Where Ideas Become Sound: From Creative Collaboration to Industry Recording

Thanks to the Class of 1954 Composition Workshop Fund, Upper School students experienced a rare, real-world journey in music production, transforming collaborative musical ideas into a fully realized recording under the guidance of an industry producer.

Building on work they began in SCH’s Jaime Bell Recording Studio with Upper School Songwriting teacher Adam BW, students explored the art of recording under the mentorship of producer and sound engineers Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey. They learned everything from microphone placement to mixing techniques, shaping the final sound of their work with intention and creativity. Working side by side with professionals, students gained firsthand insight into the process behind recorded music, developing skills in both artistry and precision.

Born from this collaborative process, the track layers student ideas into a dynamic studio recording titled “Knocked Down,” featuring the work of Upper School musicians Max Tonkon, Ben Swain, Matt Lee, Sam Bevan, Chris Thelemaque, Charlotte Harris, Sarah Murphy, Gabby Kilshaw, and Ziggy Joynes. 

“It was incredible to watch these students transform their individual ideas into a shared vision as they brought ‘Knocked Down’ to life,” said Megan Monaghan, director of Arts at SCH.

As founders of Miner Street Recordings, McTear and Morrissey have worked with artists including The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, Zach Bryan, Sharon Van Etten, Waxahatchee, and Dr. Dog, offering students an authentic glimpse into the professional music world.

Experiences like this showcase the transformative power of the Class of 1954 Composition Workshop Fund, where students are inspired through hands-on mentorship, gain insight from industry professionals, and bring their creative ideas fully to life. 

Listen to “Knocked Down”