Ruby Santiago’s Music and Art Showcase “Breathe” 2019 Senior Capstone Project
Tiffin University 28th, April 2019
Table of Contents
I. Showcase Rational II. Preparation A. Initial Set List & Plan B. Collaborations C. Tiffin University Assistance/Approvals III. How I Effectively Managed Musicians, Musical Rehearsals and Artists A. Weekly Schedule B. Strengths and Weaknesses IV. Sound/Stage Setup V. Course Application VI. Marketing VII. The Final Set List and Script A. Silent Auction & Raffles B. T-Shirts, Coffee, Food VIII. Fundraising A. Silent Auction & Raffles B. Donation 1. Morrison House 2. Family of Faith 3. Overflow 4. Calvary Chapel Tiffin IX. Closing Overall Reflection
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Chapter 1: Showcase Rational
As for myself, Ruby Marie Santiago, music has always been an inspiration. From the first day I could ever remember, my grandfather was teaching me how to sing Spanish tradition-gospel songs. I grew up learning how to match pitch with him and my grandmother. Fun fact, my grandfather has always been into music ever since he was a young boy. My welo (which is short for Abuelo), used to sing in the town squares of Puerto Rico when he was nine years old. He used to write his own music with family and friends for fun or just sing covers for actual concerts. He was the second oldest brother of fourteen other brothers and sisters. As you continue to read through this paper you will get to learn that one of my original songs is about my grandfather's history and what were struggles he endured moving to the United States from Puerto Rico.
My grandfather is the reason for my passion for music. The inspiration for this artistic showcase came from chasing a dream in Los Angeles. After being shut down and turned away by several agents and producers after a performance showcase in Orlando, Florida I thought maybe it was time to give up on the arts and give up on music. On the last day of my Orlando showcase experience, I was offered a second opportunity in Los Angeles. On my way to Los Angeles, I traveled alone this time taking with me the knowledge I learned from the first time.
During my lone travel to Los Angeles, I had a dream that impacted what the next five months were going to look like for me. I dreamed that I was in the airplane on my way to L.A. and for a moment in my dream my spirit raised from my physical body and I could see the people around me along with my body in gloomy lens, dark blue lens. Everyone else seemed almost dead or asleep and the only thing that was alive was spirit and the sound of my voice singing Tori Kelly’s song “Psalms 42” at the top of my voice, sounding as pure as an angel.
In the middle of my singing and praising, I found myself stop to think if I was disturbing the other people around and if they could hear me. After a self-reflection, I realize my praise was between my God and I. I came to understand that the only opinion I needed to worry about was my God’s opinion. I was already singing and using my gift in the way the Lord wanted me to but also I was worrying about what other people were thinking.
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When I awoke from this dream I came to realize that for the longest I was hiding my voice behind the opinion of others. On the plan, I did some research on the lyrics to Tori Kelly’s tune and began to read Psalm 42 in depth. From my interpretation of the scripture and the lyrics, I concluded that the scripture was talking about how easy it is to lose faith when life gets tough and how important it is to continue to press in, how important it is to continue to praise the Lord even during the struggle because that is when you will be able to see the greatest miracles and blessings. During the storm, the importance of breathing, maintaining a calm spirit and using what the Lord gave you to find that peace. Recently, within the 2018 year, I had experienced anxiety and some depressive states that pulled me way under. I was leaning on my own understanding rather than giving it to the God who already knew what was going to happen to me before it happened (Psalm 139). This Breathe project was my journey to letting go of what I did not understand. This was a journey of allowing God to take full control, allowing God to take the wheel of my life and allowing him to be my breath in my lungs after I thought anxiety had taken the last of it from me (Genesis 2:7, Job 33:4). Through this experience, I have learned that through faith, it is well.
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Chapter 2: Preparation
Preparing for this show was simpler than what everyone had thought it would be. I am blessed with friends and family who not only want to see me succeed in my project but who also wanted to help spread a great message of positivity and love on Tiffin’s campus. The original project synopsis was to put on an impactful project/concert for my senior capstone. I wanted to have my album released that day, and a performance where 50% of CD, donations, and raffle proceeds went to a local homeless shelter in Tiffin and the other percentage went to the other ministries I had been involved in throughout my time at Tiffin. The music that I had planned to go with was all inspired by faith, were encouraging, and spirit-lifting. The included genres for the show consisted of a mixture of hip-hop, reggae, R&B, indie and gospel. The plan was to insert spoken word, dance, a small gospel choir, a band, horn players, and as well as to include other outside opening artists and artwork. The idea was not to only showcase my music but to bring light on other great talent and collaborations under one themed inspiration through the art and music we so passionately love.
