CAS Project: 3 Sig Figs

As part of this CAS project, two of my classmates and I are recording different songs and uploading them online. The focus of this project is to experiment with different musical elements and to create our own unique sound which will hopefully help us gain subscribers and popularity online. Specifically, my role in the group is the lead vocalist. This means that I must practice our chosen songs prior to recording sessions to understand the lyrics and flow as well as knowing the musical elements present so that the recording session goes smoothly. Before we even start recording anything, we also have to investigate suitable songs to cover. Some criteria we consider are that it matches my vocal range and capabilities, the song’s popularity, its interest to different groups online and our own personal interest. This allows us to decide which instruments would best match the song in addition to changing the tempo and other musical elements of the song as fit. This entire process requires us to use the skills of working collaboratively to produce a result that we are all satisfied with. We also recognize the benefits of working collaboratively, including: the ability to constantly improve, an increase in possibilities to learn from each other, and continued engagement in the project (we don’t get bored or lazy to the point where progress stops completely). We also recognize our different strengths and find ways to develop different areas for growth. For example, since I have a background in singing, I understand the different types of voices and how they can be used (falsetto, head voice and chest voice). What this means is that I know which one needs to be applied to a specific song and in what parts while my other group members may not be aware of this. As such, I am able to tell them what voice I can use (specific to my vocal range and capabilities) and they can adapt the song as necessary (changing the key or octave, perhaps).

One seminal aspect of a CAS project is that it is student-led and student-initiated. This means that we must demonstrate how to initiate and plan. As I mentioned previously, we have established our own process of going from the “investigation” phase of the CAS project to the “demonstration” phase. After finding a suitable song, we move on to the “action” phase, which is when we actually record the cover. Sometimes, we may come across challenges that force us to make changes to our predetermined plan. An example of this is when we were recording the song Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men: it is originally a duet but since our guest singer was not present at the time of recording, we had to improvise and I ended up singing both parts. While this was certainly unexpected, the final product turned up sounding good and the audio quality is quite possibly the best out of all the songs we have recorded so far.

Looking ahead, we are currently in the middle of a rebranding process as the launch of our YouTube channel last year was poorly planned and executed. The rebranding will include an entirely new look and style for the channel and our group as a whole to something that is easily discernible instead of a mix of ideas that turn out to be an unorganized mess. We have completed the planning process of this through extensive discussions and with the help of a mind map (see attached) so we should be more ready this time when we put the plan into motion. Since we are finished with the planning process, we have since moved on to the “action” phase, which requires us to actually design our group’s new visuals and re-upload the videos we posted last year (because they don’t currently match with our group’s new image). As of now, I’m looking forward to re-recording and improving what we uploaded last year and recording new songs with the group again this year.

Human systems and economic activities	The study of how and why people construct organizations and systems; the ways in which people connect locally and globally; the distribution of power and authority.
Social organization and culture	The study of people, communities, cultures and societies in the ways in which individuals, groups and societies interact with each other.
Continuity and change through time	The study of the relationships between people and events through time; the past, its influences on the present and its implications for the future; people who have shaped the future through their actions.
Human and natural environments	The study of the distinctive features that give a place its identity; how people adapt to and alter their environment; how people experience and represent place; the impact of natural disasters on people and the built environment.
Resources and the environment	The interaction between people and the environment; the study of how humans allocate and manage resources; the positive and negative effects of this management; the impact of scientific and technological developments on the environment.

Living things	The study of the characteristics, systems and behaviours of humans and other animals, and of plants; the interactions and relationships between and among them, and with their environment.
Earth and space	The study of planet Earth and its position in the universe, particularly its relationship with the sun; the natural phenomena and systems that shape the planet and the distinctive features that identify it; the infinite and finite resources of the planet.
Materials and matter	The study of the properties, behaviours and uses of materials, both natural and human-made; the origins of human-made materials and how they are manipulated to suit a purpose.
Forces and energy	The study of energy, its origins, storage and transfer, and the work it can do; the study of forces; the application of scientific understanding through inventions and machines. (IBO, 2009)

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