Christopher Williams Checks In With FAC

Dear Dr. Robinson:

My group, Hour Negative, has about another month and a half to two months of recording for our debut album "Top Dead Center". So, while they're finishing their studio parts, I am playing and recording for a few musicians around Greenville.

I'm about to begin working with a local artist by the name of Josh Montgomery. He's young but he's a good songwriter and a very strong guitarist. I will also be recording some sessions for friends of mine  by the name of the Chase Mantooth band. I've been asked to do some playing with a female singer by the name of Mandi Leachman, although that might not come through, seeing as she's still in the studio with her session band.  I've recently done some recording with a few heavy metal acts as well, mainly a group called Vadim Von  and my former band, Meatcurtain.  Things are finally looking up in my musical world with all of the recent events, connections, and playing inquiries.

I drove past the old FAC the other day and had some flash backs to my high school years. I began to think about all of the performances I'd done and everything I've learned that will guide me through my life and career. I realised that the vast majority of these life experiences were learned at the Fine Arts Center. I learned so much at the FAC, not just about drumming, but in the different cultures of the world.  I walked through the doors of the FAC my sophomore year as a young mind that was focused on one area of drumming and only drumming. I walked out of the fac my senior year as a musician, a well rounded character with the ability to read musical scores, understand the compositional thought process of some of the greats (the "dead white guys"). I went from only knowing rock drumming to playing to such greats as Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubek, The Brecker Brothers, John Coltraine, Miles Davis, Freddy King, Charles Mingus, and many, many more.  I learned what life truly is; Art. I was able to train my voice and understand harmonies. I became a well rounded symphonic percussionist. I had the ability to study under some of America's greatest teachers in an environment where young minds could be sculpted into intelligent young creators of things that most could only dream of doing. I was truly blessed when given the opportunity to study at such a school and shall forever be greatful to those whom have tought and inspired me to be everything I can.
From the bottom of my heart, I humbly thank you all.

Yours in music,
Christopher Williams