Musical Education Transformed by Groundbreaking Innovations
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has embraced innovative technology solutions to keep students and faculty connected during the pandemic. The urgent need for technology training was evident, as Graduate Council Secretary Janet Kim observed the rapid change to remote learning.
The technology team at the School of Music implemented Audio over Ethernet, allowing students and faculty to connect from any room at the School of Music with a data port that delivers real-time audio. This technology upgrade was crucial in enabling remote music lessons, rehearsals, and collaborations.
All classrooms at the School of Music will now have the capability to livestream for hybrid classes in the fall. To ensure a smooth transition, the School launched virtual tech workshops on topics related to digital audio workstations, recording, and telematic performance. Over 200 people attended these training boot camps, taught by experts and members of the Graduate Council.
Customized one-on-one training sessions were offered for students and faculty to learn how to install and use the software for their specific needs. The School's Director of Music Technology and Production, Luis Henao, played a significant role in implementing these technology solutions.
The technology team decided to use SonoBus and Jamulus software, which provides low latency for audio and live performance streaming. This was crucial in allowing musicians to play together in real time while maintaining safety. Six pairs of classrooms were set up in the spring of 2020 with low latency connections for real-time audio and video music sessions.
The School's technology solutions and upgrades represent its continued investments in producing 21st-century leading-edge work. A new screen in the Evelyn & Mo Ostin Music Center Music Café will feature upcoming events and public announcements. New digital signage has been installed in five locations throughout the School of Music, providing information about facilities, student services, and campus announcements. A kiosk in the lobby of Schoenberg Hall will show event promotions.
As the School of Music moves toward re-opening, upgrades to classrooms and facilities will be made to allow for safe and effective music performances. The School's technology solutions have proven to be invaluable, enabling students to sustain their musical growth and ensemble interaction remotely. Even after pandemic restrictions eased, programs such as chamber music intensives returned to campus, showing how technology initially bridged the gap during remote phases of education, before in-person activities resumed.
Luis Henao, the School's Director of Music Technology and Production, is now serving on UCLA's campus committee focusing on providing a consistent level of AV technology to all classrooms campuswide. This commitment to technological advancement ensures that the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music continues to lead the way in music education and performance, even in challenging times.
Education-and-self-development through online-education and learning at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music was significantly enhanced due to technology upgrades, which allowed for remote music lessons and collaborations. To facilitate this, virtual tech workshops were launched, covering digital audio workstations, recording, and telematic performance, attended by over 200 people.
