April 30, 2025 • 35 mins
Host Faith Ortega chats with the Music Club’s co-presidents, Aldrich Afrifa and Ryan Foor, and Treasurer Ashley Rafferty about the club’s wide variety of interactive events and music competitions, such as RCBC Battle of the Bands, which are open to all musically inclined students.
Listen in to learn about the campus events available through being a club member.
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Episode Transcript
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Faith Ortega (00:00):
Hi and welcome back to the students choice
(00:02):
podcast, where we look into themany paths you can take as a
student at Rowan College atBurlington County, join us as we
investigate different clubs,programs and activities through
the lens of fellow students,it's always your choice. Your
voice, our rcbc, Hi, I'm FaithOrtega, and I've been a student
(00:23):
at RCBC Since 2022 I graduatedin May 2024 with an associate
degree in Communication Arts.I'm currently pursuing a
bachelor's degree in appliedprofessional communication
through rcbc and Rowan's threeplus one program this season on
the students choice podcast,we'll focus on many rcbc clubs.
(00:43):
Rowan College at BurlingtonCounty has a collection of over
40 interactive clubs open to allstudents, from music club to
computer science club tobiochemistry club. RCBC truly
has it all to dive in. We'lltalk with a different Club's
advisor and or student leadersfor each episode. In this
episode, we'll be chatting withthe music club's president,
(01:07):
Aldridge afrifa, Vice PresidentRyan four and treasurer, Ashley
Rafferty. The music club here atrcbc is open to all students
with an interest in music,whether students are musicians,
singers or AVID music listeners,all are welcome. The club
focuses on offering campusevents and performance
opportunities to enhanceindividual musical skills. Hi,
(01:31):
Ryan Aldridge and Ashley, wouldyou like to introduce yourselves
real quick? Sure, yeah.
Unknown (01:37):
I'm Ryan. As you said, I'm the vice president of the
music club, and thank you forhaving us. Thank
Faith Ortega (01:42):
you for being here. Okay,
Unknown (01:44):
I'm Aldrich. I'm the president of the music club, and
I'm in the three plus oneprogram for construction
management. I'm currently in mythird year. Hi, I'm
Ashley Rafferty, also known asash. I'm currently in my third
semester here at rcbc, pursuingmy associates in music, and I'm
getting ready for my transferover to Rowan University to
(02:04):
pursue my bachelor's in musicindustry with a specialization
in music business.
Faith Ortega (02:10):
Awesome. It's so great to have you all here today
to start off. Can you all gointo when and why your journey
started at rcbc, and what yourexperience has been like here so
far. Ryan, would you like to gofirst? Sure? Yeah,
Unknown (02:28):
my my experience rcbc has been sort of a flip flop of
things, which I feel like iskind of true for a large portion
of the students that come here.I started out this is, this
would be my third year here. Istarted out my first year, I was
very like, closed off, honestly.I just, I came here because I
(02:52):
didn't really know what else Iwanted to do, and I was sort of
stuck in this. I don't, I don'twant to be a part of this. I
would go to class and I wouldjust come straight home. And it
really it wasn't until I startedto get more involved, like I
went to the music club interestmeeting, and I really started to
see that there is actually a lotthat rcbc has to offer in terms
(03:17):
of community. And so into mysecond year, really trying to
build this club with the team.Everything kind of just like
flipped and changed. And I felt,I felt weird saying, Oh man, my
time at rcbc is limited, and I'msad to go, but I don't know,
here I am now. This is my lastsemester, and I'm really sad to
(03:40):
leave. So that's kind of been myexperience so far,
Faith Ortega (03:43):
right? So you've kind of found your passion here
after a bit of time. What degreeare you pursuing currently,
Unknown (03:50):
entertainment, tech, sound and recording, okay, okay.
Faith Ortega (03:54):
Aldridge, would you like to go?
Unknown (03:56):
Yes. So my journey has been kind of the same as Ryan's,
because we graduated from thesame high school in the same
class, so we were classmates. Iwould say, for my first year, it
was the same I was just like,I'm just gonna go to my classes,
and like, I'm just gonna get outof here. And I didn't have a
great GPA because I couldn'tfind a reason that I wanted to
(04:17):
be at rcbc. So it was kind ofjust like a thing where I'm just
floating through and one day,Ryan invited me to the music
club interest meeting, and Ithink all three of us were there
at the interest meeting. Yeah,yeah. And I decided to take this
step with Ryan, and we justdecided to do this thing. And I
feel like it's beentransformative for me as well,
(04:38):
because I was, like, the biggestthing that I struggled with was
I didn't have a reason or asocial life, so this helped me
get out of my shell and reallyembrace kind of who I am, and I
really appreciate, I'm reallythankful for this opportunity.
Faith Ortega (04:51):
Wow, that's amazing. So you guys all met at
that interest club. Brian, didyou know Aldridge before that as
well from high school? Yes,
Unknown (04:59):
I. We both. We went to Burlington Township High School,
and he came in our senior year.Actually, we were in the same
physics class, and he's justbeen like, we've been partners
in crime for a little while now.And it's just, I could, I
couldn't ask for a better likePresident to do this with
(05:20):
honestly, or a better team ingeneral, but yeah, so we've
known each other, what, likethree or four years now, yes, I
see it right now, something likethat.
Faith Ortega (05:27):
Wow, that's amazing to hear. And ash, what
about you? What has yourexperience been like at rcbc so
far?
Unknown (05:33):
So I'm kind of the odd one out here, because I did not
go to high school with either ofthem. I went to high school in
Florence Township, so for yearsI kind of in high school. I kind
of jumped back and forth withwhat I wanted to do in high
school, I was very, veryinvolved with the music program.
It was pretty much the onlyreason why I got out of bed
(05:54):
every morning. I was in concertband, concert choir. I was in
PIP band, marching band, prettymuch anything with the word band
after I was in high school, andI decided that when I came to
rcbc, I was dead. Sat actuallyon being a zoology major, I
wanted to, I wanted to work as areptile specialist, but not even
(06:17):
a week of being at rcbc, I waslike, Oh no, no, no, I don't
want to do this anymore. So Iactually switched from biology,
I switched over to music, and Iwas kind of set onto your music
education, but then I did moreresearch, I decided that I'm
very, very involved in the musicindustry. I'm a recording
(06:38):
artist. I'm part of a streetteam for a band based out pretty
much all over the place with afriend of mine. I run a street
team on Instagram with her, andI decided that I'd much rather
be working in the music industrymore so on the business side, on
the marketing side, thepromotion side, so I decided to
(06:58):
continue pursuing in music, butmake a bit of an early transfer
from rcbc to Rowan University tokind of pursue music business,
because it's something that Ireally see myself doing,
specifically touring management,and rcbc has helped me jump
start on that with my associatesor pursuing my major in music,
(07:25):
and they've kind of helped mefigure out what exactly it is
that I want to do with music,because it's such a broad
category, like it's not you onlyhave to do education, or you
only have to do this, you can doso many things when pursuing
Music. So rcbc has really helpedme broaden that perspective. And
yeah, I showed up to the firstmeeting back in November of last
(07:51):
year, just because I sawsomething about it. And I was
like, Okay, let me see what thisis about. And then I got an
email asking if I wanted aleadership position. So I was
like, yeah, just like, Give mewhatever I don't care. And they
gave me treasure. And I waslike, Cool, I don't know how to
sort out money, but I'll do itanyway. And well, now I do know
how to sort out money. So, yeah,
Faith Ortega (08:11):
wow. I think that's so great that you've been
able to find a career that's notonly practical because you are,
you know, picking maybe aspecific thing in music, but
it's something that you enjoyand it's something that you're
passionate about. I think that'smaybe what people get so
stressed out about in college,is finding a career that's a bit
(08:32):
of both for them. Yeah, sothat's that's incredible as
students here, before we starttalking about the music club,
what is your perspective onextracurricular participation in
relation to a student's success?
