History of the CD Project
by David Roitstein
When Charlie Haden and I began teaching at CalArts in 1982-83, one of the goals that we hoped to accomplish was to record some of the wonderful music that was being created in our program. We didn’t get an opportunity to do that until 1989-90, when Joe Smith joined the CalArts Board of Trustees.
The idea was simple – Capitol would support an annual recording project of new, original music from CalArts students. This project would be a way for Capitol to have a tremendous impact on the lives of many young, talented musicians.
Since then, we’ve recorded thirty-three albums at Capitol Studios and Evergreen Studios, and the annual recording has become an anticipated event and an established model for other projects like it around the world.
After over three decades of albums, there are now hundreds of talented CalArts graduates who have gone on to successful careers in music. We’ve had our students touring and recording with a long list of jazz masters, some wildly successful pop bands, composing music for film and television, scoring for video games, and so many other ways to make a life in music.
Over 700 young musicians, composers, and graphic designers from CalArts have had their best work documented and widely distributed. This is the way the process has worked:
All of the composers and performers at CalArts are invited to submit demo recordings of their best work to a faculty committee. The demos include an indescribably broad range of musical styles and instrumentations. The committee chooses eight compositions and bands, and there are intensive rehearsal sessions to prepare for the studio.
Each year, we have followed a budget of two days recording, which works out to about two hours in the studio per group including the set-up time (an incredible challenge by today’s standards!) Thanks to the professionalism and talent of the staff at Capitol and Evergreen, we’ve been able to complete the project within the budget every year.
These hours in the studio are an extraordinary and unforgettable experience for all of the students. They can see, feel, and hear the result of their hard work and intensive preparation, and many have told me that it was a defining moment in their lives.
Another important part of the project is the cover art and design. The graphic design program at CalArts has a similar process where students submit finished products and we choose the design. The designer that is chosen then works closely with us to complete camera-ready artwork.
The final step is mixing and mastering. We have followed a production deadline every year that would allow a release date in the second week of May, so that the album would be available for graduation. If you could see the excitement, pride, and satisfaction of everyone at the Institute when the albums are released, you would understand how important this project has become. It is a wonderful moment to watch people as they see and hear it for the first time and reminds me every year that it is well worth all of the effort to produce this project.
In 2004, CalArts held a special concert and presentation at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater, part of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles) celebrating fifteen years of the CD project. A plaque with a letter of appreciation was presented to Paula Salvatore, the Capitol Studios Director, who has played a significant role in the production of the CD project every year since the very beginning.
Then, on Saturday, April 19, 2014, we celebrated the first 25 years of the collaboration between CalArts and Capitol Records (see 25th Anniversary).
In March 2020, we were almost ready to go into the studio at Capitol when the pandemic shutdown happened. By spring of 2022, our ensembles were back in-person and sounding great, and Capitol approved us to resume our project.
The following year Capitol Studios temporarily closed for renovations, but our friends at Capitol introduced us to Vicki Giordano and Neil Portnow at the beautiful Evergreen Studios in Burbank. Evergreen has been just as magical and impactful an experience for our students as Capitol always was.
We’re so grateful for the generous support from Capitol and now Evergreen, and are happy and proud to share our music with you!
David Roitstein
Jazz Program Director
Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts
