Music composition major Cole Rumora ’15 is anticipating something not every undergrad is able to: the release of a cd containing his first professional collaboration.
When singer-songwriter Caroline Jones came to campus as part of her “The Heart Is Smart” initiative and concert tour, she worked with two student composers to collaborate on a project for her new cd. As one of the students chosen for the honor, Rumora selected a piece from Jones’ discography, which he transcribed and arranged for an ensemble comprised of Denison students and Jones herself.
Rumora chose to arrange the Frank Sinatra classic “All The Way.” “Just listening to it, I could hear what each part would be doing, and I knew I could make it work with our string ensemble,” Rumora said. “It was a really valuable experience to transcribe something entirely by ear and arrange a new work from that.”
While Rumora has had experience arranging musical pieces before, the experience of professionally recording a work for release was something entirely new. “I’ve recorded things before, of course, but this was a three hour process with tons of mikes and with all sorts of different takes,” he said. “I learned a lot from the experience, and am so thankful for the opportunity.”
During “The Heart is Smart” concert, which featured the student works, Jones shared her considerable musical talents and messages of self-acceptance, love and optimism, while playing a wide range of instruments in a number of different styles. Many of her songs were self-composed, but she also paid tribute to artists like blues musician Muddy Waters and incorporated traditional American folk songs into her performance.
“Life is all about learning to enjoy each step,” said Jones. “Happiness is a feeling, not a destination. It’s important not to put conditions on happiness.”
Watch Jones and Denison students perform Rumora's composition:
