SWARM and Esports Make Beautiful Music Together

During the 2026 spring term, Shenandoah Esports and the student-run record label SWARM Music Group did something new: they partnered to host an Esports Composition Competition that challenged students to create a unique anthem for Shenandoah Esports broadcast and media content. 

Collaborative Audio Arts student Ra’Son Johnson ’29 took home the top prize with their piece, “Power to the Player,” and aside from having her work featured in Shenandoah Esports media, she also received a custom Shenandoah Esports jersey for the win. 

A new challenge

“I decided to participate in the contest because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. Most of my previous work had centered around orchestra-based compositions, and I was eager to challenge myself by exploring new forms and styles,” Johnson said.

This contest felt like the perfect opportunity to try writing a piece that wasn’t built around an orchestra, allowing me to grow creatively and discover new aspects of my musical voice.”

Ra’Son Johnson ’29 | Collaborative Audio Arts

However, composing the music didn’t come easily. “When I first started working on my piece, I honestly didn’t know what I was doing,” Johnson said. “I had never created anything like this before, so I called my mother for advice. She reminded me of how she and my father used to watch WWE when I was younger, and how the wrestlers had dramatic intros when they walked out. That idea immediately clicked with me. I realized my piece needed to have that same energy, something that would amp up not just the player, but the entire audience as well.”

Music isn’t just sound or instruments being played; it’s a story being told.”

Ra’Son Johnson ’29 | Collaborative Audio Arts

Options for the future

Johnson hopes to become a composer for movies and video games, and chose Shenandoah’s Collaborative Audio Arts program to learn audio recording, which is an invaluable skill in the world she plans to enter. “The Bachelor of Arts in Collaborative Audio Arts at Shenandoah really stood out to me because the curriculum is designed for students who want to combine their passion for creative expression with different areas of knowledge to be more creative, flexible, and prepared for real-world projects.”