#goasd

Hello! This is Gerardo Hernandez, this year's ArtBeat Radio intern. I am a student at Cal State Long Beach. Like most people, music has been central to my life since I was young. I love seeing how music is integrated into people's day-to-day lives, ceremonies, education, relaxation, etc. That passion has driven me to pursue a higher education. With that education, i'd like to become an Ethnomusicologist so that I may continue studying music and culture. You know what they say, if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. Keeping up with this summer's theme, “Memories”, it's time for me to look back at everything accomplished with the students and staff here at Arts and Services for Disabled, Inc.

The theme “Memories” came about while watching a ton of the recordings posted online by the students and the music therapist that they worked with. I was amazed by the enormous corpus of songs that the students performed. There were songs from the 1950s up to new indie hits. It was astonishing and I began to wonder how they knew so many songs. This thought eventually led up the idea of a podcast based on the theme of “memories,” which gave the students a nice opportunity to look back at their childhoods, their time at Arts and Services, and even learn songs they used to love.

Soon after came an idea for another project, a video. It was intended to allow more students to contribute to a project, including students from the other centers. The idea then developed into an infomercial with a retro vibe that would serve as a companion piece to the podcast, which includes two songs from the 1980s. Students from all four centers were asked to design and paint backdrops and choose their favorite songs to be filmed for the final product.

The video was premiered on August 5th during our 80's prom. 

We all worked together to make this event a success: the video backdrops were propped on the walls, decorations were picked and made by the students, and music was provided by a student DJ as well. The video was a success, and everyone celebrated with a fun dance party to start their weekend.

Taking some time to reminisce was very nice. Many of us found that we had such wonderful childhoods. It brought us joy to remember our youth. Others remembered young love and songs that reminded us of times gone by. The most important thing that we learned was that although it is nice to look back, we must remember to focus on the present or we just might miss out on making new memories.

-Gerardo Hernandez

ArtBeat Radio Intern 2016

Thank you to the Los Angeles County Arts Commission for supporting the Artbeat Radio Internship