Second Life - Musicians

A new world is open for musicians, Second Life.

In Second Life (SL) musicians from all over the world can meet and jam together, share ideas, play concerts, make money (well Linden Dollars).

In this report from CNN they talk with the members of Space Junky. Space Junky plays on average 3 times a week at different clubs around SL and to top it all off, they get paid. Why chose to perform in cyberspace on a virtual island you may wonder? Well in Space Junky’s case they have to, one of them lives in the United States, one in Australia, and one in Malaysia.

How do they do it? What’s real? What’s fake? In their case all their music is pre-recorded, they only control their avatar and the light show when performing, which makes you wonder, can they actually play? This is something to keep in mind. Musicians have to stream their music into the different “plots” of land, but once it’s streaming anyone who visits that “plot” instantly hears the music. Just like walking into a venue, if it’s loud you can’t avoid it. People can host their own shows on their own land, or they can chat with club and venue owners and set up a time to stream/perform in their location. To learn more about how they make it work check out the Second Life Music Community.

Ictus Belford playing at Sterling Vineyards in SL

Fans are even setting up look-alike concerts of their favorite artist, like U2, and it’s getting the attention of MTV. Read about it here, and watch a report on one of SL’s biggest stars here.

This may all seem a little weird, but with advancements in music technology and technology in general there may just be room for 2 worlds of music.

The Power of Music

MSCM unveiled its first self-produced musical collaboration called The Power of Music. The Power of Music is the blending of a live rock show and multimedia technology that creates a complete experience for its audience.

Starting the show is a narrator talking about how music has been around since before time, since before written word, through every culture there is music. Images flash on the screens of far away lands and ancient times reminding us, music is the vein of the past, present, and future. Suddenly the band appears and begins playing Billy Joel’s, We Didn’t Start The Fire, “We didn’t start the fire - It was always burning - Since the world’s been turning - We didn’t start the fire - No we didn’t light it - But we tried to fight it.” Taking the audience to a “hyped” level the band went straight into The Black Eyed Peas, Let’s Get It Started.

MC Antonio Rosario jumps in to remind us all that music is in everything we do, “How many of you have a Myspace page?” Listen to the radio? Google? YouTube? Ipod? Music is everywhere, it’s in your heart. The screens begin to play, what does music mean to you? The ability to communicate without words, over language barriers, through racial lines, straight to your core. Music has played a part through time…

The stage lights up, a medly of music through time: Brick House (The Commodores, 1977), Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees 1978), Beat It (Michael Jackson, 1982), Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana, 1991), Yeah! (Nelly, 2004).

What music do you love? The screens blaze again with people of all ages, races, genders, and walks of life talking about their favorites. The 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, Jam Bands, Christian, Rock, Rap, R&B, Country, Beethoven, Blues, John Mayer, Pink Floyd, Ray Charles, the list goes on.

The distinct guitar of Kashmir by Led Zeppelin fills the auditorium, then the vocals you can’t forget. The rock that paved the way.

Women in music. There’s only one in the entire band, don’t let that confuse you, Katie Shrive can hold her own. Her voice soars above the band and the video on the screen, Can’t Hold Us Down by Christina Aguilera and Lil’ Kim. As she continues singing, the images on the screen flash powerful pictures of women and their rolls in the world over time. Break in the song. A music icon comes on the screen talking about the business of music and taking charge of your own career, Diana Ross, a woman who paved her own road.

The screen flashes again to the many faces, all with their own dreams and goals in the industry. Music Producer, Songwriter, Beat Maker, Rock Star, Manager, Guitar Legend, Sound Technician, Lighting Technician. “For every 1 person on stage during a performance there are 20 people behind the scenes making the whole thing happen. There is always room for you in the music industry, keep it a part of your life,” Antonio Rosario.

What comes to mind when you think of special events? Is it a song? Can a song take you back to your first kiss, or a celebration? What do you think of when you hear these songs?     Taps     Happy Birthday     The Wedding Song     The Graduation Song. Katie’s voice enters in singing Amazing Grace with only the soft sound of the piano in the background, it sends chills through the audience.

Music can effect your mood, it can make you feel uplifted, “music is the best friend you can have, you will always have that song to fall back on,” said Antonio Rosario. The band goes into Eric Clapton’s Change the World followed by Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy and finally Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen. How do you feel when you hear these songs? Empowered? Crazy? Proud? All these feelings just from a song.

The whole thing ends with the audience participating in their own song that they can then download from mcnallysmith.edu, that flows into Queen’s We Will Rock You.

The Power of Music group will rock you, bringing you alone with them on their musical journey through time, emotion, and life changing moments.

McNally Smith College of Music Awards Honorary Degree to Al Schmitt and Announces New Bachelor of Science in Music Degree (Music Producer)

On January 14, 2008, McNally Smith College of Music Dean of Academic Affairs, Cliff Wittstruck, Dean of Music Industries André Fischer and Chair of Technology Bryan Forrester announced the establishment of the new Bachelor of Science in Music (Music Producer) degree during a presentation honoring music industry giant Al Schmitt. During an eventful ceremony held at the college’s St. Paul campus, Mr. Schmitt was interviewed and also fielded questions from McNally Smith students and guests about his fifty year career as an engineer and producer for a who’s-who of music’s biggest names. Following his talk, Mr. Schmitt was awarded the first Honorary Bachelor Degree of Science in Music from McNally Smith. College President, Harry Chalmiers, Deans Wittstruck and Fischer, and Technology Chair Forrester presented the degree.

“How incredibly appropriate to announce our new Bachelor of Science in Music degree on the same day we bestow an Honorary Bachelor Degree on the legendary Al Schmitt,” said President Harry Chalmiers. “Our new degree program is designed to provide graduates with all of the tools necessary for a successful career as a music producer, and Al is an inspirational figure who has reached the pinnacle of the field.”

Over the course of his illustrious career, Al Schmitt’s numerous accolades include nineteen GRAMMY® Awards for engineering and production. Growing up in New York City, Schmitt would take the subway to hang out at his uncle’s recording studio and soak up recording techniques. By age 19 he was working with the legendary Tom Dowd at Apex Studios. Dating back to the 1950s, Schmitt has engineered or produced recordings for greats like Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Jefferson Airplane, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Toto and many more. Counted among his GRAMMY awards are multiple hit recordings for Henry Mancini, George Benson, Steely Dan, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Quincy Jones, Norah Jones and Ray Charles. Schmitt has engineered, produced and mixed over 150 gold and platinum albums during his career, and he’s still going strong. In 1997, Schmitt was inducted into the TEC (Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards) Hall of Fame.

McNally Smith’s newly announced Bachelor of Science in Music (Music Producer) degree program is designed to prepare students for the rigorous demands of becoming a music producer. In today’s climate, the best music producers are well-rounded professionals who are proficient in technology, business, musicianship and general education. In addition to study in each of these areas, all degree candidates will oversee an album-recording project from start to finish, graduating with real-life experience as a music producer. McNally Smith, which was founded in 1985, also offers three additional Bachelor degrees as well as Associates degrees and diploma courses. The new degree, which has received the approval of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, is the first Bachelor of Science degree offered by the college.

“Our new Bachelor of Science in Music degree represents a major milestone in raising the profile and prestige of McNally Smith,” said noted record producer and Dean, André Fischer.

Dean Fischer and Al Schmitt talk during a Master Series presentation at McNally Smith College of Music.