on a HIGH NOTE

on a HIGH NOTE Making Music: Create a home studio page 6 Black Fret: Patrons of local music page 14 Classic for a Reason: Classical guitar in Austin page 20

winter 2016 issue

A ukulele photo by Iris Renteria

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Hello, readers!

We wrote this magazine to share our love for music in a way that is easy and enjoyable to read. Much of the music world can seem inaccessible to the average person. Unreachable celebrities and expensive equipment put up a barrier. We are aiming to show a way around this barrier and showcase some ways that you can experience music here in Austin without having to pay much.

Whether you want to start learning to play music, are only interested in listening, or are experienced and want to become more professional, we have an article for you.

Enjoy!

- Iris Renteria and the rest of the On a High Note team

The inside of Iris Renteria’s upright piano.

Photo by Iris Renteria

DEC 2016 | 3

Table of Contents

Classical guitar

photo by Iris Renteria

Inside of a piano photo by Iris Renteria

4 | DEC 2016

03 06 10 12 14 18 20 23

Letter From The Editor Letter by Iris Renteria

Making Music A how-to for making your own home recording studio

Condenser VS Dynamic A comparison between the two main types of microphones

Music Venue Map A map of 7 best unappreciated music venues in Austin

Black Fret Profile on Black Fret, a music charity organization

Classical Guitar Construction A diagram explaining the different parts of a classical guitar

Classic For A Reason Classical guitar in Austin

Writer Bios Get to know our contributing writers

DEC 2016 | 5

Making Music

A how to for creating a home recording studio

by Spencer Wallace

Many

first step to deciding the room you want to

you will probably have to do some amount

use is to figure out what level of recording

of construction to get your studio to a high

you want to do and who you will be

enough quality to record at that level. Many

people don’t think they have the

recording. Obviously,if you want to record

people are not too skilled when it comes to

necessary money and resources for creating

at a professional level, you will have to put

construction so be sure to know when to

their own home recording studio, but in

it more money for a higher quality studio

get professional help when needed. Google

modern times, it is possible to create a

space. Also, when you are recording more

is always one of the best places to start

one for several thousand to even several

people at once, you will need more space

when looking for help.

hundred dollars. All you need is a bit of

to comfortably fit everyone, as well as all

Once you have a good foundation for a

money and the right start, and you will be

necessary equipment. “You can only expect

studio, the equipment to record music

able to record good quality music in your

to be able to do certain things, you can’t

is the next step. The type of equipment

own home.

fit a whole band into a spare bedroom, but

that you should buy really varies because

Creating a home recording studio is not as

you can do a lot of stuff one instrument

everybody is recording different types of

daunting of a task as many people believe,

or track at a time to put together a whole

music in different spaces. The best advice

and the best way to ensure success is to

recording in a small space,” says Mark

here is to do your research and make

know your budget. Try to hold yourself

Genfan, owner of Acoustic Spaces. Know

educated purchases based off of your

to that as much as possible. It is better to

your limitations when it comes to space

needs. Theoretically, units with a higher

have a plan for how much you are going

and be practical. If you are recording as

price are of higher quality, so know your

to spend on the studio space the different

a solo artist or recording different tracks

budget and understand you may have

types of microphones you are going to buy, and any other amenities you want.

Budgeting is the best way to keep yourself accountable for what you are buying and is

to sacrifice quality for

“When you’re interested in music and how it’s created, you’re very fascinated by the recording process. I was always interested in the studio aspect of music, I would see different images of studios or videos of artists recording and I would remember what was in there or how it looked” -Kwame Armstrong

price. “You really have to research and kind of stay away from the brands” says Kwame Armstrong. He has a basic setup of a vocal booth and his computer with a mixer and a few

a great way to make sure you don’t spend

by yourself and layering them, you may

microphones. Name brands often have a

too much. Also, the studio space is always

have a few more options because a single

higher price tag, so when he chooses to buy

the most important aspect of the studio as

person needs less room than a whole band.

a new mic, specs are always the first things

a whole. Make sure to research and find the

“[The room] wasn’t really that big, but

he looks at, making sure he is getting

equipment that bests suits your needs, and

the rest of the studio was maybe 10 feet

what he wants and needs at a good price.

create a budget for what you are going to

by 6, just a regular

buy.

