The extensive renovations to the Comm-untions/Music Complex, while anticipated eagerly by some students, are not yet completed, coordinator of music industry studies John Snyder said.
The changes represent a total of $700,000 in funding: $500,000 in physical renovations and $200,000 in new technology and equipment for students. These funds come primarily from a grant of $450,000, Snyder reported, as well as a 40 percent state tax credit. The new developments will mainly include the complete renovation of Studios A, B and C on the fourth floor of the Communications/Music Complex.
“The idea is for these facilities to be used by all of the university,” Snyder said, as the new spaces promise to benefit a wide range of students and organizations.However, the new facilities are not quite finished, and many students have been unable to take advantage of them as of yet.
“As of right now, I have not used any new equipment,” Braden Piper, music industry studies junior, said. “I believe we’re supposed to be getting new equipment in soon, but as far as I know it isn’t actually here yet.” The renovations were scheduled to be completed in October. However, there is still work left to be completed.
“We still have to put lights and a projector screen in Studio A,” Snyder said. “Then we have to paint and refurbish studio C, which is the TV studio. And we have to build a room within a room, which is the control room, in Studio B, which is the biggest undertaking of all. That is with the architects right now.”
These last changes are expected to be complete by the beginning of the 2009 spring semester. While many students have not come in contact with the new spaces and equipment, expectations are high.
“If it’s a lot of recording and video equipment, it could make classes better for working with the most current gear and give students a better hands on approach for their own projects,” Aedan Madrigal, music industry studies junior, said.
Jay Crutti, a music industry studies professor, has seen positive reactions from the students, mostly involved with the recording studio, who have had the opportunity to use the new facilities.
“One of the best features of the new facilities is space,” Crutti said. “The student engineers now have the luxury of spreading things out to enhance the quality of the recording. The new equipment has also presented some fun challenges in that some of these students are now able to learn how top-level professional equipment operates and get that experience.” Many students who have not come in contact with the new facilities fully intend to make use of the new studio space and equipment eventually.
“There is no doubt in my mind that I will take advantage of the new equipment,” Piper said. “We’ve been in need of some new equipment for a while now, and it is going to be really exciting to work with it.”
Sarah Wild can be reached at [email protected].
