Video and Audio from Student Projects & Performances

Here you can see examples of student work from some of the courses I have taught, including Wind Band, String Orchestra, Songwriting, Beginning Guitar, Rock Band, Audio Production, and World Percussion

String Ensemble

Jay’s first year at Berkeley International School was challenging for both teacher and students alike, as the school year began with many COVID-19 precautions in place, including social distancing requirements that prevented the ensembles from rehearsing. Despite this, the ensemble soldiered on, selecting pieces for a Christmas concert they weren’t certain would even take place and rehearsing them individually and in small groups, socially distanced and in masks, or at times, remotely using Zoom or Soundtrap.

The first video is of the Berkeley International School Grade 8 String Ensemble Performing “The Nutcracker Suite” at a fun “Christmas pajamas” performance in the school theater. We were very fortunate to be able to perform this concert before all of Thailand would again transition to distance learning in April 2021.

The second video is a video of Jay guest conducting the AISAA Band and Orchestra at Mahidol University International Demonstration School (MUIDS) in 2019. This was a special performance, as the ensemble contained both Jay’s TCIS Wind Band as well as his future Berkeley String Ensemble Members, in addition to students from a number of other Bangkok-area Schools.

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Wind Band Ensemble

Under Mr. Jay Carlin’s direction, the High School Wind Band performed every Monday at the all-school assembly. In addition to the fight song, alma mater, and national anthem, students selected, arranged, and orchestrated these songs. The Ensemble’s goal was to always have new music to perform each week. This required students to be well-versed in many styles of music and develop excellent sight reading skills. The ensemble would also perform regularly at seasonal concerts, sporting events, and off-campus community activities. They even once performed for the wedding of an alumni who really loved the band!

The TCIS Wind Band traveled to England twice to participate in the Harrogate International Youth and Music Festival, in both April 2015 and April 2017. In 2015, the Wind Ensemble performed selections of music from Brazil to celebrate the 2014 World Cup and the then-upcoming 2016 Olympics in Rio. In 2017, the Wind Ensemble performed The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, arranged by director Jay Carlin, in its entirety to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic record. It was a huge honor for the school and students to be chosen to participate in this festival not once, but twice!

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Songwriting - United Nations SDG's Concert

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Project

Special Songwriting Unit

These videos are part of a special songwriting unit involving the Berkeley High School Rock Band and Audio Productions class. The entire school focused on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, integrating them into our curriculum and holding a special “World Outdoor Classroom Day” event. Working in groups, these students studied the Sustainable Development Goals, drew inspiration from other Music-oriented awareness concerts like Live Aid, and organized a concert to spread awareness of the SDG’s to their peers and community. Each group wrote the lyrics and music to their songs, then recorded studio-quality versions of them, culminating in a live performance for 100’s of students and community members.

A great example of using music to promote awareness, raise money, and be a part of something bigger!

Beginning Guitar

Guitar Ensemble

Guitar Ensemble offers students an opportunity to learn guitar in a class setting. Students also investigate modern and classic music styles that interest them, and prepare performances, presentations, and lectures on songs and artists who interest them. At TCIS, this class also prepared students to take other classes like Rock Band or Audio Productions.

The first video is of a group performing Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire”. The second is a segment from a live video feed of a concert where a group of first-year musicians performed Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” featuring Mr. Jay on lead Guitar. I love this video, because it demonstrates how people who have only been playing for a few months can make music with people who have been playing for 25 years, and still have a lot of fun doing it!

Rock Band Ensemble

Student Songs on Spotify

Below is a Spotify Playlist for last year’s Rock Band Songwriting unit. The students set a goal to write, record, and promote their own original songs as a collaborative project with the Audio Productions Class. All of these songs are available for streaming on Spotify, or for purchase on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, and others.

Live Performances

Below are some Selected Videos of the Rock Band Ensemble Performing Live. These groups choose, arrange, rehearse, promote, and perform concerts at least once a month during the school year. Students learn a wide range of music across many decades, but always have the final say in the songs they choose.

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Recording Studio & Music Production

The Audio Productions Class members create, record, edit, and produce many of the audio recordings and live performances at our school. Here are some Cover Song Projects that the Audio Productions students created. They also assist the Rock Band in recording those students’ original songs.

World Percussion Ensemble

The World Percussion Ensemble students investigate music styles that interest them from all over the world, including Asia, Africa, and South America, and perform these selections at assemblies and concerts. Students also experiment with creating percussion pieces of their own, using both traditional mallets and hand drums, as well as using non-traditional instruments, such as Basketballs.