As the last week of school brings the Spring semester to a close, Moorpark College’s Music Department looks back on the many triumphs of the overall semester.

The students that have put their hearts and souls into music reminisce about the semester. Connor Lott, 19-year-old business administration and marketing major, said he was impressed by such talent.

“[I’m] truly impressed; such beautiful music each in their own way,” said Lott. “So much diversity in style, perspective, and timbre.”

This was Lott’s first time composing original music and he was grateful for all the help he had to notate and write for cello and violin, he said.

“I’m extremely pleased how my piece turned out and I received help from so many people that I can’t be more thankful for,” said Lott. “This was an awesome opportunity that more people should take advantage of.”

Reflecting back on the semester, Lott said that being surrounded with music students or within the Music Association Club, he was pushed far in his musicianship and knowledge.

“I really owe a lot to them,” said Lott. “I was pushed musically, academically, personally, spiritually, and honestly grew in almost every way. Really an important semester for me looking back from when I started.”

For some students, Moorpark College’s music program opened their eyes to new opportunities and helped them realize that they wanted to be a musician.

Batis Bavali, 43-year-old music major, attended to Moorpark College to learn music.

“Music is the only thing which can make me happy, so I am doing my best,” said Bavali. “Spring 2016 semester was better than beginning semester I had because I felt I am learning better and more.”

Even though the spring semester is ending, fall is just around the corner. Suzanne Julian, adjunct professor of music and piano department, said she is looking forward to seeing her continuing piano students again in the fall.

“Some of them will take four consecutive levels of class piano with me over four semesters,” said Julian. “I am eager to see the development each of them will make and meet new students as well.”

According to Julian, as she walks by the practice rooms in the music building, she hears students practicing and has been greatly impressed with their continued advancement.

“I have seen tremendous progress with my class piano students,” said Julian. “So pleased to observe the progress of the applied students when they perform at their juries at the end of each semester—pianists, vocalists, instrumentalists.”

Music professor Nathan Bowen shares his most memorable moments of the semester including a new club who has put on two concerts with music written and performed solely by students.

“As a department, I think one of the real highlights has been the emergence of the student club: the Moorpark Music Association,” said Bowen. “The pieces were well rehearsed and they even filmed the concerts with multiple cameras to piece together some nice recordings. The MMA is really adding the vibrancy of our program and it has been a pleasure to watch unfold.”

Bowen said he is also excited that the department will be offering two new courses this fall: MUS M07- Introduction to Music Business and MUS M05- Beginning Electronic Music, which will be taught by Bowen himself.

“This will be part of our new Music Technology Certificate,” said Bowen. “For me personally, the most memorable part has been the long process of getting approval to offer a new Music Technology Certificate, which I think will do a lot to prepare our students to have a wide range of relevant and in-demand skills.”

According to Bowen, the MUS M05 class covers subject matter that he is really interested in: creative coding, getting deep into digital synthesis, and making electronic music that is performed, not just music played by pushing the spacebar.

Since more students audition for the applied program, the culture of the program has changed to be rigorous and very positive as well over the course of this semester, said Bowen.

“When you see your peers shredding on their instrument, it motivates you to put in the time to improve your own skills,” said Bowen. “Collectively, we now have a group of students who enjoy playing, who really have made substantial progress, and who set the standard for incoming students.”

According to Bowen, they are seeing these students get acceptances for transfer to the colleges of their choice, which is very exciting.

“Music is something that can never be contained or fully understood and it’s great to see the diversity of interests and talents that Moorpark has on the campus,” said Lott. “It is an absolute pleasure to be a part of.”