bedroom. You don’t

The baseline of a studio and what can

need much space

really make or break it is the room that the

at all” says Kwame

studio is in. Many people underestimate

Armstrong, self

the value and importance of acoustic

recording vocal

treatment or having sound booths. The

artist. Finally, if you are recording at a

8 | DEC 2016

professional level,

Shure Sm-58

photo by Christopher Sessums

Stack of Scarlett 2i2 audio interfaces photo by Matt Vanacoro

excellent unit if you are okay with dropping

large and small, they’re certainly going

Choosing a microphone depends on what

$120-$150 on it. Once again, make sure

to have a lot of experiences that should

you are recording, such as vocals, higher

you look around at other products and find

give you some good information”. Lastly,

instruments or lower instruments. To

the one that fits your needs for the best

“Don’t drop 1000 dollars on a fully decked

further complicate the purchase, different

price/quality ratio you can find.

recording space with in-line speakers and

types of mics are specialized for different

For final tips, Carlson, Genfan and

lines of microphones if all you need is

types of instruments. “I think the SM-58

Armstrong provided different perspectives

slightly higher quality sound. Plan, and

is the best vocal mic on the market in that

to make sure that your experiences in

only purchase what you need” says Nate

price range, and I’m very happy with its

creating your home studio go as smoothly

Carlson when informing on how to make

performance,” says Nate Carlson, student

and easily as possible. “Take your time, and

smart purchases on only what you need for

and owner of a home recording studio for

less is more,” says Armstrong. “You don’t

your recording quality to be at the level you

his band, First Thursday. “The ES-57 is

have to go all out with the foam and have

need it to be at.

fairly good, and the Scarlett is fantastic”.

lights and have all the whole shebang. You

Creating a home studio is not as hard as

The Shure SM-58 is a good quality standard

can really get a good sound quality from

you may think as long as you know where

vocal mic for around $100, that is a good

the least amount of things”. Armstrong’s

to start and how to be smart about it.

starter vocal mic for any beginner. The

advice is for keeping your studio low in

Don’t underestimate the power of modern

band’s instrument microphone, the ES-57

cost, while having a good quality. “Do your

technology because having a decent sound

was bought for their needs, and Nate is

homework and get an educated stance,”

quality in recordings is now cheaper and

very pleased with its performance, so if

says Genfan. “Read books on studio

easier than ever.

you are looking for a good instrument mic,

building, get on the internet and read about

this may be a great option. The FocusRite

stuff. Talk to other people who are building

Scarlett 2i2 is a dual input audio interface,

studios by all means because if you talk

that has a bit of a higher price tag, but is an

to other people, other studio owners

Cover photo of Kwame Armstrong’s home recording studio Cover photo by Kwame Armstrong

DEC 2016 | 9

A comparison of the main microphone types.

by Spencer Wallace

How it Works Condenser mics work by storing an electrostatic field between two plates, one of which is thin and flexible. This is the diaphragm, and when it vibrates in the presence of sound waves, the amount of energy between the plates fluctuates. Many condenser mics require an external 48 volts of extra power, often called “phantom” electricity to supply power to the electrostatic field.

There are two main diaphragm sizes, which affects their ability to handle pressure, sensitivity and noise level. Small diaphragms are stiffer and less sensitive, but have a larger range because they can handle higher pressures. Larger diaphragms are more sensitive and less stiff, but can’t handle high pressure and loud sounds as well.

Best Beginner Models • • • • •

Uses • •

10 | DEC 2016

MXL 770 Cardiac Condenser $75 Behringer B-1 Studio Condenser $100 Audio-Technica AT2020 $99 MXL 990 Condenser $99 Samson C01 $70

String Instruments, except for louder bass guitars Most instruments that aren’t too loud

Best Beginner Models • • • •

Sennheiser E835 Dynamic Cardiod $55-$90 Blue enCORE 100 $55 Shure SM-58 $100-$110 Shure SM-57 $100

Uses • • • •

How it Works A wire coil is connected to the diaphragm in dynamic mics, and when the diaphragm picks up on sound and vibrates, the coil is passed back and forth by a magnet, creating an electrical current in the wire coil that is transferred through the wires.

Because of this, dynamic mics are much more rugged and resistant to things such as moisture and pressure. They are good general use microphones that are used widely for live performances due to their overall ability to take a beating and still provide exceptional sound quality. They do not require external power because there is no electrostatic field to supply.

Bass Guitar Live Vocals Drums Most loud/high pressure instruments

DEC 2016 | 11

7

of Austin’s

BEST

Live Music Venues

by Sofia Moore

As the Live Music Capitol of the world, Austin has many different music venues. Larger ones, like the Frank Erwin Center and Stubbs, are very well know, but there are many other venues that are deserving of recognition. Here’s a map of some of Austin’s most under appreciated venues.

