Travis Calvin, a senior music industry studies major from Clarksdale, recently attended the 131st convention of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) as a representative of the Delta Music Institute at Delta State University. The convention was held October 20-23 at the Javits Center in midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York.
Calvin, who was valedictorian at Coahoma Community College before enrolling at Delta State, attended three days of panels and workshops on audio topics, including “Platinum Engineers,” “Ear Training for the Aspiring Audio Professional,” and a Grammy Soundtable with industry legends Phil Ramone, whose technical innovations include optical surround sound for movies, and Chris Lord-Alge, who gained notoriety for his mixing on James Brown’s hit song "Living In America and 12" remixes of the Bruce Springsteen’s "Dancing in the Dark", "Cover Me", and "Born in the U.S.A."
“It was amazing to have this kind of opportunity to compare my audio skills with those of my peers in such a prestigious and professional setting,” says Calvin.
As an alumnus of the Berklee College of Music summer program, Calvin received a special invitation during the conference to an industry showcase of student talent at the historic Bowery Poetry Club.
The Audio Engineering Society is the only professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology. Founded in the United States in 1948, the AES has grown to become an international organization that unites audio engineers, creative artists, scientists and students worldwide by promoting advances in audio and disseminating new knowledge and research. Currently, over 14,000 members are affiliated with more than 75 AES professional sections and more than 95 AES student sections around the world. The Delta Music Institute is in the process of establishing an AES chapter for interested Delta State University audio students.
The Delta Music Institute is an independent center of study under the College of Arts & Sciences at Delta State University, offering a B.S. degree in Music Industry Studies. The focus of the DMI is to provide students with a broad and thorough education in the technological, creative, and business areas of the music and entertainment industry. For information, contact (662) 846-4579 or visit http://dmi.deltastate.edu.
