Gaining Hands-On Experience for Real-World Success
A New Jersey band and a solo singer-songwriter now have what they need to establish a more prominent name in the world of music as a result of the comprehensive work of several Music Recording students at County College of Morris (CCM).
Students who take part in the college’s Music Recording Practicum and Music Business Collaboration Project learn how to create industry marketing packages, consisting of a three-song EP with artwork, electronic press kit, podcasts and other promotional materials, for an artist of their choice.
This past Fall 2020 Semester, Jared Carcich, of Vernon, Irvin Garcia, of Dover, and Madison Pisani, of Landing, developed a marketing kit for Tim “Day Off” Dayon, a singer-songwriter from Vernon. The EP, “For You,” they created can be viewed at https://youtu.be/4wAaCPCi1N4/.
Sergio Gomez, of Morris Plains, Isaac Kersh, of Long Valley, 
Ryan Van Emburg, of Budd Lake, and Carcich designed a marketing package for Latchkey Kids, an indie punk band from New Brunswick. Their EP, “Grapeleaves,” can be viewed at https://youtu.be/FzA9KXaDioA/.
“The students are responsible for all aspects of putting together a music industry marketing kit, from design, to mixing and engineering, to editing,” notes Professor Todd Collins, who along with Professor Dan Palladino teaches the practicum course. Collins adds, “They learn everything that is required to produce a commercially viable record project, gaining hands-on training they can include in their portfolios and on their resumes.”
“While I was working on this project, my main goal was providing the band with the best possible record and meeting their expectation of what the EP should sound like,” says Gomez. “What we learned and working under a time crunch and being on a set schedule allowed me to stay focused and develop my skills. I would love to carry my lessons from CCM and share them with the world through recording, mixing or even teaching in the students in the music recording program at CCM.”
Students in the Music Recording Program at CCM learn in a state-of-the-art studio with the latest audio and recording equipment. Earning their associate degree, they have both the knowledge and experience to seek entry-level employment in the recording industry or to continue their studies at a four-year school. For more information, visit www.ccm.edu/music-technology/.
