On Saturday, Feb. 25 the Lee University Jazz Ensemble travelled to Nashville, Tenn. to participate in “The Ultimate Recording Project.”

The project is a complete 12-hour studio experience at The Tracking Room, one of Nashville’s premier recording studios, and is designed to simulate an actual master recording session. Producer-Director of The Ultimate Recording Project, Vinnie Ciesielski, instructed students in studio protocol, assisted by recording engineers and area musicians.

Ciesielski presented the ensemble with a composition they had not previously rehearsed, with the intention to record it while sight-reading.

Alan Wyatt, ensemble director and assistant professor of music at Lee, asserted the caliber of musicianship required for professional studio recording; “In studio recording, professional musicians are expected to play whatever is handed them correctly on the very first try.”

Curtis Nichols, a senior saxophone performance major at Lee, participated in the project. “This experience was a wonderfully unique opportunity to learn about what it takes to be a studio musician. To be successful in that career, you have to apply what you learn from individual experiences as opposed to what you study in a book,” said Nichols. “The people at the studio showed us many of the “unwritten” rules found within a commercial setting. I believe we are all better prepared for this type of challenge.”

The students also recorded several compositions which they had been rehearsing, including some small jazz combo works by Paula Archer-Wyatt.

Alan Wyatt added, “The students’ efforts were scrutinized, which made it one of the most high pressure situations they will encounter. I am very excited to have our students involved in a program demanding such a high degree of professionalism and attention to detail.”

The ensemble plans to use selected tracks from the day’s recording for the formation of their next CD release later this year.

For more information about the Jazz Ensemble contact Alan Wyatt at [email protected].

For more information on upcoming musical events, contact the School of Music at [email protected] or 614-8240.