Construction has Begun!
Construction has begun on the recording studio. I will be posting a photo gallery shortly with the various stages of the demolition and construction. While it makes for teaching classes this semester a challenge I am not going to complain, since it is going to be nice to finally have a facility that was supposed to be completed before I excepted the job at Bethel! For now, the rooms will be constructed and the school will still be using my equipment for the next year, but it has been stated that the studio will be equipped with University purchased gear sometime next year.
Bethel Studio Update
Proposed Floor Plan
I found out today that I need to move all of the studio gear ASAP since construction is set to begin on January 3rd. From my understanding the studio will be constructed in phases, with the physical space construction to be completed this spring. At that time the recording studio will still be utilizing my gear, but the planned phase for next year is the acquisition of studio equipment.
This is very exciting news, however I only have a few days to move all of my gear to the basement. Seems classes this spring will be in the “dungeon” which should make for a very cozy classroom environment.
Academic Recording Studio Proposal
My offices have now finally moved into the space that is to be the future academic recording studio. Even before I moved in, the University had a representative from the construction firm on campus to appraise the room situation. Since then I have met with this individual as well as my Division Chair and Dean and presented a proposal for the space.
Proposed Floor Plan
There was a brief discussion about starting the construction right after Thanksgiving break so that it would be ready in time for the spring semester. Hoping that comes to fruition.
Division of Music
Updates have been slow to my site due to a number of events this summer. One of those events, I am happy to announce, was the complete separation of the Division of Music from Renaissance. There is going to be a period of adjustment, but overall I believe this to be a VGT (Very Good Thing) for the Division. Because of this change, some of the faculty (like myself) have had to take on more academic responsibility. In addition to the Music Industry Studies area, I will now be teaching low brass, as well as music fundamentals to incoming freshman. I am looking forward to the upcoming fall semester!
Recording Studio Update
With the move of the Department of Music into the old student center upon the completion of the Vera Low Center for Student Enrichment, the academic recording studio will be moved from its current location in the “Manse” to what is currently the bookstore. Due to the short move-in time before the start of the fall semester, there will be no renovations to the room, affording the recording program the opportunity to “live” with the space an develop a layout that best suits the needs of the students and academic ensembles.