The Parish 214 E. 6th St.

If you are looking for a place with fantastic sound quality and high quality tech and lights, the Parish meets these requirements.

It has a large floor that is good for dancing, and a large array if different music genres play here, making it very diverse.

Broken Spoke 3201 S. Lamar Blvd.

If you live in Austin, chances are that you’ve heard of the Broken Spoke.

Founded in 1964, this iconic landmark is a bit of a dive, but that is the charm. It plays honky tonk music, and also offers dance lessons!

Elephant Room 315 Congress Ave.

At the Elephant Room, there is a laid back vibe that is perfect for relaxing to the jazz that is played there. To make things even more enticing, shows there only cost around $5.

12 | DEC 2016

Cactus Cafe

2247 Guadalupe St.

The Cactus Cafe is a coffee house notorious for showing artists that get discovered and go big, such as Bob Schneider and Townes Van Zandt. This venue usually plays singer-songwriters.

The Mohawk 912 Red River St.

Rated best live music venue in Austin by the Austin Chronicle in 2015, the Mohawk is definitely a venue to see a show at. It has a 3 story patio which makes it perfect for intimate listening, and mostly plays indie and alternative rock.

White Horse 500 Comal St.

The White Horse was founded by the manager of Hole in the Wall, another well known Austin Venue. It plays indie country and is styled to look like a 70s lounge complete neon signs.

Continental Club 1315 S. Congress Ave.

The self proclaimed “grandaddy of live music venues� has been around since 1955 and became so popular in Austin that it actually spread to Houston in 2000. It plays rock, rockabilly, country, swing, and blues.

DEC 2016 | 13

Black Fret

Patrons of Local Music

by Sofia Moore

As an Austinite, you enjoy all the interesting places and activities in our town. We are home to many diverse festivals, delicious food and places to get in touch with nature, ensuring we never have a dull moment.

With the large variety of movie theaters, clubs, and venues, you can do something every day of the week. Then there’s the music. Musicians seem to be everywhere in Austin. Walk down the block you can almost always find someone playing an upbeat tune on a worn guitar that you can’t help walking in time with. Our city has a certain lively vibe, and all Austinites find a source of pride. You can’t imagine Austin without its lively music scene as it is such an integral part of our community, but what are you doing to keep those musicians from leaving?

Everyone wants to make sure that our musicians keep writing their music, but it’s never been easy to live as an artist. Things go wrong. Records don’t always sell, instruments can break, and rent might be raised. Stuck playing shows at bars where no one is listening or tipping well, a steady income is almost impossible to find through music. Through all of this, it is tough to continue to create music. Life always has a way of getting in the way, and our musicians need help.

That’s where Black Fret comes in. They are a non-profit organization devoted to helping some of the most talented musicians in Austin follow their calling in life by giving out grants, throwing concerts to showcase different bands and create a community where members support each other. Started in 2014 by Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott, this organization has now given grants to almost 300 musicians and plans to keep giving.

Kendrick says they gave donors a way to support musicians and, “We’ve given gravity to a community that existed in Austin that

was people who had disposable income who Black Fret Logo were donating to charities that wanted to is pretty simple. First, Black Fret takes support the local music scene.” about 800 local bands that have been Kendrick has been committed to nominated by members and the advisory Austin music since he was young. board and narrows it down to only 20 in Growing up here, he used to sneak out a 3-month process, working with several to see bands often. After he completed professionals in the music business to help his undergraduate’s degree in audio see the potential of each musician. Those engineering, he worked with Austin City 20 bands, the cream of the crop, become Limits doing minor jobs like wrapping the bands that are cables and up for grants that setting up year. This means microphones, Black Fret will put eager to be on private concerts involved in at venues all over music in any town for all of way possible. In them so members 2001, he realized can come and that there evaluate who weren’t many they are going to organizations vote for to get the helping bigger grants and musicians, so who they think he started the should get the Daniel Eyes and The Vibes (2016 grant nominees) Austin Music photo by Nicola Gell smaller ones.

Foundation. Still These concerts seeing that more aid are some of the reasons Black Fret has the was needed, he again felt the need to start a members that it has. When you have to pay charity devoted to supporting Austin music. $100 a month, it deters people without a “It seemed pretty obvious there was an large income from joining. Maybe you, the opportunity to create something like a reader, don’t understand why people would symphony or an opera that targeted popular want to join. That’s where the members liberal music, particularly in Austin,” says themselves can help you understand.

