Gilbert High School’s Music Appreciation Club produced a holiday record in the Gladiators’ own music studio, Club 33 1/3. This is the first complete recording, engineered and produced in the studio.
The five song EP will be available in digital and pressed format in time for the holidays. If you scanned the QR Code during the pre-order period, and placed an order, you are on the Nice List and get a CD copy. Digital tracks are now available (first 3 listens are free).
LINK: https://gladiatorclub333.bandcamp.com/album/christmas-at-gilbert
Students in the music appreciation class and their Gladiator friends collaborated with arts assistants- Marlena Khramov, Moses Franco, Joseph Franco, and Antony Attalla- and club advisor, Ms. Frese, to plan and design the project. Students practiced in room 12 and then recorded their tracks in the studio. From concept to final product this was done within a short few-week window in an effort to finish before winter break. All tracks feature students on newly learned instruments like drums, ukuleles, and percussion. Some students had prior experience, but needed mentoring on bass, guitars, and keyboards. Many who sang, sang for the first time, gaining confidence from mentorship and teaching from arts assistants.
Most of the studio equipment was purchased with Prop 28 funds and finished off with donations from music industry friends and donors. The space is still in need of decor and an aesthetic makeover.
This first music recording endeavor was a huge undertaking and everyone is invited to celebrate beyond the holidays when the studio is dedicated in January with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“The studio is cool,” said Mahkai Johnson, one of the students in on the session and in the music appreciation class.
“Being in the class and the club is really a blessing. The music studio that we have is a blessing,” said senior music appreciation student, Lucia Reyes.
“I am excited to hear how the final product sounds,” added Athan Smith, guitarist and vocalist on the EP. “It was a combination of many creative ideas, and everyone worked hard to finish in time for the holidays.”
Arts Assistant, Moses Franco, explained, “It’s amazing to see students develop their skills and actually overcome their vulnerability to learn and try something new, musically and personally.”
“I’m really proud of all the students and arts assistants who participated in this studio recording experience. It has been a magical musical journey,” said Marlena Khramov, music arts assistant.
“I look forward to everyone hearing tracks, especially those who know all the work the kids and the arts assistants put into this. It’s the first of its kind, leading the way for more recording projects in the new year,” said Ms. Frese, class and club advisor. She also wishes to thank all the teachers who put up with any distractions this may have created, and principal Mr. Lara who supported the process all along the way.
She added, “This could only have been made possible with the support of our leadership team here and at the District, and with our VAPA director Brian Belski and our entire Board supporting the arts. We are all very grateful.”
Student vocalist, Aylihaa Plantillas, said she valued the experience to be on the EP and record in the studio too, and felt part of something special. “It felt good to do something unique like this, to use my voice, and to be heard.”
In addition to choosing and studying the music for this project, creating arrangements for their mini Christmas Carols, practicing and recording the versions of the songs, students also had to design the cover art.
Angel Gonzales designed the Club 33 1/3 logo and Jaxon Bohuslaviski developed the album art concept inspired by the iconic Beach Boys’ Christmas album of 60 years ago. IYKYK. Students used a little of their rock and roll history they learned in their dual enrollment class with Dr. Marc Riley and Ms. Frese, and then got their pals in the photo class to take their pictures. Final credits were added and edits were made by arts assistant, Marlena aka Miss Lola, before finalizing the EP.
“It’s a collection of holiday carols,” Ms. Frese explained. Instead of door-to-door singing telegrams, our arts students are producing recorded music that they sing and play on. What is cooler than that? It’s unique and all the 5 C’s are developed! Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Character & Compassion,” Ms. Frese said.
The holiday EP “Club 33 1/3 Presents…Christmas at Gilbert” will feature the following tracks and performance and production credits:
Track 1 “Feliz Navidad” ~
Isaac Santos – Guitar, Requinto, Vocals; Marco Gonzalez – Requinto, Bass, Vocals
Track 2 “Mele Kalikimaka” ~
Mahkai Johnson, Scarlet Macias, Marlena Khramov – Ukulele, Vocals
Joshua Ramirez, Ricardo Jijon, Niko Lal, Ms. Frese – Backing Vocals
Athan Smith – Guitar
Nathan Marcroft – Jingle Bells
Jaxon Bohuslavizki – Djembe, Mixed Percussion
Club 33 ⅓ soundbite – Mahkai Johnson
Track 3 “I (We) Believe In Miracles” ~
Athan Smith – Guitar
Scarlet Macias – Bass
Jaxon Bohuslavizki – Drums, Lead Vocals
Zoreimy Lopez, Jenifer Lopez – Hand Claps
Arath Ortega – Tambourine
Athan Smith, Nathan Marcroft, Jaxon Bohuslaviski, Marlena Khramov – Backing Vocals
Track 4 “Wonderful Christmas Time” ~
Aliyhaa Plantillas – Lead Vocals
Matteo Nuno – Featured Vocals
Joseph Franco – Piano, Keys, Bass
Moses Franco – Drums
Track 5 “Jingle Bells” ~
Nathan Marcroft – Piano, Keyboards
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Produced by Janelle Frese, Marlena Khramov, Josheph Franco, Moses Franco, and the Music Appreciation Club
Recorded and Engineered by Joseph Franco and Moses Franco
Recorded at Club 33 ⅓ ~ Gilbert High School, Anaheim, CA.
Album Concept by Jaxon Bohuslavizki, Design by Marlena Khramov with photos by Jyala Soto
With special thanks to the music club’s families, friends, music industry mentors and donors, Mr. Lara, Mrs. Fagu, Brian Belski and the VAPA committee, the AUHSD School Board, and the entire Gilbert High School family of teachers, students, and staff, especially everyone who loves music.