Unknown (08:47):
Okay, I don't want to, I don't want to say it's
essential, because everybody hastheir own path and everything
that they want to do, but itcertainly helps a lot. Like I
don't, I don't know, for mepersonally, if I would still be
coming to rcbc, if I hadn'tfound something else to do,
because I was just when you'rewhen you're just like, going to
(09:10):
class and coming home, andthere's kind of nothing else to
it. There's really not a lot ofmotivation, I guess, to to to
dive deeper in, you know, tokeep going, or you're not
really, unless, unless youreally love your classes and
stuff, and you're making friendsthere, and that's really cool.
But for a lot of people whoaren't necessarily in that
(09:31):
position, like I was,extracurriculars really provide
sort of that bridge to thecommunity aspect of college and
like, oh, community college, youknow, it starts to make sense.
But, yeah, I would sayextracurriculars, whether it's
music or, you know, we have acreative arts guild club here,
(09:52):
or something, or internationalclub, whatever you do. You know,
having a community just givesyou so much motivation and so
much. Much passion to reallylike show you why you're doing
this, you know, and keep yougoing, right?
Faith Ortega (10:06):
So it's a place to find community and friends.
Would any of you say that beingpart of clubs has helped maybe
gain experience or practice inyour industries or degrees that
you've chosen? Yeah,
Unknown (10:19):
yes, Yeah, most definitely, yes. I've learned,
you know, a lot of promotionaspects. I've learned to be that
really annoying person in yourear saying, hey, come to our
event on this day at this time.And I would drill it into your
head. I was literally a walkingpromotion for weeks leading up
to our festival last semester.
Faith Ortega (10:41):
That's great. And are you guys part of any other
clubs besides the music club?
Unknown (10:47):
Yes, I'm pretty involved on campus. I'm involved
in Brave, I would say the publicspeaking club here, the theater
club. And there are so manyother clubs that I go to
meetings for, but those are justsome of the things I help out
with. I feel like it's reallyimportant just to kind of stick
(11:07):
your hands in there and just getsome experience with leadership,
event planning, promotion, asash said, I feel like that's
super important for students, soI try to help out a lot.
Faith Ortega (11:17):
Wow, that's incredible. So you're part of,
you know, a bunch of differentclubs, would you say that's to
gain more experience for maybean eventual career that you're
going into, or just more to meetpeople on campus? I
Unknown (11:29):
would say it's both, and it's been fantastic. So I
really, I'm really proud of whatI've done here. Wow, incredible.
Faith Ortega (11:36):
Anyone else in any other clubs?
Unknown (11:38):
I'm involved with the theater club as well, a little
bit. They just actually hadtheir first like interest
meeting or something the otherday. Yeah, I heard about that.
It was very cool, yeah. Butother than that, I stick mainly
with the music club and theater
Faith Ortega (11:54):
club. Ash, how about you?
Unknown (11:56):
Um, I have very minor involvement in the LGBT
community club, very, very, veryminor. I'm friends with some of
the people in the club, but alot of my focus is towards being
part of the music club.
Faith Ortega (12:12):
Okay, gotcha, gotcha. So a little bit of hands
and a little bit of everything,meeting people around campus and
all these different clubs. Couldyou each go into how you
received your roles aspresident, vice president,
treasurer, and what it's beenlike so far having those roles?
Aldridge, maybe you want tostart as president. Um,
Unknown (12:31):
so my role is really nothing special. I feel like all
the other people do a lot morethan I do, but I we had the
leadership role meeting, andeverybody was filling out the
positions, and I said that Iwanted one too, and I was just
kind of nervous. I was like, oh,right, I'm just going to be
like, Vice President, because,you know, I don't want, like, a
(12:51):
lot of responsibility, butnobody filled in the president
role. So I was just like, Okay,I'll do this, and that's how I
am president.
Faith Ortega (13:01):
Wow, luck of the draw, fair enough. And what have
the roles been like so far? Arethere any specific roles you
have as president? Um,
Unknown (13:08):
not really. I would say, if it's I would say the
roles are kind of like a nameonly. It's kind of like more of
a board, and everybodycontributes what they can and
what they're comfortable with.
Faith Ortega (13:18):
Okay, gotcha. And Ryan, what has it been like,
even if it's just title, onlybeing vice president, even if
it's, you know, just by name,what, what kind of roles do you
have within the
Unknown (13:29):
club? It's been, it's been really cool. I so I am,
like I said, I'm going for,like, my degree in tech here,
and then moving on to Rowan,probably doing something similar
to ash business or production.Haven't really nailed that down
yet, but I tend to, I bring alot of the gear to a lot of the
(13:50):
events that we do, like we do,we have jam sessions and open
mic nights. So I bring, like,the PA system and the drums, and
I try, and I try to show up toas many of these things as I
can, and be sort of afacilitator of what's going on.
Other than that, just workingwith everybody else, we really
(14:10):
do have a cool thing going, likewe have our roles, like you
said, president, vice president,treasurer, but it's when you
have it as more of a board. Itfeels like there's more of a
shared responsibility, whichkind of brings you together a
little more. And I've reallyenjoyed, enjoyed that aspect,
Faith Ortega (14:30):
so it's more of a collaboration altogether. Yes,
yeah. And ash, I know you saidyou've never been a treasurer
before. What has it been like?You know, assuming that role and
maybe learning what you have todo for the music club.
Unknown (14:44):
So it was kind of the same as it was for Aldridge. Um,
I was asked if I wanted aleadership role. And I was like,
Yeah, sure, just give mewhatever. And they gave me
treasure. Okay. I was like,okay, looked it up. I was like,
Okay, I'm in charge of money.Okay? I know. Clue how to do
that. But, um, slowly, as westarted getting the club
together, and, you know, startedgetting people on the board that
(15:07):
were thoroughly interested inum, actually, um doing stuff, I
got to learn um, things likemaintaining money for um,
fundraising. And you know whatthose like aspects of money is,
you know, stuff like that. I'vebeen able to, you know, kind of
have eyes on what exactly ourfunds are, if we can, if we take
(15:29):
funds of the schools giving usmoney for certain things, which
we do, get free pizza a lot. Sofor events, we get a lot of free
pizza. But yeah, I would alsoagree it's very, very
collaborative. If I'm, if Ihave, you know, stuff regarding
money, it's not just me thattakes the bulk of the work. I
(15:50):
feel like it's spread out uponeveryone. Like stuff, like
reimbursements for events wehold questions regarding like
catering, and if we have to dipinto the club funds for that,
which, again, it's usually freefood, which is awesome tip, if
you're ever joining a club, youget a lot of free food. It's
really awesome. Yeah, it'sdefinitely very, very
(16:12):
collaborative. I would agree.It's kind of just words. We all
kind of help fill each other'sshoes and kind of spread out the
work evenly, especiallyregarding larger events,
Faith Ortega (16:28):
right? And that's a very essential role that maybe
some people don't even thinkabout, you know, the money
aspect that goes into a club andwhat it takes to keep it running
for the events and everything.Whoever wants to take this one,
could you explain the basics ofthe music club and its purpose
at rcbc? From a studentperspective,
Unknown (16:50):
I think you should take this one. Ryan, okay,
well, I've kind of been sayingthis and Aldrich, like we were
saying this to each other,really a lot in the beginning is
I was really frustrated cominginto rcbc that there wasn't that
we do, we do have a musicprogram, and we have a
(17:10):
phenomenal music program. It's,it's not like always talked
about. I don't think it gets asmuch credit as it deserves. But
they, they provide, like, youknow, lessons and there's a
choir here, there's a band,there's jazz band. But I was
really frustrated that therewasn't necessarily a space for a
(17:33):
musician who didn't totally fitwithin that realm, like I had
not done I didn't do like bandor jazz band in high school or
orchestra. I really wanted to,but I was terrified and I didn't
think I was good enough. So Ikind of wanted to find or create
a space for that individual, youknow, and I was talking with
(17:56):
Aldrich and ash and the rest ofthe club, we kind of came
together to create that space,you know. And if you if you do
that, we've found that a lot ofpeople will, will, will come to
that, you know, and pull up andwith an acoustic guitar or
electric or a bass, you know, oreven sometimes, like a weird
(18:18):
instrument, like, like this.It's not exactly a flute that
our buddy Joe brought one time,but it's some sort of wooden
flute like instrument like, younever know what people are gonna
bring. And we, I feel like we'vedone a really good job of
creating that space, and I'mvery proud of that, you know,
(18:39):
and not just with GM sessions wedo, you know, like, like I said,
open mic nights. We've got amusic festival coming up, Battle
of the Bands. Like, we're justtrying to create as much
opportunity for the musiciancoming here that doesn't
necessarily fit into the choiror the traditional like band or
jazz band road, but still wantsto participate.
