I was laid off almost a month ago. It caught me off guard and it’s been stressful at times finding something different, especially when the cash flow becomes restricted. You start acting and applying or visiting places out of desperation but then also overthink from doing too much, leading you down this rabbit hole of indecision. After working in a live event shop for 3.5 years, I realized that type of work wasn’t for me and was already looking for other positions while there. But now, I feel this greater sense of urgency and try to force situations, leading to resistance. It’s hard to stay patient when your living situation lies in the hands of someone else. The job I had didn’t pay a lot and while I have some savings, it can only cover a month’s worth of expenses. I’ve had friends tell me they were unemployed for over two months before finding something. That’s scary. Despite this, the best I can do is remain optimistic. I once heard, “If I think I can, or I think I can’t, I’m right.” Everything is perspective and I’m trying to stay positive in a world that wants everyone to be angry and negative all the time.
I applied for a position at my alma mater (Belmont University) and in the application, they have you write an essay about how your personal values align with the school’s, advocating for a more Christ-centered community. I haven’t been sure what to post on here, but writing the paper seems like it’s worth sharing, especially given the circumstances. With that said, here’s what I wrote…
When I was growing up, there was this video game my Godfather and I played called DJ Hero, a rhythm-based musical adventure where two unlikely songs were mashed together to create something that stands completely on its own. I was around thirteen at the time and while I knew what a DJ was, I had no idea how limitless the possibilities were when it came to scratching and chopping various melodies and lyrics. We had so much fun playing it to where we eventually bought our own equipment and started doing gigs ourselves.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” Although this is a dialect everyone can understand, some songs can evoke different emotions or interpretations depending on the context in which they are heard. This is why the DJ is so crucial in today’s world; they help bridge the gap between sound and society. As an alumni of Belmont’s Audio Engineering Technology program, these same principles are applied at the university in some way. A sound engineer values integrity, having a willingness to trust other crew members in the same manner as Christ did with His disciples. He also was never afraid to ask questions and challenge those around Him, showcasing inquiry.
The best djs, engineers and people are the ones who are always in pursuit of more knowledge, able to push boundaries and innovate in ways no one else can. It is why I care so deeply about teaching others in my own life. Watching a student’s smile grow upon finally grasping a concept is something I will never get tired of and I learn more about myself in the process. As mentioned previously, Jesus did not do everything on His own without the help of those around Him. I love producing music as a hobby, but I will often get stuck on a loop or bridge, unsure of where to go next. This is where collaboration is vital amongst those you trust. It allows you to look at yourself and whatever you are making from a different perspective. Jesus did not just teach specific groups, He brought the Word around to everybody, no matter if they were rich or poor, a Gentile or Jew. Collaboration is an artform itself, giving yourself permission to express yourself differently by casting your own ego aside. It points to the last two values of humility and service.
The music industry is one of service, its goal is to simply transform any and all listeners. Psalms in the Bible are songs meant to lift God up, in the same way I am called to use my musical talents to lift others up. This is how Belmont and audio engineering have shaped my own personal values. I cannot think of a better way to share them than to give back to the very place I learned all these things from. I have been feeling unfulfilled the last three years and now is my chance to change that based on what I now know. The slogan is “Let Hope Abound” and I want to bring this hope back to myself and to the people on campus.