Progressive Innovations Transform Music Education at Local School
In response to the urgent need for technology training following the rapid shift to remote learning, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has implemented a series of innovative technology solutions to help students and faculty connect and collaborate effectively during the pandemic.
These solutions include the adoption of Audio over Ethernet, a technology that allows students and faculty to connect from any room at the School of Music with a data port. This technology, in conjunction with the implementation of software programs like SonoBus and Jamulus, enables real-time audio connections between rooms using the correct hardware and software through the Ethernet.
The school's technology team also focused on finding solutions that would allow students to play together with low latency, a significant challenge in remote music collaboration. This was achieved through a combination of high-quality video conferencing software, dedicated hardware such as audio interfaces and low-latency microphones, and network infrastructure improvements to support stable, high-bandwidth connections.
As the School of Music moves toward re-opening, upgrades to classrooms and facilities will be key to allowing students to perform together effectively and safely. New digital signage will be installed in five locations throughout the School of Music, displaying messages about facilities, student services, and campus announcements. A kiosk in the lobby of Schoenberg Hall will show event promotions.
To further support students and faculty, virtual tech workshops were launched on topics ranging from digital audio workstations to telemetric performance. All classrooms at the School of Music will now be able to livestream for hybrid classes in the fall. Six pairs of classrooms were set up in the spring of 2020 with low latency connections for real-time audio and video music sessions. Customized one-on-one training sessions were offered for students and faculty with specific needs.
The success of these technology solutions was evident in the rehearsals of Arturo O'Farrill's Jazz Combos ensemble, where Arturo connected from his studio and students played from their own classrooms or practice rooms. Over 200 people attended the training boot camps, taught by experts and members of the Graduate Council.
The Graduate Council Secretary, Janet Kim, emphasized the importance of equity in providing technology training, ensuring that all students and faculty have the opportunity to learn and grow in this digital age. Henao, a member of the school's community, is now serving on UCLA's campus committee, which focuses on providing a consistent level of AV technology to all classrooms campuswide.
These technology solutions and upgrades represent the School of Music's continued investments in producing 21st-century leading-edge work. As the demands for music and audio technology are expected to persist post-pandemic, equipping students with lasting benefits and skills, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of music education and performance.
- The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music implemented technology solutions, such as Audio over Ethernet and software programs like SonoBus and Jamulus, for education-and-self-development purposes, particularly in online-learning environments.
- The success of these technology solutions, including real-time audio connections and low latency collaborations, demonstrated the school's commitment to producing 21st-century leading-edge work, ensuring students are equipped with lasting benefits and skills in music education and performance.