Kendrick.

“The cost can be justified in several different Now that the idea was there, it needed a ways,” says Black Fret member John name.

Moore. “To go out and spend a night on the “So a fret being the thing you pin the guitar town is not cheap to begin with, but you’re strings against on the neck of the guitar is getting more from it than just entertainment a pillar of which against music gets made,” value. It’s something that I think everyone says Kendrick.”Black Fret is that. We are should be aware about, giving back to their a pillar in the community that tries to help community. And that’s something everyone music get made.” should do.”

Now the organization has a name is The concerts are personal and really all finding artists with a future to help out. about the music, as members aren’t going The process of getting the bands together

DEC 2016 | 15

The Rocketboys (2014 grant winners) photo by Chad Zellner

just to have a good time. When they go, they are going to assess the bands and who they will vote to receive the grants. This means everyone is quiet and respectful. No one is trying to talk to their friend while the band is on, no one is on their phone and not paying attention, and no one is being so loud you have to wonder if they even know they are at a concert.

Not only that but the concerts play early; in the evenings from 8 to 10, leaving room for 2 different artists as well as a special guest.

“I think it’s literally the only place in town that you can see all the best bands in Austin consistently playing early shows,” says Kendrick.

After Black Fret has put on what they deem to be enough concerts, it’s time for everyone to vote on which bands they would like to see receive grants. They can choose from

“A hand written lyric sheet gets you $300”

the 20 bands that were showcased, or they can choose any other local band that they think deserve a grant. “[I vote for] the ones that I really like,” says John Moore when asked how he decides who to vote for. “The ones that I think really need it. The past couple years the bands that I’ve been voting on aren’t even in the drop down box … [I’m voting for] something that really gets me moving in my heart. Something that sounds good, sounds crisp. [I’m] not look for ‘ok, you’re going to go somewhere,’ [I’m] going for what [I] like today.”

16 | DEC 2016

Once all the members have submitted their votes, the grants are given out at the biggest event on the Black Fret Calendar: The Black Fret Ball. Taking place at the Paramount, members dress up in black tie and come listen to the grant finalists one last

“I think it’s literally the only place in town that you can see all the best bands in Austin consistently playing early shows.”

time. Members look forward to eating the exquisite catered food provided for them usually from Central Market, socializing with other members and dancing the night away. At the very end, the 20 bands are brought up to receive their grants. Half will receive $15,000 and the other ten will receive $3,000. You may think that that’s where the process ends, but you would be mistaken.

Although the money is theirs, the bands don’t get it all at once. They have to unlock it through different activities.

“A handwritten lyric sheet gets you $300,” says Kendrick, listing some examples.

“A demo recording gets you $400, a professionally recorded and digitally mastered engineered recording gets you $400, releasing a song on a record gets you $300, playing a tour date outside of Austin gets you $250, international $500.”

These little prizes help ensure Black Fret is investing in their future, not just giving them a free handout. As the bands do more and more, the money will add up. The task

that unlocks the most money is playing for another local charity, as that is worth $1,000. This just further exemplifies that the Black Fret gives back to Austin.

Once the grants are unlocked, bands can do with them what they will. For The Rocketboys, a $15,000 grant winner, it saved their tour.

“Last year we were up in Maryland and we got in an accident and totaled our van and trailer,” says Brandon Kinder, the Rocketboys lead singer. “If it wasn’t for the Black Fret people, I mean, because of them we were able to buy a new van right then and there and we were able to keep on going. So it’s been a real life saver and we’ve gotten to do a lot more cool things because of the resources that they give to us.”

Bands like the Rocketboys have gotten more than just the grant money come of their relationship with Black Fret. Because of the community Black Fret has created, they have gained access to people in the music industry that can take them to the next level. The Rocketboys were able to get in contact with someone who works for a radio station as they were about to release a new record, and radio play really helped them sell more of their songs.

Although it isn’t realistic to expect everyone to be able to donate the $100 a month required to be a member, no one can ignore the importance of the work Black Fret is doing. By supporting local artists, they are supporting Austin and keeping our music scene alive.