Date and Time:
The project date was originally set out for April 14th, 2019 but several conflicts forced the event to be moved later to April 28th, 2019. The show was on a Sunday and scheduled from 4PM-6PM.
Overall Production Theme:
Love for all Breath of Life Self-Reflection Self-worth Sense of Peace
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Theme continued... “The current topic for the show is breathing! Essentially it’s the understanding that we all are human, we all come from beautiful unique backgrounds and we all deal with things differently. Sometimes we can allow the world to consume us to where we feel drained and suffocated, unable to breathe. Although the simplest, yet the most consistent thing we forget to pay attention to is our breath (God) that is always there and has the ability to calm an anxiety attack, relax a crying spirit and so much more. It’s taking the dark things of life, switching the perspective through a simple breath, seeing the light. It’s being made new through Christ.” -Ruby Santiago
Initial Set List & Collaborations Openers: Young Enrique, MayoTribs, Tyre, Daniel Drockton
First Act (“I Can’t Help It” only until 1 minute with * Thank yous stunt and cheer girls) * Silent auction 1. Masterpiece (Keithen) (Big Band) * 50/50 2. Attention (Big band) * Snacks 3. Impact (el vive) -Band * Album/photo booth 4. Made for Now (Dance) * Trevor’s Art 5. Keep moving (Ronnie) 6. Hold your hand (Mitch) Second Act 7. Secrets (Dance) 14. Spoken word “Breathe” (Maurice) 8. After the Storm -> this would transition to 15. Breathe poem 16. Altar (self piano-Ronnie) (acoustic set) 9. Spoken word Rhi * ARTS Experience (background piano) 10. Human (Ronnie) 17. Psalm 42 (self piano) (Acoustic set on 12. Broken (Payton) Sarah on guitar) 13. Worth it (dance) -Jordan 18. Cycles (Chain breaking zip-tie activity) 17. It is well (Choir) ((Intermission)) 18. Don’t you worry ‘bout a thang (big band) Outro
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Collaborations
TU Art Team
For this being my last show, I wanted it to be filled with so much love and art. I contact the Tiffin University Art Team whom were a huge help. They assisted in the painted table centerpieces, setting up the environment in the “Breathe Room” which we will get into what that is later in this reading. Art Team also assisted in the lighting for the show.
TU Voluntary Choir and Band Members
Opening up my show to anyone in the music department was the biggest blessing because I was not forcing anyone of my participants to be there, it was only if they wanted to be there which is what made the show authentic. I had choir and band members assisting in the small choir, assisting with concert production, with dances, spoken word, in the band, stage setup, and in promotion, donation and support.
Featured Musician Daniel Drockton (D-Droc) Daniel Drockton is a rapper/singer also known as D-Droc. He graduated from Tiffin University with a Professional Music and Arts Administration double major degree. D-Droc was a member of Up in the Air and the first hip-hop group Mode III. Being at Tiffin gave Daniel the opportunity to meet me. Together, Daniel and I have opened up for Aaron Carter. Daniel has since then also performed at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and has also released his first music video for his original song “Caution.” Currently he is working on his next project that he wishes to keep a secret until his release date gets closer. As of now you can reach D-Droc on YouTube, Sound Cloud, and Band camp for his music.
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Featured Musician Mitchel Madak Mitchel Madak is a self-taught singer, songwriter, and music producer from Strongsville, Ohio. He has produced countless songs for not only himself but local Cleveland artist as well. He has opened for artists as big as Aaron Carter and Drake Bell. His music is his medicine. It’s also his dream to heal the world with that same music. Mitchel and I first met at Strongsville High School in our show choir and have been making music and singer together since.
Featured Musician Tyre RaShaun Tyre RaShaun is a singer, songwriter, and producer from the city of Dayton, Ohio. He has a strong passion for music and singing since a very young age. As well as singing, Tyre is also a very talented pianist and dancer. You can find his music on YouTube. His EP will be released on June 23rd on all streaming platforms, on that same date he will be performing his entire EP at Skully’s in Columbus, Ohio. Tyre and I met during our first year at Tiffin University during university choir.
