Students in the MIS-4 Digital Audio Production II class at Norco College spent the spring semester collaborating on an exciting creative project, composing original music for the independent short film SOL. What began as a classroom assignment evolved into a hands-on professional experience that allowed participants to contribute directly to the emotional and artistic storytelling of a real cinematic production.
The SOL project began through a collaboration between MÜBARK and Educate to Empower, organizations focused on uplifting historically marginalized communities through storytelling, film, and community-building events. Together, they sought to create authentic opportunities for young creatives to see themselves reflected in media while expanding the story of America by placing local communities at the center of meaningful narratives.
Their vision for SOL created a unique opportunity to bring together film, music, and emerging artistic talent in a meaningful and collaborative way. Throughout the semester, participants stepped into the roles of composers, producers, engineers, and collaborators while learning how music shapes mood, atmosphere, and narrative on screen. The experience provided an authentic production environment that encouraged creativity, communication, problem-solving, and artistic risk-taking while giving the class valuable insight into the world of film scoring and audio production.
Those involved in the project were also encouraged to reflect on the film’s central themes of mental health, identity, and culture, creating opportunities to connect personal experiences to broader social issues while building community among peers.
Many of the original compositions became part of the film’s official soundtrack, while additional tracks will be featured on the upcoming companion album, SOL: Music From and Inspired by the Short Film. The release highlights the creativity and talent of Norco College artists and marks another milestone for the college’s music and audio production programs.
Projects like SOL continue to showcase the power of experiential learning at Norco College, where students have opportunities to create meaningful work that extends beyond the classroom and into the professional world.