Faith Ortega (19:00):
So this doesn't have to be, you know,
professionals even that justplay an instrument. It could be
anyone who maybe even just wantsto test it out or join and hang
out for these, these jamsessions, absolutely.
Unknown (19:13):
Yeah, you don't even have to play an instrument to
pull up if you want to just comeand listen to live music. You
know, that's the thing. Andwhile we do like, we do
definitely encourage like if youhave more of an interest in in
gaining knowledge and gainingtechnique, we have theory
classes. We have ear trainingclasses at rcbc, the professors
(19:33):
are amazing, and they reallywork with you. So there is a lot
to pursue in that, in the theacademics of music. But if that
doesn't work for you, and if youdon't have that experience, or
you don't feel like you're goodenough, yet, come to the music
club, you know, and if you arethat good at that point, come to
the music club anyway. There's aspace for everyone. That's
Faith Ortega (19:54):
awesome. And I heard you mention a few events
that you guys do. You on, youknow, a semester, a weekly
basis. Whoever wants to takethis one, and could you
elaborate on the weekly jamsessions that you have every
Friday? I know they're in thephoto auditorium, correct? Yes,
Unknown (20:14):
yeah, we do. We have jam sessions. We kind of, we try
to keep the momentum going atthe Music Club, to keep
ourselves really active. So wedo, we have, like, weekly events
in the jam in the form of jamsessions, sometimes ice cream
socials. So we'll have, we havethe auditorium from one to 430
every Friday. So we'll just kindof say, Hey, if you sing, if you
(20:36):
play an instrument, if you'dlike to listen to music, come to
the auditorium every Friday. Andsometimes somebody will have an
idea, like an original idea,that they'll want to, you know,
kind of practice or work on withthe group. Sometimes we'll just
throw four cords up on awhiteboard or something like,
oh, let's, let's do somethingweird here. Sometimes we'll take
(20:57):
a part of a cover, actually,last Friday, somebody named
Hunter came. He's been coming tothe jam sessions this semester.
News, very cool guy.
I went to high school with him,actually. Oh, cool. Yeah, it's a
small world. Yeah, definitely.
But So Hunter comes in with hisbase, and at the end, he's like,
(21:22):
Let's do chameleon by HerbieHancock. I was like, whoa, okay.
And so I think the thing that'sreally cool with jam sessions
too, is, regardless of whatwe're doing, there's this sense
that kind of goes beyond words,like it's sort of an exercise in
connecting solely through music,because you don't know when
somebody's gonna decide toswitch to a bridge or when
(21:46):
somebody's gonna start taking asolo. You kind of have to feel
it out. And most people with thejam sessions that I talk to
that, whether they do or don'tpull up, they're like, Oh man,
I'm just terrified to jump intothat. And it's scary, but it's
kind of, it's very much worthit, I would say. So that's sort
of what jam sessions are like ona weekly basis, every week,
(22:10):
every Friday.
Faith Ortega (22:10):
I find that in improvisational aspect of music
so interesting, like you said,like you may, you know, switch
up the notes or the pace thatyou're going, and you guys just
kind of have to work togetherand listen and, you know, adapt
to each other. That's reallycool. And what about these open
mic nights that you guys host?Is that more of a open to anyone
(22:32):
type of thing as well? Yes,
Unknown (22:34):
open bike nights, they're open to anybody, all
skill levels. It doesn't evenhave to be music. We had people
do stand up, comedy, poetrythere. We also have free food.
It's just kind of like a generalhangout thing, something for
students to do, to get away,relax. That's kind of what the
mission is, of open mic nights.Wow,
Faith Ortega (22:51):
that's really interesting. I didn't know that
there was, you know, anythingbesides, you know, singing or
music going on. So that's reallycool, that anyone can kind of
just come and share any talentthat they have. Do you have,
like, a specific inspirationthat you bring you know as a
musician or singer, or when youplay an instrument, when you
think about what kind of musicthat you like and why you got
(23:14):
into this? I'll let you thinkthere
Unknown (23:20):
that might be one. Yeah, I
have a unique situation becauseI don't play any instrument.
Okay, I'm not really a musicalguy. I listen to a lot of music.
I'm currently learning guitarthanks to Ryan, sometimes at the
jam sessions, he'll teach mesomething. But for me, I can't
really answer that question,because my situation is unique,
(23:42):
very,
very contrasting. I play aroundsix instruments. Most of the one
that I've known the longest isthe trumpet. It's my main
instrument in the Concert Band,and it's my chosen instrument
for my applied lessons here atrcbc. Besides that, I can play
the baritone in bass clef. Iplay the ukulele, which is my
(24:06):
second most known instrumentsince I've been playing it since
I was around 13. I've recentlybeen learning the piano and the
guitar, very, very little, andthe drums, which are my one true
love. I've learned it from mydad at the jam sessions. Mostly
last semester, I was alwaysthere taking down and setting up
(24:27):
the drum set, and I was behindit a lot of the time, messing
with the entire band byswitching up the tempo every
five seconds. I also sang, as Isaid, I'm a recording artist
working on, you know, getting myEP out in the, you know, it's a
major streaming platforms, andmy music tastes, I listen to
(24:49):
pretty much anything, just don'tplay country. That's my one. I
Faith Ortega (24:54):
feel like everybody, that's definitely a
thing,
Unknown (24:58):
yeah. But, I mean, I love. Um, pop punk. That's my
favorite music genre ever.
Faith Ortega (25:03):
And what genre will your EP be?
Unknown (25:05):
Um, all pop punk.
Faith Ortega (25:07):
Pop punk, yeah. Do you have a title
Unknown (25:09):
for it yet? No, not yet. It's in the very early
works. It's working. It'sworking, yes, but it's working.
We're getting there.
Faith Ortega (25:14):
Ryan, how about you? Do you have any you know
genres or artists that you pullfrom for inspiration? Yeah,
Unknown (25:21):
I tend to go through like, I'll get like, really deep
into a genre, and then I'll belike, All right time to move on,
find something new and figure itout. Recently, I've been, I've
been really getting into funk,like, and it's so interesting
how each genre teaches yousomething. Like, I feel like
each genre has mastered aspecific part of of music, and
(25:46):
like, funk, for example, is hasbeen teaching me so much about
about groove and just how toreally like lock in with the
rhythm section. And I've beenpicking up the bass a lot over
the summer and at my job, andit's just been like, there's
just so much to discover abouteach like, different things,
(26:08):
different aspects of music. I'ma big jazz guy as well. I've
been listening to a lot ofkamazi Washington, like jazz
fusion. Jazz fusion is kind ofone of those things where you're
like, at the bottom of MountEverest, and you're looking at
the top, and you're like, that'sreally cool. I'm good. I can't
get Yeah, I love jazz, but or atleast it's gonna take a while to
(26:31):
get there. I play, I play mainlykeys. I'd say is my main
instrument. I'm in a band weplay around the South Jersey.
