Indiana Wesleyan students make waves on Martha’s Vineyard

This semester, three students from Indiana Wesleyan University, Zach Bright (so), Alysha (so) and Alexandria Schall (so), are studying music at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Classes focusing on hands-on experience in songwriting, recording, performing, artist management and marketing are now offered by the Contemporary Music Center, an off-campus study program sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities and www.bestsemester.com.
After arriving on the island, Bright found himself surrounded by state-ofthe- art recording, sound reinforcement, lighting and video gear. His time is spent recording artists, running sound for live shows and equipping his knowledge of the digital domain. Bright will help in the compilation CD to be released this spring on the New England label, 450 Records.
“I love music, from listening, playing, to producing it. I have a passion for music and I hope that whatever purpose there is for my life involves music,” said Bright.
When the Schall sisters got to Martha’s Vineyard, the sisters were signed to an exclusive management with Offshore Entertainment Group. This group is a student-run career development and marketing firm. When not in class, they divide their time between the recording studio, rehearsal rooms and the photo studio and performance space, preparing the tools they will need to launch their music career after graduation. Their songs will also be featured on a compilation CD released this spring on 450 Records.
“My semester at CMC has been challenging, eyeopening and a true learning experience,” said Alexandria Schall. “I appreciate how I have been stretched both an artist and a learner and I wish that every career field provided such an immersion experience.”
The CMC is one of 12 semester-away programs that were created by the CCCU and www.bestsemester.com. Students have a wide variety of places to chose from, including China, Russia, Egypt, Latin America, Oxford, England, Washington, D.C., Uganda, Australia and Hollywood to explore the interaction of faith and learning in various fields of study.
CMC Director Warren Pettit said, “We chose Martha’s Vineyard as the location for our program both because it has a long history as an artists’ community and because it affords students the opportunity to get away from the distractions of big-city life and spend an intensive four months identifying and developing their creative gifts while gaining key insights into the inner workings of the music industry.”

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