much trial and error we made it work. It was very rewarding to hear our final products after only singing by ourselves into a computer for 3 months."

Rosie Wright. Photo provided

Wright also enjoyed the opportunity to hear directly from Evelyn Simpson Currenton about how she made her musical choices when composing "Passages."

Cynthia “CJ” Davis, a junior majoring in government and international politics with minors ins psychology and studio art, colorized a black and white original picture of Frederick Douglas, and took pictures of the process. “I chose purple for royalty and strength, and maroon to symbolize empowerment.” Nickens then put the artwork in a video to match the musical composition.

"No matter how far we are from each other, music and technology will always bind us together," said Grayson Crouch, a junior music major who served as an audio editor and vocalist for all of the songs in this program.

Simpson-Curenton’s world premiere of “Passages” features students from across the University Choirs, a guest solo appearance by School of Music alumna and Metropolitan Opera artist Aundi Marie Moore, as well as solos by current students Rosie Wright, Case Hope, and Eliyahu Young. Stanley Engebretson, director of choral studies, said “Passages” uses phrases from the Bible and other sources and lifts up the ideals of justice and of loving the common good.

“I have known Evelyn Simpson Curenton’s fine work for many years, so we were elated when she agreed to write a special commission,” said Engebretson, who added that the concert is special to him since he’s retiring June 1.

Nickens’ original work, “The Orator, The Abolitionist, The Man: Frederick Douglass” is based on the 1893 biography written by his great-great grandfather James Monroe Gregory, a contemporary of Douglass. His piece features the Mason Wind Symphony, members of the Green Machine, and spoken word derived directly from the biography and Douglass’ speeches, delivered as narration by Nickens himself. Around 30 musicians, and one visual artist, participate in this performance.

Grayson Crouch. Photo provided

“This project presented many opportunities to problem solve and reimagine my process,” said Nickens. “Two things that helped immensely were watching how students that have worked with closely continued to deliver for me, and getting to interact with students with whom I hadn’t ever worked or socialized.”

“Expect to witness the resilience of the collaborators,” Nickens added. “The bonds of our community transcend the limitation of the pandemic the same way Douglass’s clear message transcends time.”

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Jeanene Harris

This freshman hits a high note

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Mason music students collaborate to inspire others through song

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