Featured Musician Jules Eckroth Jules Eckroth is a singer, beatboxer, songwriter, live-looper, and multi-instrumentalist from Johnstown, PA, currently living here in Tiffin. A former TU student, Jules has performed alongside me in several of the many performing groups and small ensembles on campus, as well as accompanied Daniel Drockton and me when we opened for Aaron Carter in Cleveland. Jules has also been performing around the country wearing a mask and the pseudonym [stagename], presenting original songs and arrangements as a one-person a’capella/dj/superhero act. Whether playing for clubs, bars, comic book shops, or loopstation competitions, Jules has a passion for the people and events around them and always hopes that can be heard in their music.
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Featured Artist Trevor Mancuso Beginning artist, Trevor Mancuso was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. He received his BFA at the University of Cincinnati through the DAAP program. His focus is drawing and painting with a greater concentration in illustration and graphic arts. During his college studies he was exposed to a wide variety of mediums and styles such as life drawing, oil and acrylic painting, silk screen printing, sculpture, 2D and 3D animation, and character design. In his last semester at DAAP Trevor created gruesome and uncanny amorphous forms in his Dis-Un-Comfort-Able-Ness series. His objective for this series was to create a sense of discomfort within the viewer, craving that they feel the same sense of awkwardness he feels everyday. These blobs directed Trevor to his current works in which he brings forth the same themes and concepts. This current work, however, shows the progression of dealing with these uncomfortable feelings and displaying them in a manner that feels most authentic of himself. Outside of drawing and painting Trevor is currently working as a contract graphic designer for apparel company, University Tees, located in Lakewood, OH. He is responsible for creating T-shirt designs using Adobe Illustrator for clients based on order requests. He also as an ongoing freelance graphic design position for Stones Lanes Bowling alley in Cincinnati, OH where he is responsible for creating flyers for upcoming events. Trevor and I first met at Strongsville High School by a mutual friend and have been close since.
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Featured Poet Maurice Chatman Maurice Chatman is a graduate from Tiffin University who studied Managerial Studies with a minor in marketingt. He is a holistic health coach for M.O.E.E. Fitness and you can see his work on Instagram as well as reflected on my own personal fitness journey in my latest 3 years at Tiffin University. Maurice is a natural speaker, motivator, poet, rapper, and he can sing. For this Artistic Showcase, Maurice Chatman performed an original piece called “Breathe.”
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“Breathe” Event Layout:
Marion Center th April 28 , 2019
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Chapter 3: How I Effectively Managed Musicians, Musical Rehearsals and Artists
From the end of January, there were several different rehearsals going on at one time. Typical weekly rehearsals looked like:
Monday:
2PM- Recording with Collaborative Artist
5PM- Dance Rehearsal
8PM-Piano Rehearsal
Tuesday:
12:30PM- Small Vocal Group Rehearsal
5:30PM- Dance Rehearsal
8PM- Recording
Wednesday:
11AM- Choir Rehearsal
1:30PM- Choir Rehearsal
5:30PM- Dance Rehearsal
Thursday:
Break
5:30PM-Dance Rehearsal
Friday:
12:30PM- Small Vocal Group Rehearsal
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“Breathe” Tech Week
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Strengths and Struggles: Working with the Crew
Working with your peers can be difficult. More than 95% of the individuals who I worked with were Tiffin University students. I was working with small number of students whom we my age but a majority of my help cam from students who were younger in age. I had freshmen, sophomores and juniors, and none were seniors.
At the beginning, I had high hope and expectations for my crew. Within the first week, and I lowered them substantially after the first week. I had a large number of volunteers to help me with my choir, nearly 20 individuals signed up for the choir. Great, you might think. Now, the choir selection of my show came out rather well, but it was difficult to get everyone together for rehearsals at the same times. About half of those who signed up dropped out last minute, leaving the quality and volume of our choir unbalanced. I was able to work with some last minute individuals to join in and fatten up our sound, as well as have a keyboardist playing the chords in the background. Everyone who was in the choir near the end, came prepared and worked hard which was a major strength in working with them.
For my small vocal group, as well as dancers there were positive strengths and just a few struggles. As a group our strengths came from dedication, inspiration, and the testimony of each member in my crew had. The struggles were minor, and consisted of only ability to rehearse at specific times or the amount of songs that were being performed in which memorization played a struggle factor.
As for my band members, they were ready, well prepared, and carried a positive attitude throughout the entire production. Each one was professional and committed. I was able to have mostly everyone present at each rehearsal. Any struggles we had were small and easily fixed.
The individuals that opened up or performed during the show were also great to work with. They selected their original music that tied in perfectly with my show. In my personal opinion, the struggles here came only from performance confirmations and lack of enough rehearsal time with the other collaborators.
