Some Ethical Concerns You Should Know About....

No one wants to hear about you….

So don't offer to tell someone about yourself unless they ask you…

I like to talk about myself. And I truly think its because I am proud of myself for getting where I am. If the things I have accomplished didn't surprise me, then maybe I wouldn't talk about it the way I do.

But its true. Ask other people about themselves because you never know what someone might have to talk about or say. Especially if you're like me…. talk talk talk and totally oblivious hahah

10.24.11


So, this week is Ethical Concern week and I chose to write about the Commercial Felony Streaming Act or S.978 that was brought to Congress last May 2011.

The Act is causing crazy hype all over the Internet, the news, blogs, and congress. Copyright law is cracking down to include streaming. As of today, copyright infringement only includes the illegal downloading, distributing, and reproduction of copyrighted works, but not streaming.

The major issue is whether this new Bill is going to take down one of the most popular networking site today ---- YouTube. There are a few other sites that would be affected if this Bill is aiming to take down all kinds of streaming, but there are some reasons to believe it wont.

As the harsh and strict rules of copyright and intellectual property law push forward to seemingly over-protect copyrights, the Fair Use Doctrine pushes equally as far to protect what is considered the cultural commons. When the public goes nuts thinking artists like Justin Bieber is going to jail if S.978 is passed because he was discovered on YouTube, singing copyrighted Chris Brown covers, Fair Use shields him and the rest of us by creating exceptions for educational, scholarship, and research purposes and a few others.

<------- Kind of funny, totally not going to happen though... hahah

So the ethical concern in my topic is whether this Bill will affect YouTube, an streaming-based website, and other social networks…

Thoughts

I love doing covers of other people's songs. I love it when other people sing my songs. I love YouTube and the opportunities to explore the talent and knowledge that the site provides to the public for free.

Hopefully, this is not as extreme as everyone thinks!

Class of 2015....

Apparently, CMS Student and my Degree Progress Report thinks I'm going to graduate in 2015...

I'm hoping not. Seriously, that's ridiculous.

10.10.11

So, Drew has decided to start something called Peer Mentoring, which will basically pair 306 students with 308 students who are mixing their projects right now. It will prepare us for the next semesters of Audio Production in 307, Mixing and Editing in 308, and so on! This is a great idea and I can't wait to start!


I ended up taking responsibility for getting a schedule for meeting times between the two classes depending on whose free. It's a little uneven because there is a group that mixes during 306 class time, so they don't have as many visitors. Hopefully 308 doesn't get overwhelmed with us!

Anyways, here is the schedule and Brent will be sending out reminder emails 24 hours ahead of time so that we all get the chance to jump on this opportunity!




I enjoyed writing my MLO 3 paper on Paul Stiller as well. I'm glad that Chicago format wasn't as scary to switch to as I thought it might be. Actually, I think I like it more!

So, I found out that MPA is pushing to make MPA 300 qualify as a GWAR as it should because it seriously is worth way more credits than it is and challenges my writing with every assignment. Its not fair that MPA gets pushed to the side so often. We do work too.... Don't be jealous that we get to work this hard for something we love so much!!!! :)

10.17.11

Monday was slightly depressing for the class. We all had to work on our ILPs and schedules for next semester. I was surprised when I found out that my degree progress report estimates that I will graduate in 2015!!!! Whoaaaaa! No way Jose.

I think I am going to attempt to take 2 online courses this summer through my community college that will get my last 2 GEs out of the way. I wish I would have known ahead of time that CSUMB doesn't roll with the GE/CSU transfer guidelines. So annoying. Although, I have been pretty lucky with the amount of courses and credits that have transferred over especially in the music department. Thanks Drew.

So I am going to be taking 21 credits next semester. yeah.

• MPA 307 Audio Production
• MPA 340 Artistic Development
• MPA 295 Special Topics
• MPA 338 Music History Online
• HCOM 403S GWAR (6 credits) ugh.
• BUS 304 Writing and Critical Thinking

I think this is right. I am hoping this doesn't end up to be too much because I really need to get some courses out of the way. 

Thoughts

I made the Vagina Monologues. I got moved to Sound Tech at the BBC even faster because I came though last Saturday and did surprisingly great with no training :)))) Very proud of myself! And 21 credits. I think I will be okay....

2015 my ass.

<--- Hanging off the edge of a 4 story building last Friday :) 

I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found....

About 4 years ago, a summer program at Berklee College of Music in Boston seriously changed my life in every way possible. Not only did I find my social self and overcome a long battle of self-awareness, but I realized that even though I wanted to focus my studies on Astronomy and/or Biology, I was meant to be a musician. Music was always a tremendous part of my life, but it wasn't my passion because I had no idea what it felt like. I never sang from my heart until that amazing summer 4 years ago. It was a revolutionary moment for me.

Paul Stiller was my Musicianship and Dictation/Ear Training teacher. I wish I knew what I know now, because this man is incredible. Now, I absolutely love ear training and dictations. He taught us things that I only appreciate now. I thought he was joking when he asked the class to write down whatever he was playing. I didn't think people could even do that! I once was blind. I liked his class so much, that me and my friends went to see his "Vox One" performance across town one night. The group is a vocal jazz, ensemble, percussion type group that explores the immense possibilities of the human voice. It was a show to remember. The closing piece was a 5 part version of Amazing Grace. But now I see. 

Fortunately for me, I got in contact with Paul and he still remembers me :) I'm very happy that I get to do my paper on him because he had a hand in laying down the first few bricks of my path towards music and where I am supposed to be...

10.3.11

<-------- Paul Stiller, Ear Training Professor at Berklee

In this paper, we must address our subject's Aesthetic Properties of Style. Basically, the beauty within the form like an artistic statement. This quality is what brings the music, performance, lyrics, etc. together. 

Next is the subject's Compositional Process. We must identify and analyze the creative process and aesthetic qualities such as songwriting, arranging, and whatnot. 

This paper has to be in Chicago format. 

I'm a little scared because I have never had to write in anything other than APA or MLA and I'm really good at that. I have my template I've been using since 8th grade in my head and it gets me an A almost every time. Oh goodness, I hope Chicago format isn't crazy. Apparently its good for us :) Wish me luck..

There has to be 5 headings and ask myself for each "Why is this significant"???? Intro, body, conclusion, 5 pages, subheadings with around 3 to 5 sentences each, write the intro last..... 

What is a conclusion? .....oh it's a conclusion. ....You can't define a word with the word Stevie Rae. Oh.

So I went through my bank of people I could write this paper on that I could actually talk to and not until Drew said, "Form your own connections" did I stop and think about the people that I personally know that are awesome and in my field of study. I'm reading a book right now written by Pat Pattison, a Berklee professor, and so Paul popped in my head. Did some research, found out he's perfect for my project, and every time I go back to Boston or one of my friends goes to Berklee, I ask about Paul because he was so quirky, fun, and got through to me! 

Thoughts

I'm pretty stoked :)

Here's an example of one of his compositions. I like this one because he used this pattern of syllables to teach us rhythm, articulation, site reading, etc. And I still kind of know it lol

Kind of a 3 - Vox One, Composed by Paul Stiller

Berklee <3 Best Summer Ever!