Well, really, all of New Jerseyand a little bit of Pennsylvania
area called Swanson actuallyabout to drop our second LP.
It's not adding up, which iskind of like a math rock concept
(26:52):
album, which would be prettycool. Oh,
Faith Ortega (26:54):
that's really so do you in your band? You play
primarily rock music, yeah.
Unknown (26:59):
So we're, we try to branch out. I think, similarly
to the music club, we all kindof come from very different
backgrounds musically. So itends up being like, I would say
the core is probably like apsychedelic rock like King
gizzard and Elizabeth, butthat's so cool, yeah. So we try
to, we try to branch out.
Faith Ortega (27:20):
What's the band's name, if our listeners want to
go take a listen. Oh,
Unknown (27:24):
yeah, yeah, it's, it's Swanson. Okay, okay, yeah, okay.
Faith Ortega (27:27):
So if you're listening right now and that
sounds like your type of vibemade me go take a listen, can I
just
Unknown (27:33):
say something? Yeah, go forward to a concert. It was
some of the best music ever. Ihave a song recommendation, hoof
by Swanson, amazing. Thank you.
Faith Ortega (27:43):
I'm gonna have to pop in my headphones after this
and see what it's all about.We've kind of hit on this a
little with some of you. But doany of you have any specific
future goals or plans this couldbe inside or even outside of the
music club that you'd like toshare.
Unknown (28:01):
Release this EP. Oh, my God, it's been years. I've been
making music since I was 16years old, and releasing an EP
is hard when you know you'rejumping from producer to
produce. I used to work in astudio right in Center City.
Philly. Had to separate fromthat, and I've been back and
(28:21):
forth with people, butdefinitely releasing that EP and
going forwards with you know, mycareer in music, definitely my
goal in life, besides being amusician, is being a touring
manager for bands. My one goal,I love traveling. I want to
travel all over the world withbands just holding up VIP
(28:44):
lanyards, going, all right, isyour name on the list? That's
all I want to do. And it'ssomething I have a twin sister.
It's something she wants to dowith me. So definitely touring,
management, merch management,you know, doing things for bands
you know, on the travelingaspect, because I always love to
(29:04):
be moving. I always love to beactive on my feet. And as I
said, I love traveling. Sodefinitely just management with
bands, learning how to marketand how to kind of get in that
industry.
Faith Ortega (29:18):
So really, just getting involved in any way
possible in the music industry?Yep, that's so cool, Ryan, how
about you
Unknown (29:26):
getting involved in any way in the music industry?
Pretty is a pretty good wave torise. I'm in a similar boat. I'm
really interested in more of thetech side. I really love working
with audio, whether it's live orin a studio. More recently, I've
(29:47):
been getting into thecomposition aspects, like the
theory and stuff. I was never atheory kid. I I've been playing
piano since I was like five, soabout to be 16 years. I never, I
hated, like reading the sheetmusic. I never wanted to learn a
song I like through sheet music.I would do like through the just
(30:09):
listening to it and stuff. Butrecently, actually, after coming
to rcbc and taking their MusicFundamentals class with
Professor Sean Ryan, it reallyopened up my world to just how
like this is this? These are thebuilding blocks, you know. And
I'm a big film score guy aswell, so like seeing composers
(30:31):
like Hans Zimmer or ThomasNewman come out and score
something like Oppenheimer orthat was Ludwig Goron son from
saying that, right? Or just,they're just, they're using
theory and kind of, like, likea, like a flaming sword, you
know, to cut through the jungle.And it's so interesting to me.
(30:53):
So if I could do something inarranging or composing or in
technology, if the Swanson thingworks out, that'd be pretty cool
too. Yeah, yeah. But just anyanything where I can be a part
of making music or helpingothers make music, I'll be
happy. Cool,
Faith Ortega (31:11):
cool. And Aldridge, I know you said you're
just, you know, starting tolearn the guitar, but career
wise, you know, what do you seeyourself doing in the future?
Um,
Unknown (31:20):
I'll definitely be a project manager in the future in
terms of the music club. What Iwant to do is, obviously, we're
going to do the harvest festivaland Battle of the Bands, but I
think that next semester isgoing to be a challenge, because
we do have a few people on theboard leaving, so I'm going to
have to figure out a newsolution, and also new kind of,
like event formats, because Ican't do battle the bands,
(31:44):
because Ryan is running sound,and he does a lot of the sound
stuff. So I'll have to figurethat out with Office of Student
Life, and that's one of the newchallenges I'll have to face.
But I'm still optimistic aboutit, because I know that from
this point, we've done a lottogether. So I believe, like in
myself, because working with youguys has taught me a lot about
myself and just everything atthe school and all the resources
(32:06):
available, and I think thatusing them will still be able to
succeed and do things that'll befun for the student base. Do
Faith Ortega (32:13):
you think you know, if you find people as
passionate as yourselves, thatit'll work out in the end, and
it'll keep going as strongly asit has. I
Unknown (32:22):
think even with or without them, it will work out.
But I believe there are going tobe a lot of people who want to
help out, for
Faith Ortega (32:29):
sure, for sure, real quick. Whoever wants to
give a last few words, if youcould talk to a student who is
maybe on the fence a littlenervous about joining the music
club. Maybe they think they'renot talented enough or
something. What would you tellthem?
Unknown (32:47):
Come to an event, come to a jam session, come to an
open mic night, come to an icecream social, you know, just
just come to it. Get as involvedas you feel comfortable with.
Talk to somebody, talk to one ofthe board members, you know, and
we try to create a veryinclusive environment. So even
if you're not like, even ifyou're not Herbie Hancock
walking into the room, you know,there's a place for you, so just
(33:10):
come and try it.
Can I add to that as well? Yeah,go ahead, as somebody who
doesn't play an instrument inseeing all of you guys do your
thing, and it's, like, amazing,I would say, the most important
thing that I can say is that youshould come to an event and talk
to a board member, because Ikind of understand what it's
like for a lot of the studentswho are scared, because I was
terrified doing this, so I canbe a helping hand. And I'm
(33:32):
always a friend. I'm alwaysaround. So I would definitely
just say, Join. We'll take careof you, for sure. I'd like
to add to that, too, as a personwho was known as the band kid in
high school, and some people inhigh school did not like that
very much, I was very surprisedto come to rcbc and know that
(33:55):
there was an entire music club.And, you know, it was kind of
hard for me to make friends whenI came to rcbc, because I came
from a relatively small highschool, and rcbc is very large
in comparison to my graduatinghigh school class. So I would
just say, you know, if you'rehaving trouble making friends,
if you're feeling like, youknow, like you don't really fit
(34:17):
in anywhere, which is so clicheand so cheesy to say, but like,
it is kind of a real thing. Thencome to the music club. We have
free food, you know, sit next tosomeone and, you know, just
like, get talking. You know, youdon't have to be the most
talented person in the room. Youjust just, if you enjoy music in
some way, shape or form, thenyou 100% are in the right place,
(34:41):
and you most definitely belongin the music club, for sure. So
just
Faith Ortega (34:45):
try it out if you're listening, even if you
just want to find friends ormaybe practice music, the music
club is there for you? Yes, 100%I want to thank you all for
being here today. It's been sucha privilege to have this.
Conversation with all of you.Thank you for listening today.
As we learned about the musicclub, you can find more
(35:06):
information about them throughthe student clubs and activities
tile on your Baron one account.You can check out the students
choice podcast atrcbc.edu/podcast, or wherever
you get your podcasts. If you'rean rcbc club member and you'd
like to be on a future episode.Fill out the application located
on the rcbc.edu/podcast page.I'm Faith Ortega, and remember
(35:31):
your choice, your voice, ourrcbc. You.
