A new and unique summer course offered by Syracuse University will give SU students the opportunity to teach Syracuse high school students with disabilities about the art of music production and recording engineering in a professional recording studio.
“Studio Recording/The Inclusive Recording Studio: Summer @SUbCat” is a new undergraduate and graduate course being offered to SU students studying music education, music industry and other related disciplines. The course will culminate in a two-week experience in August in which the SU students will teach and mentor high school music technology students with disabilities at the new SubCat Studios, an accessible, state-of-the-art facility located in the newly completed 219 West multi-arts complex at 219 S. West St., Syracuse.
“SUmmer @SUbCat” is sponsored by SU’s Burton Blatt Institute (BBI); University College; and the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) as part of the Music Technology Access Project (MTAP), a collaborative effort to bring music education technology and instruction to students with disabilities. It is based on the popular music industry course “Studio Recording” currently taught in the Setnor School of Music.
“This course is completely unique, and the amalgam of music, recording technology and disability studies is cutting edge,” says James Abbott, music technology administrator and instructor in the Setnor School. “The collaboration between VPA, BBI and SubCat is unprecedented and will highlight the interdisciplinary approach at SU.”
“This is exactly the type of inclusive arts and educational program that importantly engages BBI, VPA and the University with the Syracuse community,” says Peter Blanck, University Professor and chairman of BBI. “We hope this one-of-a-kind program will inspire high school students with and without disabilities to pursue careers in music engineering and sound production.”
“SUmmer @SUbCat” will be co-taught by Abbott and John Coggiola, chair of the Setnor School’s music education program, with SubCat Studios staff also participating. The SU students will work on an extensive recording project in addition to mentoring and coaching the high school students on music performance and production in the recording studio. In anticipation of the two-week experience, the SU students will make modifications to the studio to assist in this process, such as the adaptation of audio workstation software for voice activation and modifying studio hardware for accessibility. All of the students will collaborate on a recording project as performers and production staff.
“Music engineering is a techno-creative art, and I believe all persons should be given the opportunity to express themselves in the medium,” says Abbott. “The class and experience for the kids is a huge step in this direction.”
“SUmmer @SUbCat” seeks Syracuse high school students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) who show an interest in music, currently participate in school music programs or who would benefit from participating in music immersion. The high school students will attend the two-week program on August 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12, from 5:30-9 p.m. The final class day, August 12, will feature a gala concert produced by the students in the program at the Red House Arts Center, adjacent to SubCat Studios.
For more information on participating in the course, contact Abbott at susubcat@syr.edu. Further information about MTAP and “SUmmer @SUbCat” can be found at http://bbi.syr.edu/mtap.
219 West is a state-of-the-art facility complete with top-of-the-line recording studios, soundproof rehearsal rooms, a dance studio, a cafe-bar and artist housing. Designed and redeveloped by Fiedler Marciano Architecture of New York City, 219 West will share its resources with the neighboring Red House Arts Center, as the Redhouse extends its programming to include arts workshops, music lessons, fitness classes and more. With local businesses SubCat Studios, Montage Cafe-Bar, Black Lagoon Studios and Ultimate Cut Productions housed within its walls and with the Redhouse providing first-rate arts programming, theater, gallery exhibitions and education, 219 West is poised to not only enrich the entire Syracuse community but to be an arts and business leader for the entire Central New York region.
219 West will hold an open house on Saturday, June 11, from noon-3 p.m. The public is invited to tour the facility and learn more about the businesses, partnerships and opportunities housed within the complex, including “SUmmer @SUbCat.” For more information about the open house, contact Anton Briones at (630) 788-7161 or anton@219sWest.com. Media who wish to arrange a tour of the facility should contact Anthony Adornato at (315) 443-6173 or acadorna@syr.edu.
