The M40s, a unique student based band, is starting up this semester with a new sound, new students, new scene and new original music.
The M40s is a student based production band that is part of the FTVM M40 Intro to Audio Production class, run by Professor Jason Beaton. The band started back in the fall of 2015 and was meant to help the Introduction to Audio Production class learn how to properly conduct a live recording session. The goal of the M40 band is to record four songs which could be covers or originals.
“Being apart of a band where we don’t really know each other and trying to create music together is really amazing” said Nick Beason, a 20-year-old Film major and guitarist for the M40s. “We are kind of like Professor Beaton’s musical experiment.”
To be apart of the band, you need to be in the Introduction to Audio Productions class, and you would need to know how to play an instrument or how sing. There is no specified amount of how many individuals that could be a part of the band. However, there are usually three to five people in a band.
Students create their own original music for the program to play on the radio station here at Moorpark College, along with collaborating with other students that know what it takes to become professional musicians in the musical world.
Until, the band became bigger and bigger every year. Kaleb Violett, 21, general studies major with a discipline in humanities, was one of the very first band members.
“I joined the M40s my first semester here at Moorpark College, I started the fall of 2015,” said Violette. “I joined the band because I knew how to play drums, and I also joined the class because I wanted to become a triple threat in the music industry.”
The band records at the studio in the communication building while the rest of the class records the band from the audio room. They put their skills together and collaborate on ideas, sounds, and tones to improve the songs.
Spencer Richie, 20, Film major is the main singer of the M40 band this year. She’s been singing since she could remember and is very excited to start singing once again now that she is older.
“Joining the M40s band is a life goal for me” Richie stated. “I wanted to get back into singing because I missed it.”
Carlos Estaban, 24, is an intern for the FTVM program and the pianist for the M40s. He is very excited to be apart of the band because he wants to create music, along with earning college credit for doing something he loves.
Being apart of the M40s gives these students an opportunity to express their musical creativity, while gaining college credit as well. There is something that benefits every student.
“I’ve been playing piano my whole life, but I had to stop for a little bit, until Professor Beaton gave me the opportunity to play again.” said Estaban.
The M40s play a huge part in the FTVM program. Not only are they apart of the audio production class, but they learn the skills and live the life style of professional musicians. They develop team work, rehearsal sessions, writing original material and they perform a live performance during Club M at the end of the semester.
M40s are just like any other working professional band in the work field. They learn to work together as a team to create beautiful sounds and to entertain students at Moorpark College.
“How wonderful is it to be apart of a musical band, who don’t know each other or even know our musical likes or dislikes” said Beason. “We are one big experiment for the Audio Production class and honestly, I think this is the best way to create art in our own way.”