Hi and welcome back to the students choice
(00:02):
podcast, where we look into themany paths you can take as a
student at Rowan College atBurlington County, join us as we
investigate different clubs,programs and activities through
the lens of fellow students,it's always your choice. Your
voice, our rcbc, Hi, I'm FaithOrtega, and I've been a student
(00:23):
at RCBC Since 2022 I graduatedin May 2024 with an associate
degree in Communication Arts.I'm currently pursuing a
bachelor's degree in appliedprofessional communication
through rcbc and Rowan's threeplus one program this season on
the students choice podcast,we'll focus on many rcbc clubs.
(00:43):
Rowan College at BurlingtonCounty has a collection of over
40 interactive clubs open to allstudents, from music club to
computer science club tobiochemistry club. RCBC truly
has it all to dive in. We'lltalk with a different Club's
advisor and or student leadersfor each episode. In this
episode, we'll be chatting withthe music club's president,
(01:07):
Aldridge afrifa, Vice PresidentRyan four and treasurer, Ashley
Rafferty. The music club here atrcbc is open to all students
with an interest in music,whether students are musicians,
singers or AVID music listeners,all are welcome. The club
focuses on offering campusevents and performance
opportunities to enhanceindividual musical skills. Hi,
(01:31):
Ryan Aldridge and Ashley, wouldyou like to introduce yourselves
real quick? Sure, yeah.
Unknown (01:37):
I'm Ryan. As you said, I'm the vice president of the
music club, and thank you forhaving us. Thank
Faith Ortega (01:42):
you for being here. Okay,
Unknown (01:44):
I'm Aldrich. I'm the president of the music club, and
I'm in the three plus oneprogram for construction
management. I'm currently in mythird year. Hi, I'm
Ashley Rafferty, also known asash. I'm currently in my third
semester here at rcbc, pursuingmy associates in music, and I'm
getting ready for my transferover to Rowan University to
(02:04):
pursue my bachelor's in musicindustry with a specialization
in music business.
Faith Ortega (02:10):
Awesome. It's so great to have you all here today
to start off. Can you all gointo when and why your journey
started at rcbc, and what yourexperience has been like here so
far. Ryan, would you like to gofirst? Sure? Yeah,
Unknown (02:28):
my my experience rcbc has been sort of a flip flop of
things, which I feel like iskind of true for a large portion
of the students that come here.I started out this is, this
would be my third year here. Istarted out my first year, I was
very like, closed off, honestly.I just, I came here because I
(02:52):
didn't really know what else Iwanted to do, and I was sort of
stuck in this. I don't, I don'twant to be a part of this. I
would go to class and I wouldjust come straight home. And it
really it wasn't until I startedto get more involved, like I
went to the music club interestmeeting, and I really started to
see that there is actually a lotthat rcbc has to offer in terms
(03:17):
of community. And so into mysecond year, really trying to
build this club with the team.Everything kind of just like
flipped and changed. And I felt,I felt weird saying, Oh man, my
time at rcbc is limited, and I'msad to go, but I don't know,
here I am now. This is my lastsemester, and I'm really sad to
(03:40):
leave. So that's kind of been myexperience so far,
Faith Ortega (03:43):
right? So you've kind of found your passion here
after a bit of time. What degreeare you pursuing currently,
Unknown (03:50):
entertainment, tech, sound and recording, okay, okay.
Faith Ortega (03:54):
Aldridge, would you like to go?
Unknown (03:56):
Yes. So my journey has been kind of the same as Ryan's,
because we graduated from thesame high school in the same
class, so we were classmates. Iwould say, for my first year, it
was the same I was just like,I'm just gonna go to my classes,
and like, I'm just gonna get outof here. And I didn't have a
great GPA because I couldn'tfind a reason that I wanted to
(04:17):
be at rcbc. So it was kind ofjust like a thing where I'm just
floating through and one day,Ryan invited me to the music
club interest meeting, and Ithink all three of us were there
at the interest meeting. Yeah,yeah. And I decided to take this
step with Ryan, and we justdecided to do this thing. And I
feel like it's beentransformative for me as well,
(04:38):
because I was, like, the biggestthing that I struggled with was
I didn't have a reason or asocial life, so this helped me
get out of my shell and reallyembrace kind of who I am, and I
really appreciate, I'm reallythankful for this opportunity.
Faith Ortega (04:51):
Wow, that's amazing. So you guys all met at
that interest club. Brian, didyou know Aldridge before that as
well from high school? Yes,
Unknown (04:59):
I. We both. We went to Burlington Township High School,
and he came in our senior year.Actually, we were in the same
physics class, and he's justbeen like, we've been partners
in crime for a little while now.And it's just, I could, I
couldn't ask for a better likePresident to do this with
(05:20):
honestly, or a better team ingeneral, but yeah, so we've
known each other, what, likethree or four years now, yes, I
see it right now, something likethat.
Faith Ortega (05:27):
Wow, that's amazing to hear. And ash, what
about you? What has yourexperience been like at rcbc so
far?
Unknown (05:33):
So I'm kind of the odd one out here, because I did not
go to high school with either ofthem. I went to high school in
Florence Township, so for yearsI kind of in high school. I kind
of jumped back and forth withwhat I wanted to do in high
school, I was very, veryinvolved with the music program.
It was pretty much the onlyreason why I got out of bed
(05:54):
every morning. I was in concertband, concert choir. I was in
PIP band, marching band, prettymuch anything with the word band
after I was in high school, andI decided that when I came to
rcbc, I was dead. Sat actuallyon being a zoology major, I
wanted to, I wanted to work as areptile specialist, but not even
(06:17):
a week of being at rcbc, I waslike, Oh no, no, no, I don't
want to do this anymore. So Iactually switched from biology,
I switched over to music, and Iwas kind of set onto your music
education, but then I did moreresearch, I decided that I'm
very, very involved in the musicindustry. I'm a recording
(06:38):
artist. I'm part of a streetteam for a band based out pretty
much all over the place with afriend of mine. I run a street
team on Instagram with her, andI decided that I'd much rather
be working in the music industrymore so on the business side, on
the marketing side, thepromotion side, so I decided to
(06:58):
continue pursuing in music, butmake a bit of an early transfer
from rcbc to Rowan University tokind of pursue music business,
because it's something that Ireally see myself doing,
specifically touring management,and rcbc has helped me jump
start on that with my associatesor pursuing my major in music,
(07:25):
and they've kind of helped mefigure out what exactly it is
that I want to do with music,because it's such a broad
category, like it's not you onlyhave to do education, or you
only have to do this, you can doso many things when pursuing
Music. So rcbc has really helpedme broaden that perspective. And
yeah, I showed up to the firstmeeting back in November of last
(07:51):
year, just because I sawsomething about it. And I was
like, Okay, let me see what thisis about. And then I got an
email asking if I wanted aleadership position. So I was
like, yeah, just like, Give mewhatever I don't care. And they
gave me treasure. And I waslike, Cool, I don't know how to
sort out money, but I'll do itanyway. And well, now I do know
how to sort out money. So, yeah,
Faith Ortega (08:11):
wow. I think that's so great that you've been
able to find a career that's notonly practical because you are,
you know, picking maybe aspecific thing in music, but
it's something that you enjoyand it's something that you're
passionate about. I think that'smaybe what people get so
stressed out about in college,is finding a career that's a bit
(08:32):
of both for them. Yeah, sothat's that's incredible as
students here, before we starttalking about the music club,
what is your perspective onextracurricular participation in
relation to a student's success?
