Belmont Launches Belmont Tracks Video Concert Series

Production to showcase intimate sets performed by student artists 

Constantly brimming with student talent, Belmont will soon take to a new medium to showcase its wealth of artistry on campus with the launch of its new YouTube channel, "Belmont Tracks." Modeled after NPR's renowned “Tiny Desk” series, the "Belmont Tracks" series will feature intimate and authentic performances of talented student artists in a fresh and engaging way.  

Launching Thursday, Dec. 14, the first season of "Belmont Tracks" promises 12 episodes of current student musicians performing in the University's own Gallery of Iconic Guitars (The GIG) on campus. The series will release a new episode every two weeks, with bonus content and interviews also planned for release along the way. 

Belmont Videographer Noah Hanson, alumnus (‘19), spearheaded the concept for "Belmont Tracks" and directed the tapings. As a motion pictures student, Hanson and his friends started an acoustic live session YouTube channel called The Belmont Tapes that featured student artists at the time. When Hanson returned to Belmont as a full-time staff member, he dreamt of bringing the idea back to life in an official capacity. Thankfully, he found it very easy to get people on board, and "Belmont Tracks" was born.  

“It seemed like a huge opportunity for Belmont at the intersection of music and entertainment and marketing, and I wanted to involve students in it because I’ve always loved teaching and helping students,” Hanson explained. “We have so much raw talent both behind the camera on the production side, and in the student artists who write amazing original music.” 

The first season will include performances by students from both the Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business and the College of Music and Performing Arts: Arden Snead, Elli Rowe, Emma Ogier, Hana Eid, Sheldon Smith and Gabby Meyers. Each artist recorded two songs to be released one at a time, providing a glimpse into their musical journey and style. 

Senior songwriting major Arden Snead, the first featured performer, shared her gratitude for the chance to share her songs in the creative and supportive space fostered by the "Belmont Tracks" team.  

"My hope for this project is that it can shed some light on Belmont artists, songwriters or musicians who haven't had a chance to necessarily be in the spotlight yet,” she said. “Sharing and hearing stories from multiple perspectives and walks of life is vital, not only as young adults, but as people continuing their journey in the music industry. I would love for this project to showcase the 'quiet genius' talents we have yet to hear!”

Senior commercial voice major Sheldon Smith added that his experience with Belmont Tracks was creatively fulfilling in that he was given unlimited space to express himself unabashedly and his art authentically.

"My hope and vision for this project is for viewers to see that music, even at the most minimum degree, is powerful and transformative," he explained. "These videos are either acoustic or stripped band sets, and they perfectly display how huge productions and gimmicks are unnecessary to compel listeners. Sometimes all it takes is a story and a guitar to impact someone."

Beyond the spotlight on the performers, "Belmont Tracks" would not have been possible without the talented behind-the-scenes crew of Belmont students responsible for the visual and technical aspects of the series. When Hanson initially had the idea, he connected with Professor of Media Studies Rick Bengtson and Assistant Professor of Audio Engineering Dr. Doyuen Ko who quickly agreed to involve their students in the production. 

Audio was recorded by Ko’s Fall 2023 Remote Recording class in Belmont’s Audio Engineering Technology Department and mixed and mastered by George Lawson. The video was recorded by Bengtson’s Fall 2023 Event Video Production class in Belmont’s Department of Media and Entertainment and edited by Nick Schramkowski.  

“So we had a full crew of 25+ students working on this project together, with multiple student producers. It was just incredible to see all the students, faculty and staff come together around the project to pull it off,” Hanson beamed. “Our student producers found the artists, and we created the first Belmont Tracks media day – a full 10-hour day of filming all these sets. I’m so thrilled to be a little piece of making it all happen.” 

Junior Maddie Lucy, a media production major who worked behind the scenes as a co-producer, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the project – giving her the chance to work with Belmont’s marketing department, co-producer Kenna Salvant and many classmates.  

"I hope that viewers not only get to see and hear amazing music from our talented artists, but that they also see the amazing opportunities that students can be a part of as an artist or behind the scenes,” Lucy commented. “This project allowed me real hands-on experience with planning and producing a live in studio production – an opportunity that is very unique to Belmont I feel. As someone who wants to produce projects like this, it gave me a glimpse as to what I could expect and helped me to further my skills in studio production." 

"Belmont Tracks" is set to become a valuable addition to the University's vibrant musical assets, fostering a connection between artists and their audience while showcasing the talent incubating within Belmont's community. 

Music enthusiasts and supporters alike can subscribe to the channel to follow along with the series’ first season, with the assurance of discovering the next wave of emerging artists at Belmont.