After being friends for more than 20 years, a shared love of music and teaching can still bring Michael Ryan, Hollywood music editor and co–founder of Mad 4 Music, and Ray James, Baker University assistant professor of music, together again.

First meeting while teaching in the same California school district, the two taught together for three years, until Ryan decided to go back to school for music editing.

Ryan has since won two Golden Reel Awards, and is well known for editing music for feature films like “Spider Man-3” and “The Passion of the Christ.”

“We have remained good friends over the years,” James said. “I wanted to get him here to give students a chance to see a part of the music field they never get to see. We talk about all those different professions out there related to music, but this experience really opens students’ eyes.”

It took four months of messaging about sound-files and different musical scores to prepare a three-night event of lectures and demonstrations for Ryan’s arrival.

“I went to a lot of classes to give an introduction to what music editors do,” Ryan said. “Then we laid out each night to teach a different aspect of film music. We offered a conducting opportunity to challenge students to conduct a small ensemble to an actual picture film.”

Other nights included a silent film presentation, with Baker piano majors performing music along with films, and a gala concert featuring the department of music and theater.

Senior Ali Watson enjoys the chance to sing music from films and cartoons and appreciates learning what more the music world has to offer.

“Since we do not do the Artist and Lecture Series, this is great we are bringing in people with real-world experience,” Watson said. “With shows like this, it is even greater to actually be singing the music in the presence of its artist. It is very fulfilling.”

Coming to Baldwin City with the hopes of leaving students with new ideas of what a career in music has to offer, Ryan feels the event went well and students were able to learn a lot from it.

“It has been great having the opportunity to teach to the students here,” Ryan said. “Mr. James wanted to expose his students to what else is out there, and I see this as my way of giving back, like I am paying it forward.”