Transformation in Musical Education: State-of-the-art Technology Enhancements at the School of Music
In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has implemented a series of innovative technology solutions to enable students and faculty to connect, collaborate, and continue their music-making activities remotely.
One of the key initiatives was the offering of customized one-on-one training sessions for students and faculty to learn how to install and connect their specific equipment. This ensured that everyone was equipped to participate in the new digital environment.
As the School of Music re-opens for in-person and hybrid instruction, upgrades to classrooms and facilities will be key to allowing students to perform together effectively and safely. New digital signage has been installed in five locations throughout the School of Music, displaying messages about facilities, student services, campus announcements, upcoming events, and public announcements.
The launch of virtual tech workshops was aimed at providing students and faculty with a centralized repository of recommendations for effective remote learning and performing. Workshops covered topics such as digital audio workstations, recording, and telematic performance. Over 200 people attended the training boot camps, taught by experts and members of the Graduate Council.
To facilitate real-time remote ensemble playing, high-quality audio and video communication platforms were adopted, minimizing latency and preserving sound fidelity. 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 technology team decided to move forward with implementing two software programs called SonoBus and Jamulus, which allow musicians to play together with low latency from their homes.
In addition, recording and synchronization tools were employed to enable asynchronous collaboration, where students record individual parts that are later integrated into a unified performance piece. Leveraging learning management systems and cloud storage, music scores, resources, and performance recordings were organized and shared among students and faculty.
Professor of Global Jazz Studies Arturo O'Farrill's Jazz Combos ensemble rehearsal was used as an example of the technology in action. A new screen in the Evelyn & Mo Ostin Music Center Music Café will feature upcoming events and public announcements. A kiosk in the lobby of Schoenberg Hall will show event promotions.
The School of Music's continued investments in producing 21st-century leading-edge work have led to Henao serving on UCLA's campus committee focusing on providing a consistent level of AV technology to all classrooms campuswide. These efforts are expected to equip students with lasting benefits and skills, particularly in the areas of music and audio technology.
As the School of Music looks to the future, it is clear that the demands for music and audio technology will not disappear after the pandemic. The School of Music expects to continue to adapt and innovate to meet the needs of its students and faculty in the ever-changing landscape of education and music-making.
Technology played a significant role in the School of Music's approach to education-and-self-development during the pandemic, as it introduced online-learning opportunities for students and faculty through virtual tech workshops and the implementation of high-quality audio and video communication platforms. These tools, such as SonoBus and Jamulus, facilitated real-time remote ensemble playing and asynchronous collaboration, ensuring that learning and music-making activities could persist even in challenging times.