Unknown (08:47):
Okay, I don't want to, I don't want to say it's
essential, because everybody hastheir own path and everything
that they want to do, but itcertainly helps a lot. Like I
don't, I don't know, for mepersonally, if I would still be
coming to rcbc, if I hadn'tfound something else to do,
because I was just when you'rewhen you're just like, going to
(09:10):
class and coming home, andthere's kind of nothing else to
it. There's really not a lot ofmotivation, I guess, to to to
dive deeper in, you know, tokeep going, or you're not
really, unless, unless youreally love your classes and
stuff, and you're making friendsthere, and that's really cool.
But for a lot of people whoaren't necessarily in that
(09:31):
position, like I was,extracurriculars really provide
sort of that bridge to thecommunity aspect of college and
like, oh, community college, youknow, it starts to make sense.
But, yeah, I would sayextracurriculars, whether it's
music or, you know, we have acreative arts guild club here,
(09:52):
or something, or internationalclub, whatever you do. You know,
having a community just givesyou so much motivation and so
much. Much passion to reallylike show you why you're doing
this, you know, and keep yougoing, right?
Faith Ortega (10:06):
So it's a place to find community and friends.
Would any of you say that beingpart of clubs has helped maybe
gain experience or practice inyour industries or degrees that
you've chosen? Yeah,
Unknown (10:19):
yes, Yeah, most definitely, yes. I've learned,
you know, a lot of promotionaspects. I've learned to be that
really annoying person in yourear saying, hey, come to our
event on this day at this time.And I would drill it into your
head. I was literally a walkingpromotion for weeks leading up
to our festival last semester.
Faith Ortega (10:41):
That's great. And are you guys part of any other
clubs besides the music club?
Unknown (10:47):
Yes, I'm pretty involved on campus. I'm involved
in Brave, I would say the publicspeaking club here, the theater
club. And there are so manyother clubs that I go to
meetings for, but those are justsome of the things I help out
with. I feel like it's reallyimportant just to kind of stick
(11:07):
your hands in there and just getsome experience with leadership,
event planning, promotion, asash said, I feel like that's
super important for students, soI try to help out a lot.
Faith Ortega (11:17):
Wow, that's incredible. So you're part of,
you know, a bunch of differentclubs, would you say that's to
gain more experience for maybean eventual career that you're
going into, or just more to meetpeople on campus? I
Unknown (11:29):
would say it's both, and it's been fantastic. So I
really, I'm really proud of whatI've done here. Wow, incredible.
Faith Ortega (11:36):
Anyone else in any other clubs?
Unknown (11:38):
I'm involved with the theater club as well, a little
bit. They just actually hadtheir first like interest
meeting or something the otherday. Yeah, I heard about that.
It was very cool, yeah. Butother than that, I stick mainly
with the music club and theater
Faith Ortega (11:54):
club. Ash, how about you?
Unknown (11:56):
Um, I have very minor involvement in the LGBT
community club, very, very, veryminor. I'm friends with some of
the people in the club, but alot of my focus is towards being
part of the music club.
Faith Ortega (12:12):
Okay, gotcha, gotcha. So a little bit of hands
and a little bit of everything,meeting people around campus and
all these different clubs. Couldyou each go into how you
received your roles aspresident, vice president,
treasurer, and what it's beenlike so far having those roles?
Aldridge, maybe you want tostart as president. Um,
Unknown (12:31):
so my role is really nothing special. I feel like all
the other people do a lot morethan I do, but I we had the
leadership role meeting, andeverybody was filling out the
positions, and I said that Iwanted one too, and I was just
kind of nervous. I was like, oh,right, I'm just going to be
like, Vice President, because,you know, I don't want, like, a
(12:51):
lot of responsibility, butnobody filled in the president
role. So I was just like, Okay,I'll do this, and that's how I
am president.
Faith Ortega (13:01):
Wow, luck of the draw, fair enough. And what have
the roles been like so far? Arethere any specific roles you
have as president? Um,
Unknown (13:08):
not really. I would say, if it's I would say the
roles are kind of like a nameonly. It's kind of like more of
a board, and everybodycontributes what they can and
what they're comfortable with.
Faith Ortega (13:18):
Okay, gotcha. And Ryan, what has it been like,
even if it's just title, onlybeing vice president, even if
it's, you know, just by name,what, what kind of roles do you
have within the
Unknown (13:29):
club? It's been, it's been really cool. I so I am,
like I said, I'm going for,like, my degree in tech here,
and then moving on to Rowan,probably doing something similar
to ash business or production.Haven't really nailed that down
yet, but I tend to, I bring alot of the gear to a lot of the
(13:50):
events that we do, like we do,we have jam sessions and open
mic nights. So I bring, like,the PA system and the drums, and
I try, and I try to show up toas many of these things as I
can, and be sort of afacilitator of what's going on.
Other than that, just workingwith everybody else, we really
(14:10):
do have a cool thing going, likewe have our roles, like you
said, president, vice president,treasurer, but it's when you
have it as more of a board. Itfeels like there's more of a
shared responsibility, whichkind of brings you together a
little more. And I've reallyenjoyed, enjoyed that aspect,
Faith Ortega (14:30):
so it's more of a collaboration altogether. Yes,
yeah. And ash, I know you saidyou've never been a treasurer
before. What has it been like?You know, assuming that role and
maybe learning what you have todo for the music club.
Unknown (14:44):
So it was kind of the same as it was for Aldridge. Um,
I was asked if I wanted aleadership role. And I was like,
Yeah, sure, just give mewhatever. And they gave me
treasure. Okay. I was like,okay, looked it up. I was like,
Okay, I'm in charge of money.Okay? I know. Clue how to do
that. But, um, slowly, as westarted getting the club
together, and, you know, startedgetting people on the board that
(15:07):
were thoroughly interested inum, actually, um doing stuff, I
got to learn um, things likemaintaining money for um,
fundraising. And you know whatthose like aspects of money is,
you know, stuff like that. I'vebeen able to, you know, kind of
have eyes on what exactly ourfunds are, if we can, if we take
(15:29):
funds of the schools giving usmoney for certain things, which
we do, get free pizza a lot. Sofor events, we get a lot of free
pizza. But yeah, I would alsoagree it's very, very
collaborative. If I'm, if Ihave, you know, stuff regarding
money, it's not just me thattakes the bulk of the work. I
(15:50):
feel like it's spread out uponeveryone. Like stuff, like
reimbursements for events wehold questions regarding like
catering, and if we have to dipinto the club funds for that,
which, again, it's usually freefood, which is awesome tip, if
you're ever joining a club, youget a lot of free food. It's
really awesome. Yeah, it'sdefinitely very, very
(16:12):
collaborative. I would agree.It's kind of just words. We all
kind of help fill each other'sshoes and kind of spread out the
work evenly, especiallyregarding larger events,
Faith Ortega (16:28):
right? And that's a very essential role that maybe
some people don't even thinkabout, you know, the money
aspect that goes into a club andwhat it takes to keep it running
for the events and everything.Whoever wants to take this one,
could you explain the basics ofthe music club and its purpose
at rcbc? From a studentperspective,
Unknown (16:50):
I think you should take this one. Ryan, okay,
well, I've kind of been sayingthis and Aldrich, like we were
saying this to each other,really a lot in the beginning is
I was really frustrated cominginto rcbc that there wasn't that
we do, we do have a musicprogram, and we have a
(17:10):
phenomenal music program. It's,it's not like always talked
about. I don't think it gets asmuch credit as it deserves. But
they, they provide, like, youknow, lessons and there's a
choir here, there's a band,there's jazz band. But I was
really frustrated that therewasn't necessarily a space for a
(17:33):
musician who didn't totally fitwithin that realm, like I had
not done I didn't do like bandor jazz band in high school or
orchestra. I really wanted to,but I was terrified and I didn't
think I was good enough. So Ikind of wanted to find or create
a space for that individual, youknow, and I was talking with
(17:56):
Aldrich and ash and the rest ofthe club, we kind of came
together to create that space,you know. And if you if you do
that, we've found that a lot ofpeople will, will, will come to
that, you know, and pull up andwith an acoustic guitar or
electric or a bass, you know, oreven sometimes, like a weird
(18:18):
instrument, like, like this.It's not exactly a flute that
our buddy Joe brought one time,but it's some sort of wooden
flute like instrument like, younever know what people are gonna
bring. And we, I feel like we'vedone a really good job of
creating that space, and I'mvery proud of that, you know,
(18:39):
and not just with GM sessions wedo, you know, like, like I said,
open mic nights. We've got amusic festival coming up, Battle
of the Bands. Like, we're justtrying to create as much
opportunity for the musiciancoming here that doesn't
necessarily fit into the choiror the traditional like band or
jazz band road, but still wantsto participate.
