A Break to Make Beats

By FSM Communications

Students at North Lawndale College Prep recently took a break from their usual video production activities to spend a week studying sound design. Each year, NLCP sponsors an Intersession week, during which students choose a “college” from various workshops organized by NLCP faculty. Free Spirit Media transformed its classroom into the College of Beats. Two visiting artists, Kenny Smith and Carnell Newbill, offered their time, equipment, and expertise to teach students how to produce original beats and songs. Students worked with professional audio mixers, synthesizers, and percussion instruments, and wrote their own lyrics to record over their beats. By the end of the week, the “Talented 24” had created a full CD of original material!