A music production class from Libertyville High School created an album as part of their final project for the semester. Along with it, they are receiving a lesson on releasing a music project to the public, as the class is selling the music on the LHS website with the proceeds going to a domestic abuse shelter in Zion.
Matthew Karnstedt, the music production class’ teacher, said he first thought of the idea for an album at the beginning of the semester when he was laying out the assignments. He said he thought it could be a unique idea for a final project, while also allowing the class to get the music it made out into the world.
The final project itself was for each student to create a full piece of music, which were the culmination of lessons taught throughout the semester. From chord progressions, to drum patterns and mapping out a song, Karnstedt said he “let them loose” on the project.
“I wanted almost everything in the hands of the students,” he said. “So everything created by them, run by them, designed by them. And I wanted my role to just be tech support.”
The music was created digitally, with most of the students using Soundtrap for their digital audio workstation, but some students had other programs at their homes available to them. The music also features a range of sounds and genres. One song, for example, recorded a live guitar that was incorporated into the track.
“It’s definitely an eclectic mix of styles,” Karnstedt said. “I tried to put no restrictions on what they could do, so it’s all very original.”
Coinciding with this project were lessons on what it takes to release an album. This included marketing, advertising and post-production work on the music.
Karnstedt also said when he was organizing this project, one thing he approached the students on was the idea of using the album to help raise funds for a certain cause. After dividing up the students into post-work teams, one was tasked with finding an organization to donate to. After the options were given, the students chose A Safe Place as the recipient.
Damaris Lorta, the chief development officer for A Safe Place, said the class approached the facility with the idea. She added they were “forever grateful” for the offer, as it brings in proceeds, but also gave the facility the chance to talk to the students about healthy relationships.
“This (project) is definitely unique and creative,” she said. “This was a first for me, very unique and wonderful.”
The album is selling for $5 on the LHS website, with sales going on until the end of the month, Karnstedt said.
