A state-of-the-art music production room has opened at Auburn High School.
Part of the space is a recording studio allowing students to record up to 16 different audio tracks simultaneously. The second part is a classroom with 16 desks. Each desk has its own computer and MIDI keyboard. Each computer is equipped with Pro Tools – the industry standard music recording software. This space also has three practice stations.
“We have a full studio setup with high-quality equipment,” teacher Shannon Stoddard said. “We have great quality microphones for vocal recording and all brand new instruments and equipment.
The room will be used by students in the new music production being offered by the school.
Students in the class will select an instrument to play: drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, or ukulele. They will then form bands with their fellow classmates and learn to cover songs as well as write their own. Students will then record, edit, and eventually publish their own music.
“These classes are becoming more popular in the music education world,” she said. “Some of the most successful artists we listen to start with limited home resources. What’s so great about this class is that now we have a place in school for students with this type of inspiration from their favorite artists to create music. There are already students enrolled in this program who are proficient in songwriting and music production and who have started at home using other music creation programs. It is fascinating to see how they apply their self-taught skills to the full studio setup. I believe that the community will be amazed at the new opportunity and display of talent from these students.”
Aidan Hodson is a student enrolled in the class He said the class helped him decide to pursue editing and acting in college.
“I feel like it’s going to help me learn because I’ve never used Pro Tools, but it’s helped me figure out what avenue I want to go down,” he said. “It’s definitely helped me learn what I want to do after this because I wanted to major in acting my whole life but now that I’ve seen how good this program is, it’s definitely shown me that editing is also a thing I like doing.”
The class will culminate with a performance at Auburn Public Theater.
