December 2011, Part 2

As a third generation student, I can now
proudly call this my Alma Mater too!

It may seem odd to call this part two when my college graduation occurred nearly two weeks before the events detailed in part one.  But as the rest of life, it is what it is.

December 10th was a day nearly five years in the making (or over five years... depending on how you want to think about it).

The Berne Union Golden Rockets
gave me just the start I needed!

I spent three-quarters of my career as a high school student saying I would not consider the University of Cincinnati because both of my parents were alumni, as well as three grandparents and a handful of my extended family.  Thanks to opportunities my high school band director provided me with in Audio Lab Production 1 & 2 during my junior and senior years, I came to realize that I was meant to go to UC.  In Audio Lab, I learned basic intricacies of the world of music production and audio post production.  Desiring to follow these skills to college in hopes of finding a career in music production, I braved to ask for a suggestion of where I might study further.

As I was already aware, the first suggestion my teacher gave me was Berklee College of Music, Music Production and Engineering Major.  Being from a very small town (excuse me, village), the [then] $36,000 annual pricetag for a prestigous music school in Boston (a 14 hour drive) seemed way out of the question of even discussing with Mom and Dad.  To get into that program, you also needed to be accepted to the school for music performance and switch during your second semester.  I was a part of a good band program, but I still doubt that I would be able to get into Berklee today even if I really wanted to.

The second option my teacher gave me is one I had not been at all aware of to that point.  By having kept in contact with a previous audio lab student, my teacher was able to recommend the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music's Electronic Media Division.  I went home, googled it, and told my parents that I wanted to look at their alma mater...after years of telling them I didn't want to consider it.

The rest of how I came to study at UC is history.  I submitted my application less than a week before the deadline, my supporting material (all from my audio lab classes) a few days later, and received my acceptance letter on January 25, 2007!  Nearly five years, fourteen quarters, 217 credit hours, one 3.613 Cum Laude GPA, and 1,773 days later...I graduated.

The Electronic Media Division of UC's prestigous College-Conservatory of Music
gave me the proper foundation I was looking for to build the career I am now seeking.

December 2011 Part 1

So...December had both high and low points.  For starters, I became a college graduate.  We'll chat more later.  On the low points...I lost both my beloved Kitchi (guinea pig) and my Grandma Shaw.

Kitchi begging on the edge of
his cage for a carrot!

    Kitchi had his first respiratory infection in November just before Thanksgiving.  Knowing these infections can be fatal, we took a trip to the vet where he was prescribed an antibiotic.  He did get better, but within a few weeks, I was beginning to notice he was loosing weight.  When you weigh barely above a pound to begin with, any weight loss will be noticeable.  We went home home on December 22 to spend a few days with my parents and sister for the holidays.  That night I could just tell that he didn't feel well.  He loved carrots...possibly more than me...and he turned his face at carrots that night.  The next morning he woke me up.  I found him struggling on his side with only half of his body moving.  Not knowing what I could do to help him, I picked him up and held him as his body was shutting down.  He seemed to have trouble breathing too--which makes me think he had another respiratory infection.  I don't know if was aware of me or of what was happening to him, but I would like to think that I gave him a good life.

    Kitchi and I met at This Little Piggy & Me --a guinea pig adoption facility in Cincinnati.  My sister was still a student at Miami University and I was a student at the University of Cincinnati.  We were both happy guinea pig owners when we were younger and still love the cuddly cavy.  Sister found the guinea pig adoption facility online and told me.  We were both approved to become new guinea pig owners!  I adopted Kitchi on November 8th 2008.  He found his way to the adoption facility through a college girl (as told to me through the family that runs the facility) literally stole him from a party because his owners thought it was funny to feed him beer!  In his temporary home with This Little Piggy & Me he was given the name Kitchi--which means 'Brave' in the Native American dialect of Algonquin.  The little Kitchi was with me through the rest of my time in college but sadly needed to cross over the rainbow bridge on December 23rd 2011.  Now he gets to spend the rest of time buried next to my sisters "Piggy" whom Kitchi was very much in love with while they were both alive.

    My Grandma Shaw was a big part of my decision to choose the University of Cincinnati.  Knowing that my parents already regularly traveled to Cincinnati to see our extended family--always staying at Grandma's house in the process--made the decision feel practical.  Grandma's house is a mere 6.9 miles from the center of campus..  I had the opportunity to go to school away from my parents, but still be able to leave campus and see my family easily and at a moments notice.

Grandma and myself at my high
school graduation in 2007.

    This is the grandma that used to feed my sister and myself ice cream, even when mom said 'no.'  This is the grandma that used to let me come stay with her for a week (or so) at a time for what we called 'Grandma Camp.'  (I never really liked going to camp where I would make friends for a few days that I would never see again)  This is the grandma that would host sleep-overs for all of the cousins, stay up late with us, and give us a cookie before bed.  This is the grandma that used to give me a 'rub-a-dub-rub' with an oversized towel to dry my off as I climbed out of the bathtub.  Needless to say, she has had a big impact on my life.

