These Kids are Heard and Not Seen….

Part of our From the Desk of……Series

By Lauren Price, Umbrella Media

There it is! On the inside page of Music Express Magazine! “Recording Producer, Andy Waterman.” Admittedly, it’s way at the bottom of the masthead … but for us, Music Express Magazine ranks at the very top of the list of the projects that we work on.

Andy Waterman is my husband and together we have the honor of creating the audio for six issues of Music Express Magazine each year. Andy takes care of all things musical; I do all the logistical things like scheduling and hiring. Living here in the Los Angeles area, we have access to some of the most talented musicians and singers anywhere in the world. These are the folks that you’ve heard playing and singing on movie scores, TV shows, Academy Awards … and, yes, Music Express. I love having them here on sessions. Their musicality is astounding. They are smart, interesting, funny, fun to be with … and they’re our friends.

BUT … nothing is as satisfying or uplifting as our Music Express vocal sessions with the kids. These are the sessions I look forward to the most and enjoy the best.

We have assembled an extraordinary cast of young people from eight to 13 years old. They’re all good singers, of course, which is why we hire them. But they are so much more than that. They are the most poised, self-confident young people I’ve ever met. They come into the studio prepared and ready to work, and they conduct themselves as professionally as our adult singers. Imagine kids that shake your hand and make eye contact while speaking to you (in complete sentences)!

John and our fabulous studio kids!

The kids in a session recording for the magazine

There is no doubt in my mind that what makes these kids so special is their involvement with music. They sing in their school choirs. They participate in school and/or community musical theatre. As educators, you know how beneficial and enriching music can be for your students’ lives and education. I could list all the benefits, but that would be preaching to the choir (sorry – couldn’t help myself…).

Everything these kids need to know about becoming productive, well-adjusted, good citizens they learn through their musical experiences. Since they are used to performing with others, they’ve had to develop certain social and emotional skills necessary to contribute successfully to the group. They learn discipline, collaboration, patience, persistence and motivation. Auditioning for roles teaches them how to take risks, how to handle rejection, how to rejoice in their success and to celebrate the success of their colleagues.

Will any of these kids go on to have careers on Broadway? Who knows? Will any of them become the next Taylor Swift or Justin Timberlake? Again, who knows? But this I do know – the valuable life lessons they’ve learned make them stars.

Cheryl Lavender, internationally recognized as a master music educator, said it best … “The fact that children make beautiful music is less significant than the fact that music can make beautiful children.”

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Along with her husband, Andy Waterman, Lauren Price Waterman runs Umbrella Media, a Los Angeles-based media production company.  As Studio Manager, Lauren is responsible for scheduling sessions, hiring the talent, keeping the coffee hot, craft services  … and writing the occasional blog. For more information visit: www.UmbrellaMedia.La

Andy Waterman and Lauren Price Waterman

John’s Journal – September

Curious about what happens on recording day?  We did a session a few weeks back – and here’s how it went!

One of the best things I get to do about six times a year is get up at 3 AM at my home in Northern California. I know that part doesn’t sound so great but wait…Before I head out the door I pat my dog on the head and head out into the pitch darkness. Then I get in the car and head down the long, dark driveway and onto the country road I live near. Sometimes I see a bear and always some deer on the way. I drive about an hour and half north into Oregon. The only radio is a twangy country station and I sing along at the top of my lungs.

I get to the airport in Medford and catch a 5:30 fight that takes me to San Francisco where I catch another flight to Burbank. I arrive there at about 9 AM and hustle to the rent a car area. I drive about fifteen minutes away to Megatrax Studios. So far it sounds delightful doesn’t it? NOT!

When I walk in the studio I am greeted by Andy, Luke and Lauren. Andy is our producer. Not just any producer. Andy produces probably 80% of all the choral music at Hal Leonard and %100 of the Music Express Music. He’s a genius. His wife Lauren is an invaluable assistant in all endeavors. She does everything from book the talent, provide the lunch, run the teleprompter, chase down props and pretty much anything else we need. Then there is Lucas, he’s our genius young man who knows everything about cameras, lights, sound, how to fix my phone, and he’s a great musician! I mean the guy can do everything!  (Watch for a post from Lauren’s perspective next week!)

Andy Waterman and his wife Lauren Price

Luke – the genius!

But then the joy-filled fun really begins because that’s when the kids show up. We have a pool of super-talented kids who help me with the videos. We usually try to do the shoots on Saturday or Sunday afternoons so we don’t conflict with school. These kids are so busy! They are all auditioning around town, performing on stage and screen, taking lessons in voice, dance, acting and everything else.

Now you might be thinking that it would be difficult to work with a bunch of “Hollywood kids.” You might think that they are all about me, me, me! You could not be farther from the truth! These are greatest bunch of kids. They are so eager to learn, so excited to hear about what’s going on in each others’ lives and so fun to be around. This week I got to dance with Haley , Natalie, Philip and Diego! Four awesome kids! They usually come with one or more of their parents in tow, so we have all become like a family. They are just the best!

John and Philip

John and Diego

Haley and Natalie

After the session I drive to LAX and get on a plane back to Oregon. I get there at about 10:30 pm and drive the hour and half back to where I started about 20 hours ago. It IS exhausting but I look forward every time to when I get to get back with Andy, Luke, Lauren and those wonderful Music Express Kids who make it all worthwhile!