The fair's promotional video aimed to build connections and attract students, so it was created with a Game of Thronestheme. Ross composed the music for the spot, even though he hadn't seen the series.
“I’m not really a fan of the show; I’ve seen a couple of episodes, but that’s about it. The goal was to compose something very similar to the original, with the intention of drawing in whoever heard it,” says Ross.
So first he familiarized himself with the music, listening to it over and over again, before coming up with something new. “I listened to the original several times, identifying different sounds and figuring out which instruments were the main ones. Knowing the composition of these instruments and how they sound in the original track, I looked for synthesized sounds in virtual instruments that were similar, and I also added others that I thought would work well in the mix. In short, I borrowed elements to create a new piece, with the idea that it wouldn’t lose its essence.”
Ross was also in charge of livening up the luncheon and wrapping up the event. To that end, he was joined by Pedro Brito del Pino, another graduate of the school’s Computer Electronics Technician program, who handled the projections.
“One of the themes proposed was TV series, which I found interesting since I’ve been a fan of that kind of content since I was a child. Our performance consisted of a selection of themes from TV series, but remixed and enhanced with live drum improvisation and other sounds, such as single notes, chords, or lines spoken by characters from the shows.”
Ross has a background in technology, so his foray into music may come as a surprise; however, there are some connections.
“I believe that the profile of a tech career such as Information Technology Analyst can be linked to that of an electronic music producer, since today’s producers work with software tools and certain hardware whose operation and configuration are easier to manage if one has experience in the field.”
“On a personal level, I think the training I received during my studies helped me identify certain patterns in musical composition and work methodically, without losing sight of the abstract nature of art. This artistic sensibility also helps me as a programmer—for example, by enabling me to pay attention to small details at the same time,” he concludes.