Things I'm listening To Right Now by Keith Kelly

I like a lot of different music. Though I play mostly jazz and avant-garde music, I grew up very much as part of the alternative scene of the 90s: Nirvana came of age when I was in middle-school, Live 105 was the modern rock station in the SF Bay Area that played everything from R.E.M. to Tori Amos to NIN to The Cure to Violet Femmes - it was awesome!!!  So, I like to think my musical taste is pretty diverse, and pretty good. But maybe not! HA! Anyway, here are 5 albums that I am into right now.

Sharon Van Etten

Album: Are We There? (2014)

Song:"Every Time the Sun Comes Up"

Singer-Songwriter, Americana, great harmony voices, thoughtful and punchy

S.Carey

Album: Range of Light (2014)

Song: "Crown The Pines"

Part of the band/creative team for band Bon Iver, saw him play live at the Crescent Ballroom last year (great show!), moody, brooding, lots of overlapping instrumentals

The Unfortunates

Album: (The Music That Inspired) The Unfortunates (2013)

Song: "Down and Out"

Played a great show at PVCC in November 2014, great blues-influenced music, wonderful voices, catchy melodies, makes you want to sing-a-long

Bruce Brubaker

Album: Time Curve (2009)

Song: "Etude No. 5"

Solo piano, haunting, playing the music of Phillip Glass, sparse 

Paul Desmond

Album: Easy Living (1965)

Song: "That Old Feeling"

Swinging, happening, one of the most luscious sounds on the alto saxophone, put it on and make a drink

A San Francisco Bay Area native, Keith currently resides in Phoenix, AZ - where he is Coordinator of Music Humanities and Performance at Paradise Valley Community College. Prior to this appointment, he was Assistant Professor/Coordinator of Jazz Studies at California State University - Stanislaus. Additionally, he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at Arizona State University, University of the Pacific, and Boston University (Online). Keith holds a DMA in Music Education (Jazz Studies) from Arizona State University. An in-demand woodwind doubler and improviser, he performs regularly with Running From Bears, Static Announcements and The Scorpion Decides.

Musicians Wanted: The PVCC Community Band | MUP161 #36984

This course is a modern American approach to the American Wind Band tradition.

Our mantra is: Living Music by Living Composers.

This ensemble, while rooted in the past traditions of the Great American Band, is a look forward to its place in the 21st century. The band is going to perform music by living composers sometimes before the ink is even dry! There will also be a mixed media component, ranging from student-driven video content to live dance and visual art being performed with the ensemble.

Our faculty has a wide open approach to guiding our students in whatever direction their imaginations come up with.

PVCC Community Band performances will be an event, an experience. Selections for MUP161 come from some of the most famous living composers of Movie and Wind Band music, such as Michael Giacchino (Lost, Star Trek, Up), Rossano Galante (3:10 to Yuma, Live Free or Die Hard), Robert W. Smith, Eric Whitacre, John Mackey and Dan Bukvich.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR MUP161: COMMUNITY BAND

New Music Classes for Spring 2015

MHL 204-39149 -  Hip-Hop Music and Culture – 3 credits

A history of Hip-Hop's musical and artistic elements and how cultural, social, political, and economic conditions have shaped its evolution. Prerequisites: ENG101, or ENG107, or permission of Instructor.

TR, 2:00p-3:25p, G. Rulon-Maxwell, Begins on 2/3/15

MHL 155 – Survey of American Music – 3 credits

History of the music of North America from the earliest American Indian music to the present. Introduction to the musical trends, composers, socioeconomic developments and trends, musical forms and styles that influence our modern American musical sense. Prerequisites: None.

General Education Designations: C, H, HU

Multiple Sections, Days/Times, Instructors, Start Dates

MTC 113-35889 - Songwriting Techniques – 1 credit

Introduction to pop melody writing and harmonic settings. Development of short ideas into complete songs with the use of contrast, variation, and repetition. Consideration of the pros and cons of writing songs with a partner or small group. Prerequisites: None. Note: Basic note reading and/or music theory is advisable.

W, 3:30p-4:50p, C. Scinto, Begins on 2/18/15

MUC 110-18005 – Music Business: Recording and Mass Media – 3 credits

The operation, scope, and career opportunities in the music business. Focuses on the record industry; environmental music; uses of music in radio, telecommunications, and film; and career options. Prerequisites: None.

Multiple Sections, Days/Times, Instructors, Start Dates

MUC 137- 18287 – Digital DJ Performance Techniques – 3 credits

Covers the skills required for live performance employing digital media with an emphasis on programs such as Serato Scratch Live and Ableton Live. Prerequisites: None.

F, 12:00p-3:00p, A. Noe, Begins on 1/30/15

MUC 211-38294 - Advanced Industry Topics: Artist Management and Development

Operation, scope, and career opportunities in the music business. Focus on advanced aspects of artist management and development. Include roles and responsibilities of an Artist Manager, the nature and structure of the relationship between an Artist and Artist Manager, and the development of business, and career management techniques for Artist Managers. Prerequisites: MUC109, or permission of Instructor or Department or Division Chair.

W, 6:30p-9:10p, R. Spenser, Begins on 1/21/15

MUP 181- 18363 -  Multi-Media Performance Ensemble – 1 credit

The multimedia ensemble is a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) ensemble at PVCC. Our first project for the semester will be to augment a video game experience by creating live music and media to a live video game. Should you sign up for this course, you have the opportunity to determine the direction of future projects as the remaining projects will be co-constructed by the ensemble members. All creative individuals, with any level of experience or abilities, are invited to collaborate in this new experience offered at PVCC. If you can create music, write a program, design media, express yourself through dance, frag a n00b, build your own device, or think outside the box, this ensemble is for you.

T, 5:00p-6:50p, J. O’Leary, Begins on 2/3/15

The PVCC World Music Ensemble

The PVCC World Music Ensemble

For a complete listing of classes for Spring 2015,  click here or call (602) 787-6595.

MUP 181-18362 -  World Music & Percussion Ensemble – 1 credit

Learn the cultural history and performance styles of music from Africa, Latin America, India and other countries. No experience necessary.

T, 7:00p-8:50p, J. Parker, Begins on 2/3/15

 

2014-2015 Battle of the Bands at PVCC

The Music Department and the Commercial Music Program are pleased to announce the thirteenth edition of the Battle of the Bands. Area bands of all genres that write original music are encouraged to apply. Download an application here.  See competition guidelines here. The deadline for submissions is September 24th, 2014.

Application materials can be submitted in person to the Fine & Performing Arts division secretary, located on the first floor of M-East Building, by fax at 602-787-6674, or via e-mail to Dr. Brett Reed.

For additional information about the Battle of the Bands, contact Dr. Brett Reed or by phone at 602-787-6554.

 

SCHEDULE FOR 2014-2015 BATTLE OF THE BANDS

September 24, 2014: Application materials due

October 4, 2014 at 12:00pm: Live Audition Round 1, CPA Outdoor Amphitheater

November - December 2014 (Date/Time TBD): Pre-production meetings with selected bands, including songwriting workshops,
copyright and publishing workshops, band photoshoot, recording studio tour and practice suggestions.

February - April 2015: Recording sessions

May 8, 2015 at 7:30pm: Battle of the Bands Winners Concert at PVCC, Center for the Performing Arts Mainstage Theater