Collage Photos from top left to bottom right: Golden Dawn Arkestra photo by Nicola Gell, Ray Prim photo by Anna Mazurek, Harvest Thieves photo by Nicola Gell, Calliope Musicals photo by Nicola Gell, Dan Dyer photo by Nicola Gell, Walker Lukins photo by Nicola Gell, Leopold and His Fiction photo by Nicola Gell, Brownout photo by Nicola Gell, Nakia photo by Nicola Gell, The Peterson Brothers photo by Nicola Gell, Sweet Spirit photo by Anna Mazurek, The Rocketboys photo by Davep Photography, Bee Caves photo by Nicola Gell, Magna Carda photo by Nicola Gell, Swimming with Bears photo by Nicola Carda, The Name Sayers photo by Nicola Gell

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DEC 2016 | 17

Classical Guitar

by Iris Renteria

CONSTRUCTION Bracing:

Bracing affects the sound of the guitar.

Guitars can be made with either symmetrical or non-symmetrical bracing. Fan bracing is the most commonly used.

Body:

The main part of the guitar.

Back: The flat piece of wood on the back of the body

Bridge: The wooden strip where strings are attached.

Saddle: The piece of wood that the bridge is mounted on

Sound Hole: Lower Bout:

Cicular section of the body.

Soundboard/Top: The front of the guitar.

18 | DEC 2016

The circular hole cut into the soundboard Rosette: The decorative circle around the soundhole

Upper Bout:

Cicular section of the body, slightly smaller than the lower bout.

Some parts of a guitar are easy to identify, such as the strings or the neck. However, there are many other items that are less widely known. This diagram goes into more detail, and provides names and descriptions for some of those items.

Nut: Fretboard/Fingerboard:

The white strip that has grooves to guide the strings to their respective places in the headstock

The front of the neck, the section with frets.

Headstock:

The piece of wood located at the end of the neck to which the tuning machine is attached.

Neck:

The long piece of wood between the body and the head

Frets:

Metal strips inlayed into the fingerboard. There are generally 12 frets off of the body

Tuning Pegs:

The pegs that are used to tighten and loosen the strings and change their pitches.

Strings:

The six nylon wires that are played on.

DEC 2016 | 19

Classic for a Reason on classical guitar in Austin

by Iris Renteria

The back of Iris Renteria’s classical guitar. photo by Iris Renteria

Classical music usually isn’t what comes to mind when the guitar is mentioned. A person is more likely to think of the exciting riffs of an electric guitar or the soft chords of an acoustic. Contrary to the common belief, classical guitar is an interesting thing and there is a rich and vibrant community of classical guitarists growing in Austin. Many people come to Austin because of the existing resources, which leads to the community growing further.

A big contributor to the classical guitar scene in our city is Austin Classical Guitar. The nonprofit organization endeavors to “inspire individuals in our community through experiences of deep personal significance,” says current director Matthew Hinsley. He moved to Austin at age 20 to

20 | DEC 2016

start his master’s degree and inherited the pre-existing organization. However, the association was radically different at the time. The budget was very small and the set of programs was limited.

“A lot of my job was chief volunteer to do everything.” Hinsley says. Nowadays, things are done on a much larger scale. The organization currently runs a wide variety of classical guitar programs on a budget of about $1 million. As the resources have shifted, so have the goals. ACG now focuses mainly on education, especially teaching middle and high school students across the city how to play guitar.

“A lot of the students that we see in the guitar programs across the district are students who are coming to music for the first time,” says Travis Marcum, director

of education at ACG. The programs teach students how to read music, play those notes on the guitar, and work with other students to perform the pieces learned. There are a few other cities where classical guitar is taught in more than just a few schools, but Austin is unique in that students are learning solely classical guitar and are being taught in a way that means they can all play together for district-wide events. It is also unique because the district works together with ACG to instruct the students instead of running everything on its own. The guitar instruction that ACG facilitates is valuable not only because it teaches students how to play classical guitar music, but also because it offers them a wide variety of life skills such as perseverance and professionalism.

Learning to play an instrument like classical guitar can greatly increase a student’s sense of self-worth.

“Something changes when you have something that you’re good at.”

- Travis Marcum “Developing your identity around something that you know you’re successful doing is really important for young people, because something changes when you have something that you’re good at,” says Marcum. Many of the students that join guitar classes that are offered in schools haven’t found something to latch on to, that they can say they are good at or passionate about, and learning classical guitar provides a great opportunity to find that. “I didn’t listen to

classical guitar, I didn’t know it existed,” says Thomas Echols, a classical guitar teacher in Austin who works with ACG. “When I found out I was excited, there was so many hidden master works that were written for this instrument. It’s like secret portal into this hidden realm.”

