It’s Thursday after school. Ms. King stops recording for a duo – they’re filming a segment called Project Mixtape. Melanie Jimenez finishes interviewing a student, asking them questions about their favorite song, and how it’s impacted their life. This small, one minute recording, will come to be a part of a bigger show of the UAG community, ‘Sound On!’.
What even is Sound On?
Sound On! Is a segment held by Ms. King (the art teacher), with eleven students hosting segments; either together, or individually. Three or more segments are compiled into a three minute video, which all of the UAG community watches – or approximately 408 students and 30 teachers! The following segments are available for viewing-
- Anime Review
- Food Review
- Project Mixtape
- First Impressions
- Artist Representation
- Fit Check
- Game Review
- Music Maker
There are also skits! The team makes one for Christmas; maybe the most notorious and looked at episode in UAG.
Each of these segments have the goal to help bring new light into our community – whether it be with new music genres, or with emerging artists in our four walls. It consists of a team of eleven students – Taela Carter, Henry Hickman, Melanie Jimenez, Owen Matthews, Sonny Prisinzano, Joshua Salazar, Alonyah Walker, Echo Reb, Isabel Neron, and me – Sofia Cruz Rodriguez.
Behind the Scenes!
Sound On may be a small group of students, but with our segments and planning, it’s quite the process to record each episode. It first starts with the hosts of the segment deciding which day they want to record the episode – along with the location of the recording shoot. Let’s use “Project Mixtape” as our example. Melanie J (the host) schedules out The Stu for after school a day of the week; mainly Thursdays or Fridays for her musical interview. Melanie, Ms. King, and the student being interviewed set up, revise their key questions… and from there? It’s lights, camera, action!
Then comes the editing after the episode is recorded; either done by Ms. King or the host of the segment. She then compiles the segment with the others that are selected for the week. By Friday, 2:00 PM, the Sound On! Episode is sent out, ready for UAG viewing!
What are the opinions on Sound On?
Obviously, everyone is different – including their opinions. Here are some views I’ve taken from people – both staff and students. I asked one simple question:
“What is your view on Sound On?”
I got an opinion from two students and one staff member; here’s what they have to say. I interviewed my friend Julia U – Julia is a freshman. I had also interviewed a staff member – Mr. Schneider. Julia had shared that she felt that Sound On was “fun” to watch; Mr. Schneider had shared a similar opinion stating “It’s nice seeing the kids have fun.”
I had also gotten some other opinions, but there seems to be one big, communal view – people consider Sound On! as fun to watch.
All in All…
Sound On! Is a key in our community to opening more doors for opportunities – it gives us voices to communicate with others. It’s something that helps expand our four walls (figuratively), help us discover new tastes, talk with others, and to step outside of our comfort zones – basically acting as a bridge between our own interests and newer interests. Without it, imagine where we would be; almost in a repetitive state of mind!