Faith Ortega (19:00):
So this doesn't have to be, you know,
professionals even that justplay an instrument. It could be
anyone who maybe even just wantsto test it out or join and hang
out for these, these jamsessions, absolutely.
Unknown (19:13):
Yeah, you don't even have to play an instrument to
pull up if you want to just comeand listen to live music. You
know, that's the thing. Andwhile we do like, we do
definitely encourage like if youhave more of an interest in in
gaining knowledge and gainingtechnique, we have theory
classes. We have ear trainingclasses at rcbc, the professors
(19:33):
are amazing, and they reallywork with you. So there is a lot
to pursue in that, in the theacademics of music. But if that
doesn't work for you, and if youdon't have that experience, or
you don't feel like you're goodenough, yet, come to the music
club, you know, and if you arethat good at that point, come to
the music club anyway. There's aspace for everyone. That's
Faith Ortega (19:54):
awesome. And I heard you mention a few events
that you guys do. You on, youknow, a semester, a weekly
basis. Whoever wants to takethis one, and could you
elaborate on the weekly jamsessions that you have every
Friday? I know they're in thephoto auditorium, correct? Yes,
Unknown (20:14):
yeah, we do. We have jam sessions. We kind of, we try
to keep the momentum going atthe Music Club, to keep
ourselves really active. So wedo, we have, like, weekly events
in the jam in the form of jamsessions, sometimes ice cream
socials. So we'll have, we havethe auditorium from one to 430
every Friday. So we'll just kindof say, Hey, if you sing, if you
(20:36):
play an instrument, if you'dlike to listen to music, come to
the auditorium every Friday. Andsometimes somebody will have an
idea, like an original idea,that they'll want to, you know,
kind of practice or work on withthe group. Sometimes we'll just
throw four cords up on awhiteboard or something like,
oh, let's, let's do somethingweird here. Sometimes we'll take
(20:57):
a part of a cover, actually,last Friday, somebody named
Hunter came. He's been coming tothe jam sessions this semester.
News, very cool guy.
I went to high school with him,actually. Oh, cool. Yeah, it's a
small world. Yeah, definitely.
But So Hunter comes in with hisbase, and at the end, he's like,
(21:22):
Let's do chameleon by HerbieHancock. I was like, whoa, okay.
And so I think the thing that'sreally cool with jam sessions
too, is, regardless of whatwe're doing, there's this sense
that kind of goes beyond words,like it's sort of an exercise in
connecting solely through music,because you don't know when
somebody's gonna decide toswitch to a bridge or when
(21:46):
somebody's gonna start taking asolo. You kind of have to feel
it out. And most people with thejam sessions that I talk to
that, whether they do or don'tpull up, they're like, Oh man,
I'm just terrified to jump intothat. And it's scary, but it's
kind of, it's very much worthit, I would say. So that's sort
of what jam sessions are like ona weekly basis, every week,
(22:10):
every Friday.
Faith Ortega (22:10):
I find that in improvisational aspect of music
so interesting, like you said,like you may, you know, switch
up the notes or the pace thatyou're going, and you guys just
kind of have to work togetherand listen and, you know, adapt
to each other. That's reallycool. And what about these open
mic nights that you guys host?Is that more of a open to anyone
(22:32):
type of thing as well? Yes,
Unknown (22:34):
open bike nights, they're open to anybody, all
skill levels. It doesn't evenhave to be music. We had people
do stand up, comedy, poetrythere. We also have free food.
It's just kind of like a generalhangout thing, something for
students to do, to get away,relax. That's kind of what the
mission is, of open mic nights.Wow,
Faith Ortega (22:51):
that's really interesting. I didn't know that
there was, you know, anythingbesides, you know, singing or
music going on. So that's reallycool, that anyone can kind of
just come and share any talentthat they have. Do you have,
like, a specific inspirationthat you bring you know as a
musician or singer, or when youplay an instrument, when you
think about what kind of musicthat you like and why you got
(23:14):
into this? I'll let you thinkthere
Unknown (23:20):
that might be one. Yeah, I
have a unique situation becauseI don't play any instrument.
Okay, I'm not really a musicalguy. I listen to a lot of music.
I'm currently learning guitarthanks to Ryan, sometimes at the
jam sessions, he'll teach mesomething. But for me, I can't
really answer that question,because my situation is unique,
(23:42):
very,
very contrasting. I play aroundsix instruments. Most of the one
that I've known the longest isthe trumpet. It's my main
instrument in the Concert Band,and it's my chosen instrument
for my applied lessons here atrcbc. Besides that, I can play
the baritone in bass clef. Iplay the ukulele, which is my
(24:06):
second most known instrumentsince I've been playing it since
I was around 13. I've recentlybeen learning the piano and the
guitar, very, very little, andthe drums, which are my one true
love. I've learned it from mydad at the jam sessions. Mostly
last semester, I was alwaysthere taking down and setting up
(24:27):
the drum set, and I was behindit a lot of the time, messing
with the entire band byswitching up the tempo every
five seconds. I also sang, as Isaid, I'm a recording artist
working on, you know, getting myEP out in the, you know, it's a
major streaming platforms, andmy music tastes, I listen to
(24:49):
pretty much anything, just don'tplay country. That's my one. I
Faith Ortega (24:54):
feel like everybody, that's definitely a
thing,
Unknown (24:58):
yeah. But, I mean, I love. Um, pop punk. That's my
favorite music genre ever.
Faith Ortega (25:03):
And what genre will your EP be?
Unknown (25:05):
Um, all pop punk.
Faith Ortega (25:07):
Pop punk, yeah. Do you have a title
Unknown (25:09):
for it yet? No, not yet. It's in the very early
works. It's working. It'sworking, yes, but it's working.
We're getting there.
Faith Ortega (25:14):
Ryan, how about you? Do you have any you know
genres or artists that you pullfrom for inspiration? Yeah,
Unknown (25:21):
I tend to go through like, I'll get like, really deep
into a genre, and then I'll belike, All right time to move on,
find something new and figure itout. Recently, I've been, I've
been really getting into funk,like, and it's so interesting
how each genre teaches yousomething. Like, I feel like
each genre has mastered aspecific part of of music, and
(25:46):
like, funk, for example, is hasbeen teaching me so much about
about groove and just how toreally like lock in with the
rhythm section. And I've beenpicking up the bass a lot over
the summer and at my job, andit's just been like, there's
just so much to discover abouteach like, different things,
(26:08):
different aspects of music. I'ma big jazz guy as well. I've
been listening to a lot ofkamazi Washington, like jazz
fusion. Jazz fusion is kind ofone of those things where you're
like, at the bottom of MountEverest, and you're looking at
the top, and you're like, that'sreally cool. I'm good. I can't
get Yeah, I love jazz, but or atleast it's gonna take a while to
(26:31):
get there. I play, I play mainlykeys. I'd say is my main
instrument. I'm in a band weplay around the South Jersey.