For him and many others, learning classical guitar was a very valuable experience.

“A lot of times your confidence level doesn’t develop, your

that a lot of people want to play, at whatever level you might want to play it at, it’s a great way to make connections. I see quite a bit of growth in that arena.”

This growth and change will raise Austin’s classical guitar programs to an even higher standard than they already are already at. The next-largest classical guitar organization is less than half the size of Austin Classical Guitar, and it’s a nation-wide group. The largest local organization is barely

skills where you understand how to really work hard at something and refine it until it’s perfect, you don’t get that experience unless you have that thing that you’re really working hard at,” says Marcum.

Classical guitar can also provide an avenue of expression for the many high school and middle school individuals who struggle to express themselves with language. “Music offered me an avenue of expression for a multitude of emotions and feelings that wasn’t available for me just through words,” says Marcum. “... it really helps young people and adults as well to be just true, round human beings. It helps you express and to be more human.”

Austin Classical Guitar has already changed the face of classical guitar in Austin significantly by teaching many people about classical guitar and how to play a guitar, and it has plans to change it even further in the future. “I try to do my best to get people around me excited about the great things that music can do for our community, and the great things it already does for our community,” says Hinsley. “I think in the next several years we will see a dramatic increase in the amount of service in this program we have building throughout Texas and the United States and possibly beyond.

Guitar is a powerful instrument, something

one fourth of the size, at least budget-wise. Austin Classical Guitar is the largest classical guitar program in the country.

This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Hinsley says Austin Classical Guitar gets to trailblaze a path for other cities and states to follow, but that is a very large weight to bear.

Austin Classical Guitar has no peers to base their work off of, which can be challenging. Regardless, he and others have found inventive solutions.

“We have to look at other disciplines to try and learn and improve. And there’s much learning and improving to be done! We are a large fish, I suppose, in a very small pond, as it were. But at the same time it’s also exciting because a lot of people come here to learn. And we take that role very seriously.”

Many people consider classical guitar to be an amazing instrument that offers many benefits. Classical guitar songs tell a story in a way that no other styles of guitar can, they provide their own melodies and countermelodies. However, some people may still stereotype the classical guitar and its music. This may be because they think classical guitar is boring or not good for anything but relaxing background music. In fact, slow and relaxing music is only one small part of the pieces played on a classical guitar.

Flamenco guitar, for instance, is incredibly fast and exciting, as are many more modern

A Cordoba C5 classical guitar. photo by Sam Ash

DEC 2016 | 21

classical guitar pieces.

Other people can be afraid of classical guitar because classical music can seem full of rules and regulations. “Sometimes people get the impression that if they don’t get it, classical music is not for them, but that’s not the case.

“Fourths were never not beautiful.”

- Thomas Echols “Empowering listeners is so important,” says Echols. “When I first learned that fourths were dissonant, I thought that was crazy, the way I

was thought made me feel like I was hearing wrongly. But in fact music is full of different games. Fourths were never not beautiful.”

Classical music is full of nuance, and while a practiced listener may be able to hear the shifts in tone and identify the form of the piece, that does not mean they are “better at enjoying classical music.” Music is meant to be listened to over and over, and that is especially true for classical guitar music.

Iris Renteria’s Cordoba C5 classical guitar. photo by Iris Renteria

22 | DEC 2016

Meet the Contributors!

SOFIA MOORE

IRIS RENTERIA

Sofia Moore has played guitar, ukulele, and keyboard for 4 years.

She also has some experience playing recorder, as it was mandatory in the 4th grade. Her favorite instrument is the ukulele because it compact and makes everything sound happy, and her favorite band is The Strokes. If she were to start a band, she would name it Apocalyptic Pie.

Iris Renteria has been playing classical guitar for 4 years and has been taking piano lessons for 9 at Armstrong Music School. The instruments she would most like to learn next are the mandolin and the upright bass, and her favorite musicians are the Dandy Warhols, Mashrou’ Leila, and Tom Rosenthal.

If she were to start a band, she would make someone else name it for her because making decisions is hard.

SPENCER WALLACE Spencer Wallace has been playing the trumpet for 3 1/2 years, so it is by far his favorite instrument. He usually enjoys playing jazz music, but as long as he can play loud, everything is alright. In his free time, Spencer enjoys hanging out with his friends, practicing his trumpet, and climbing trees. His favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and if he were to start a band, he would name it Finite Infinity.

DEC 2016 | 23

The Austin skyline from the front of the Long Center photo by Spencer Wallace