I was able to use the management skills, group work facilitation, musical knowledge that I learned taking the Tiffin University courses such as musicianship, the rhythms Section course, music appreciation, management of organizational behavior, event marketing and management, as well a human resource management and leadership courses.
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Chapter 4: Sound, Stage Setup, & Breathe Room
th On the night of April 26 , 2019 after the Choir and Band concert, Tiffin University’s Concert Production Team had a fast tear down. As they moved chairs, tables and sound equipment out, I moved the stage in and began to set it up with a few Tiffin University students. We set up twelve riser platforms, we had two rows of 6 platforms creating a large rectangular staged platform.
On the stage, I had a full drum set, auxiliary percussion, a bass amplifier, guitar amplifier, Korg keyboard, cajon (box drum), 5 monitors, 8 mic stands, 8 microphones, a snake, 5 power strips, 5 extension cables all in which led back to the mixer and 2 receivers boxes filled with 8 receiver smaller boxes in the back of the room. On stage there was also a looper, keytar, bass, guitar and 6 music stands.
th Sound and finalized stage set up was taken care of on Saturday, April 27 , 2019. I connected the mixer to the Marion house mains so that the full sound came from the house and I was able to get a nice sound in the monitors for the performers on stage.
Having been involved in a number of different styles of musical touring ensembles within the Tiffin University Music Department, I have learned how to set up an entire stage from top to bottom with only minor assistance. Through the required course of sound and recording technology, I was able to learn how to assist with rehearsal and show sound setups. With the knowledge gained within that course, I was able to know how much equipment I was going to need, and how to best EQ my vocalists and musicians for the show. I was able to have a few individuals around during the actual performance assisting with volume, and with frequency levels.
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Breathe Room
Within the Breathe room, I was assisted by artist Trevor Mancuso, and the member of Tiffin University’s Art Team. This amazing crew assisted with providing ideas to better enhance the room’s experience. As observed in the photo below, you are able to see the visual impact the room had, within the actual room there was a white noise machine, chocolate, a location where you could leave your insecurities, and throughout the room there was an oil diffuser dispensing stress relief and lavender scents. This room almost did not happen due to shortage of supplies and funds towards the end, with the creative art team and Trevor, we were able to put our minds together making it cost efficient and a beautiful room.
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Chapter 5: Course Application
Throughout this paper, you may have already observed some of my course application to this showcase. Here is the fully organized Music Business Seminar MUS 427 Arts Administration Senior Development Worksheet outline.
General Description of Proposed Project:
Purpose is to create a form to section, performances by dancers, singer-songwriters, and poets. The hope is to create awareness, have a new standing on the side, and depression. Donations will be accepted. Good coffee and tea would be provided. The money raised for this event will be donated to the local Tiffin -Morrison House Shelter, and to the local ministries.
Element 1: Music Business Music Business courses that serve as foundation for this element: MUS 327 -Music Business
Description: This is where I was able to set up the life performances, organize will be performing, and for me, how I can legally perform covers without being sued. From understand my music business class, I have come to understand that I can perform covers as long as the admission is free.
Goals: solidify music, configure musicians and singers, book the event location, communicate with event services and AVI food services to be approved for donated items.
Anticipated scope, relative to entire project: 30%
Total time: approximately 45 hours
Element 2: Marketing and Networking Non-Music courses that served as foundation for this element: Introduction to Marketing, Marketing and Management, and Global Marketing.
Description: This is how I plan to come out, Mark at the show. The show list, and the floors even, making sure to have emergency exits and plans (at my event I had security in and out of the event to make sure the event was safe).
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Goals: Promotion, Video Editing, Flyers, Networking
Anticipated scope, relative to entire project: 20%
Total time: 35 hours
Element 3: Group Management Non-Music courses that served as foundation for this element: Introduction to Management, and Management of Organizational Behaviors.
Description: This is how I will manage my musicians, and how I will work on organizing and arranging their music and rehearsals.
Goals: Effective rehearsals, and group communication.
Anticipated scope, relative to entire project: 25%
Total time: approximately 30 hours
Element 4: Music preparation and sound set up Music courses that serve as a foundation for this element: Live Sound and Recording class, private music instruction in songwriting, voice, piano and bass.
Description: This is the element in which I used my knowledge gained from the above courses to learn how to effectively set up live sound and a stage set up. This is where I also learned how to arrange and write my original music.
