Term Paper on "Academic Autobiography"

Term Paper 4 pages (1562 words) Sources: 0

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Academic Autobiography

There are events that have the capacity to alter one's life course. I have learned that most of the time, these events are concretized in split seconds that result in life-changing choices. And these are not empty words, as a document posted in November 2006 would change my life forever. It was a job opening for a full time, tenured position for Professor of Music Technology at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California. As a full time music technology professional and educator with more than 25 years of experience, I was exhilarated at the thought of taking my profession to another level and being able to share my knowledge and experience with college students.

After a series of intense panel interviews with academic hiring committees, I was awarded the position. Nonetheless, my position relied on successfully tackling a challenge I was being faced with: the challenge of completing a Bachelor's degree. I was 51 units away from a dream and goal I had treasured for a long time. This inspired me to enroll at Charter Oak College and attempt to complete my academic degree. The first step in the process required an academic review of my transcripts to determine a path of action in order for my goal to become attainable. In reflecting on these classes I believe they have all contributed to form a comprehensive education that is broad and well balanced. All of these classes expanded my consciousness, creativity and critical thinking skills. Despite the apparent heterogeneous nature of these classes, they influence each other creating and contributing to a profound interactive and supportive synergy that is clearly greater than the sum of its parts. All of these classes directly contributed to my career as professor of Music Technology and professional music producer.

The concentrating classes provided me with crucial knowledge that, along with hard work and dedication, has largely contributed to my success in the music technology industry. These classes make up a well balanced and complimentary study in the field of music technology which has allowed me to evolve as a professional in the music business, and to be able to take on new professional challenges.

The Electronic Music and Recording Arts classes represent the fundamental core training in music technology. It is essential to understand the workflow of contemporary recording studio techniques including microphone placement, audio signal processing, mixing and mastering. The electronic music classes include the use of software and digital audio such as Pro-Tools, the industry standard software that is used to produce all of today's music releases. Mastering Pro-Tools is, therefore, essential for success in the industry. As a recording studio owner with over 200 commercially released albums for major record labels and an experienced Music Technology Instructor and studio technician, I believe that it is crucial for me to get a profound understanding of the technical mechanisms behind music production, and this particular course has awarded me an in-depth look at what these mechanism entail and how I can fully apply them in my professional life.

As a professional in the field of audio recording and a music composer for many feature films and TV shows, I found the Film Scoring Techniques - Digital Sound Design extremely beneficial to my chosen career path as well as an overall interesting experience with the world of sound design. Although sound design was initially restricted to the field of films, it is now frequently incorporated into other styles of music as well. This course also prepared me for multimedia, video games and television production.

The Music Business class provided important information regarding contracts, licenses, publishing and distribution. I believe that understanding how the music business works is essential for success, and this course supported my previous experience as a business owner and entrepreneur and allowed me to deepen my view on global business. Through the course of both my academic and personal life, I have learned that without a solid understanding of the music business, a music technology degree would lead to nothing more than an expensive hobby.

The Intro to Jazz History - Music in World Cultures course is perhaps the dearest to me because I had been involved in the field of composing and producing World Music long before taking this particular class. My productions have always integrated a diverse range of influences which I was introduced to either throughout my professional experience with musicians from different parts of the world or as a result of my higher education studies in fields such as classical Indian music or Flamenco guitar.

By providing an insight into a wide range of musical genres, I found this course extremely relevant both to my professional career and to my personal interests and passions, i.e. discovering new cultures and ways of enhancing musical experience in general. To this aim, I have collaborated with master drummers from Brazil, Cuba, Korea, Africa, Peru and Egypt, have played in the Balinese Gamelan Orchestra under the direction of ethnomusicologist Dr. Lou Harrison at San Jose State University and have become a member of the Society of Ethnomusicology. Also, I think that this course is very relevant in the present historical context of globalization which stimulates the integration of local sounds into global audio productions.

My final general education courses were recently completed in 2007. Taking these classes as a mature adult allowed me the opportunity to perceive and deeply appreciate the multi-dimensional benefits from participating in these studies. By immersing myself in these classes with total dedication, I was able to maximize the many benefits, receive greater amounts of knowledge and develop improved reasoning skills. These General Education studies have transformed the way I think and the way I communicate. They have expanded my vocabulary and given me many tools to be a better teacher.

The Math for Liberal Arts Majors class was transformative in several ways. Firstly, it provided me with technical knowledge that is directly applicable in my professional life, i.e. music technology, as the latter incorporates substantial mathematical theory, such as in the case of frequency sampling rates, bit resolution, compression ratios and histograms. Secondly, I have learned that mathematical principles are expressed and applicable everywhere; they represent an important part of the foundation of the surrounding world which I have always strived to understand. Also, this class has enhanced my reasoning and problem solving abilities by sharpening my intellect and helping me organize and systematize my thought process. Nevertheless, the most important benefit as far I am concerned has been the elevation of my ability to teach and present the higher mathematics inherent in musical structure, such as the harmonic overtone series and the relationship of sound to whole number ratios.

The English course relied on the concentrated study of a wide range of classic and modern literature including poetry, fiction and drama, which has been a magnificent adventure. I have found an incredible connection between literature and music in the sense that they both convey condensed amounts of information that have the ability to move the receiver. The study of literature has enhanced my understanding of the universe, life and nature of the human condition. Also, as far as practical skills, I was able to improve my analytical and creative abilities but also to communicate more effectively. This class involved a large amount of reading and writing which in turn, implied research techniques as well as good discipline and organization, three skills which will be very helpful as I continue my academic career both teaching and studying.

The Public Speaking class was helpful for me to recognize my talent as a public speaker and to build a foundation of fundamental knowledge and techniques in public speaking. I was encouraged by both teacher and peer group and praised for the quality of my speaking… READ MORE

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