    Her decline of sorts began on Easter of 2009.  That is the day that she broke (spiral fractured) her femur.  From there began other problems including trouble walking, eating, and general loss of strength.  She has had two extended hospital visits, each followed by stays in a convalescence center.  The end of the end was quick.  She celebrated her 88th birthday in October.  Less than a week before Christmas she was accepted as an at-home hospice patient.  That was a Tuesday.  Thursday she was barely conscious.  Friday she was peacefully sleeping.  Saturday was Christmas Eve.  She went peacefully during our traditional White Elephant gift exchange.  The game was originally her idea and she loved playing with us every year.

    To think of these events on a positive note, Kitchi was securely in my arms at the end and was able to have a happy life filled with treats and carrots with me.  Grandma lived a long life, she traveled the world, and was able to be in her own home, her own bed, and surrounded by family when she went.  She was, in a way, a Christmas present for family and husband.

    I'd like to believe that both Grandma Shaw and Kitchi are going to be with me for a very long time.

The UC Bearcat Bands Feature! It's Complete!

     I promise, this isn't another project by a band member about the band.  I don't want to brag too much, but I think my feature turned out pretty well.  If you're interested, here it is!

So, as you may remember from one of my earlier posts about this project, it was created as a part of my class, Uptown--part of the Electronic Media Division of the College-Conservatory of Music.

This piece is an insider look to how student involvement in the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands program affects students in positive ways.  It also portrays the variety of interests and activities that the band participates in at both the university and local community.

My role in the creation of this project has been in the making since the fall of 2007.  I was an active member of this organization for the first four years of my college career as a flute/piccolo player and squad leader.  Now, in my fifth year, I am a part-time videographer for game days and concerts.  Because of my involvement with the organization, I had a great experience working on this project being a fabulous one-man-band of a reporter.

I was the videographer, editor, writer, producer--you name it, I was it for this project.  While this is one of the first projects I have completed completely by myself, everyone that viewed this so far has loved it!  In fact, Dr. Frenz even requested a copy to take with him to a meeting he had with the President of the University, Gregory Williams!  (It may even find itself on the band website too!)

The Bearcat Bands has a long history of pride, tradition, and service to UC.  For more information, visit the band website here <http://www.ucband.uc.edu/band/> or call the office directly at (513) 556-BAND.

Here's Your Sneak Peak

        So...the project I am working on that I detailed in the post below is a work in progress.  What you can watch here is clearly (or should be clear) that it is not an unfinished portion of the intended project, but instead, a collaboration of the clips I have gathered into a sort-of montage set to the UC Fight Song.

        The UC Bearcat Bands traveled to Pittsburgh for the 2011 match up between the UC and Pitt football teams.  The trip was a lot of fun, despite traveling to and from in the same day.  The band did everything they set out to do that day, and since it was the Pitt Band Day as well, we joined with the Pitt Band and several hundred HS Band students to play versions of several popular Lady Gaga songs!

        For me, it was particularly exciting because Randy S, the announcer of the Bearcat Bands, and myself (mostly Randy) were able to literally walk into the press-box at Heinz Field and talk ourselves into 'credentials' for the night.  This basically means that we were able to get media press passes.  Since I am still in the beginning stages of my career, this may just seem significant to me because it is the first time someone gave me a legit media pass.  Regardless, it was super cool.

        Everything was shot with miniDV on a Sony DSR-PD 170, for anyone interested.  In fulfilling my being bored at home, this was edited using iMovie HD (the 2006 version).  The final project is in the process of being edited using Final Cut Pro.  It will be finished soon--I am getting my last needed interviews this upcoming Tuesday!

Coming Up Soon!

I've said it before and I'll say it again!  TUCBIDG
is awesome!  Here is a photo of The UC Marching
Band in script Cincinnati at a game in 2009. 

I am super excited for a new project I am about to embark upon!

I spend the first four years of my college career as an active member in the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands and am currently in my fifth (and last) year where I am a part time videographer.  I am also in a production class with The Norma Rashid who knows about my connections with the band.

As such, I have been volun-told (to my delight) to create a three minute insider feature of the band.  It is great timing too!  I'll be on a road trip with TUCBIDG this weekend as the UC Bearcats beat up on the Pittsburgh Panthers!

Yeah, yeah, yeah...another project by a band student about band. Right?  Wrong!  While I have focused a class project (on more than one occasion) on the band, this one will be massively different.  First off, it will be in HD Video!  Second, it is going to be awesome!

Doc, our fearless leader/head band director, is one of those jolly ol'men who is always happy to help his students in any way he can.  As such, he is more than happy to let me do my class project on an organization we both love.  He is also pleased that I suggested giving him the finished product for the band webpage <http://www.ucband.uc.edu/band/> so that prospective new members can get an inside look into the organization too.

While everything is still in the preliminary planning stages (aka--still in my head waiting to be written down), I only have a brief idea of what my finished product will be.  I do know that I am planning to do as much of the project by myself as I can--but also I am taking into account my production weaknesses of confidence in my writing and my mediocre video editing ability.  I say this not to diminish my abilities, but instead to admit that I have learned when to ask for help.  Additionally, I plan to interview at least two of the current band directors, a drum major, various students (mostly leaders), and an on-camera stand-up by yours truly.

I secretly think that Norma spent time scheming to find a way to get me to do an on-camera stand up because I was the only one in the class who was less than interested in that.  JK!  I know the band, what the organization is about, and what TUCBIDG stands for!