Goals: Arrangements, Songwriting, Vocal Harmonization, and Sound Set Up
Anticipated scope, relative to entire project: 25%
Total time: approximately 55 hours
*Total Project Hours: approximately 165
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Chapter 6: Marketing
Join the singer-songwriter, motivational speaker and poet Ruby Santiago for her Senior Project at Tiffin University. She is joined alongside a variety of different artists with different talents and backgrounds under one roof to create an experience like no other. There is no entrance fee, donations are accepted.
Proceeds from this event will go to the Morrison House in Tiffin, as well as to Overflow ministries, Calvary Chapel Tiffin and the Family of Faith Lutheran Church in town. http://themorrisonhouse.org/website/ http://overflow.cggc.org/ https://www.familyoffaithchurch.org/
RSVP on Facebook as soon as you can so we can make sure to have enough snack and beverage! Any questions contact [email protected] Video Promotions:
● Collect a variety of artists and individuals in the show who are interested in creating a video to promote for the show on social media
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Chapter 7: Fundraising
Silent Auction: ● Basket Count (15) o Candle & Tea Basket o Gift cards o Tiffin University Mugs ● Print silent auction forms ● Money collection & monitor baskets during event ● $100 cash slush to begin event, as change ● Winners announced at the conclusion of the event
50/50: ● Red Tickets ● Bucket for claimed tickets ● $1.00 per ticket or 6 tickets for $5.00 ● Winner announced at the conclusion of the event (must be present to win)
Final Count Donation
Final money count: $595 (round up) = $600
Morrison House: $300
Overflow: $100
Calvary: $100
Family of Faith: $100
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Chapter 8: Final Set List and Script
Final Show Setlist: Openers: Keithen D-Droc Tyre
First Act 1. Masterpiece-Tori Kelly 2. El Vive-OG 3. Made for Now (Dance) 4. Family of Faith 5. Isaac’s Testimony (Just Be Held-Casting Crowns) 6. Who Will Be- DDroc OG 7. Calvary Chapel Tiffin 8. After the Storm -> this would transition to poem* 9. Spoken word Rhi 10. Human-OG 11. Life’s Not Easy- Tyre 12. Overflow 13. Tatyanna’s Testimony 14. Secrets (Dance) 15. Hold your hand- Mitch OG 16. The Flower in The Gun
((Intermission))
Second Act
17. Spoken word “Breathe” (Maurice) 18. Breathe-OG 19. Psalm 42- Tori Kelly 20. Testimony 21. Cycles (Chain breaking activity) 22. It is well-Tori Kelly (Choir) 23. Auction winners and thanks goodbyes 24. Don’t you worry ‘bout a thang
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Chapter 9: “Breathe” Overall Reflection
The artistic showcase that has been the talk on campus for the past two weeks, "Just Breathe” came from a passionate dream. It was never believed to have been achieved successfully. From the beginning, many people doubted the success of the show because there were so many different pieces within the show coming together that no one had ever seen.
The planned artistic showcase was a beautiful combination of everything I have done and have been a part open campus. I was able to incorporate dance into my showcase, which is what I had never had the opportunity to join but always had a passion for growing up. I incorporated spoken word into my show to add a different element and texture to the show. There were no programs so every act was a surprise which added to the ambiance of the show.
I was able to include different genres of music such as reggae, latin, pop, contemporary, gospel and hip-hop. These genres are a mixture of the styles that I grew up listening to and have been seen in the music I write.
I originally planned more for the audience to have such as take home programs, take home bags, a carpet the breathe room, comfy chairs that would be in the breathe room and I even thought about having a three-course meal. Due to time and funding I was not able to get the rest of these items together. However, with everything going on I was receiving great feedback from the guests in the audience that they did not realize anything was missing, and everything felt complete. I felt as though the showcase went well, the music was great, the ambiance of the room was great, the breathe room is beautiful, and that they enjoy their time. The only piece of recommendation I have been given was to keep better track of the time and if it’s going to be three hours let the guests know ahead of time. Many guest however did not realize how quickly time is flying by because of how much they enjoyed all the different acts going on.
Throughout this experience, I have learned the importance of organization, active listening, time management, arranging original music, working with a band and horns, conducting a choir, using my resources to market the best way possible, how to coordinate a show, how to communicate for donations and promotions, self-preservation through the frustration and most importantly how to bring together an amazing show using positivity, talent, and passion. “Breathe” has inspired me to look into setting up a second showcase in the future because of how successful this year was. This show was something I will never forget!
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