Well, really, all of New Jerseyand a little bit of Pennsylvania
area called Swanson actuallyabout to drop our second LP.
It's not adding up, which iskind of like a math rock concept
(26:52):
album, which would be prettycool. Oh,
Faith Ortega (26:54):
that's really so do you in your band? You play
primarily rock music, yeah.
Unknown (26:59):
So we're, we try to branch out. I think, similarly
to the music club, we all kindof come from very different
backgrounds musically. So itends up being like, I would say
the core is probably like apsychedelic rock like King
gizzard and Elizabeth, butthat's so cool, yeah. So we try
to, we try to branch out.
Faith Ortega (27:20):
What's the band's name, if our listeners want to
go take a listen. Oh,
Unknown (27:24):
yeah, yeah, it's, it's Swanson. Okay, okay, yeah, okay.
Faith Ortega (27:27):
So if you're listening right now and that
sounds like your type of vibemade me go take a listen, can I
just
Unknown (27:33):
say something? Yeah, go forward to a concert. It was
some of the best music ever. Ihave a song recommendation, hoof
by Swanson, amazing. Thank you.
Faith Ortega (27:43):
I'm gonna have to pop in my headphones after this
and see what it's all about.We've kind of hit on this a
little with some of you. But doany of you have any specific
future goals or plans this couldbe inside or even outside of the
music club that you'd like toshare.
Unknown (28:01):
Release this EP. Oh, my God, it's been years. I've been
making music since I was 16years old, and releasing an EP
is hard when you know you'rejumping from producer to
produce. I used to work in astudio right in Center City.
Philly. Had to separate fromthat, and I've been back and
(28:21):
forth with people, butdefinitely releasing that EP and
going forwards with you know, mycareer in music, definitely my
goal in life, besides being amusician, is being a touring
manager for bands. My one goal,I love traveling. I want to
travel all over the world withbands just holding up VIP
(28:44):
lanyards, going, all right, isyour name on the list? That's
all I want to do. And it'ssomething I have a twin sister.
It's something she wants to dowith me. So definitely touring,
management, merch management,you know, doing things for bands
you know, on the travelingaspect, because I always love to
(29:04):
be moving. I always love to beactive on my feet. And as I
said, I love traveling. Sodefinitely just management with
bands, learning how to marketand how to kind of get in that
industry.
Faith Ortega (29:18):
So really, just getting involved in any way
possible in the music industry?Yep, that's so cool, Ryan, how
about you
Unknown (29:26):
getting involved in any way in the music industry?
Pretty is a pretty good wave torise. I'm in a similar boat. I'm
really interested in more of thetech side. I really love working
with audio, whether it's live orin a studio. More recently, I've
(29:47):
been getting into thecomposition aspects, like the
theory and stuff. I was never atheory kid. I I've been playing
piano since I was like five, soabout to be 16 years. I never, I
hated, like reading the sheetmusic. I never wanted to learn a
song I like through sheet music.I would do like through the just
(30:09):
listening to it and stuff. Butrecently, actually, after coming
to rcbc and taking their MusicFundamentals class with
Professor Sean Ryan, it reallyopened up my world to just how
like this is this? These are thebuilding blocks, you know. And
I'm a big film score guy aswell, so like seeing composers
(30:31):
like Hans Zimmer or ThomasNewman come out and score
something like Oppenheimer orthat was Ludwig Goron son from
saying that, right? Or just,they're just, they're using
theory and kind of, like, likea, like a flaming sword, you
know, to cut through the jungle.And it's so interesting to me.
(30:53):
So if I could do something inarranging or composing or in
technology, if the Swanson thingworks out, that'd be pretty cool
too. Yeah, yeah. But just anyanything where I can be a part
of making music or helpingothers make music, I'll be
happy. Cool,
Faith Ortega (31:11):
cool. And Aldridge, I know you said you're
just, you know, starting tolearn the guitar, but career
wise, you know, what do you seeyourself doing in the future?
Um,
Unknown (31:20):
I'll definitely be a project manager in the future in
terms of the music club. What Iwant to do is, obviously, we're
going to do the harvest festivaland Battle of the Bands, but I
think that next semester isgoing to be a challenge, because
we do have a few people on theboard leaving, so I'm going to
have to figure out a newsolution, and also new kind of,
like event formats, because Ican't do battle the bands,
(31:44):
because Ryan is running sound,and he does a lot of the sound
stuff. So I'll have to figurethat out with Office of Student
Life, and that's one of the newchallenges I'll have to face.
But I'm still optimistic aboutit, because I know that from
this point, we've done a lottogether. So I believe, like in
myself, because working with youguys has taught me a lot about
myself and just everything atthe school and all the resources
(32:06):
available, and I think thatusing them will still be able to
succeed and do things that'll befun for the student base. Do
Faith Ortega (32:13):
you think you know, if you find people as
passionate as yourselves, thatit'll work out in the end, and
it'll keep going as strongly asit has. I
Unknown (32:22):
think even with or without them, it will work out.
But I believe there are going tobe a lot of people who want to
help out, for
Faith Ortega (32:29):
sure, for sure, real quick. Whoever wants to
give a last few words, if youcould talk to a student who is
maybe on the fence a littlenervous about joining the music
club. Maybe they think they'renot talented enough or
something. What would you tellthem?
Unknown (32:47):
Come to an event, come to a jam session, come to an
open mic night, come to an icecream social, you know, just
just come to it. Get as involvedas you feel comfortable with.
Talk to somebody, talk to one ofthe board members, you know, and
we try to create a veryinclusive environment. So even
if you're not like, even ifyou're not Herbie Hancock
walking into the room, you know,there's a place for you, so just
(33:10):
come and try it.
Can I add to that as well? Yeah,go ahead, as somebody who
doesn't play an instrument inseeing all of you guys do your
thing, and it's, like, amazing,I would say, the most important
thing that I can say is that youshould come to an event and talk
to a board member, because Ikind of understand what it's
like for a lot of the studentswho are scared, because I was
terrified doing this, so I canbe a helping hand. And I'm
(33:32):
always a friend. I'm alwaysaround. So I would definitely
just say, Join. We'll take careof you, for sure. I'd like
to add to that, too, as a personwho was known as the band kid in
high school, and some people inhigh school did not like that
very much, I was very surprisedto come to rcbc and know that
(33:55):
there was an entire music club.And, you know, it was kind of
hard for me to make friends whenI came to rcbc, because I came
from a relatively small highschool, and rcbc is very large
in comparison to my graduatinghigh school class. So I would
just say, you know, if you'rehaving trouble making friends,
if you're feeling like, youknow, like you don't really fit
(34:17):
in anywhere, which is so clicheand so cheesy to say, but like,
it is kind of a real thing. Thencome to the music club. We have
free food, you know, sit next tosomeone and, you know, just
like, get talking. You know, youdon't have to be the most
talented person in the room. Youjust just, if you enjoy music in
some way, shape or form, thenyou 100% are in the right place,
(34:41):
and you most definitely belongin the music club, for sure. So
just
Faith Ortega (34:45):
try it out if you're listening, even if you
just want to find friends ormaybe practice music, the music
club is there for you? Yes, 100%I want to thank you all for
being here today. It's been sucha privilege to have this.
Conversation with all of you.Thank you for listening today.
As we learned about the musicclub, you can find more
(35:06):
information about them throughthe student clubs and activities
tile on your Baron one account.You can check out the students
choice podcast atrcbc.edu/podcast, or wherever
you get your podcasts. If you'rean rcbc club member and you'd
like to be on a future episode.Fill out the application located
on the rcbc.edu/podcast page.I'm Faith Ortega, and remember
(35:31):
your choice, your voice, ourrcbc. You.
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