A new hip-hop beat is pulsing through Garfield Park Academy. The school has launched a Music Production and Sound Studio, adding to the already wide range of hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) learning at the school.
The studio gives students the opportunity to make and record music, write songs, and create sound effects for video and stage using professional equipment and industry-recognized software including synthesizers, sequencers, mid-boards and track board controllers.
“This is something our students have been asking for, so the idea to add it to the program was very organic. Because this is a high interest area, many students come to us with a solid foundation of skills. We can leverage that interest to introduce new concepts and content aligned with the curriculum in science, math and even language arts,” said Dr. Steven Morse, Superintendent.
The connection between music and math has been well established with students learning counting, rhythm, scales, intervals, patterns, symbols, harmonies, time signatures, overtones, tone, and pitch. The Music Studio is perfect for hands-on learning in math, science and engineering. It also adds a new layer to transition services, because students can gain skills using recording and mixing equipment that can prepare them for high value jobs.
Chester Vincent, an educator at Garfield Park Academy for 12 years, adds that the program also has natural connections to the therapeutic component of GPA’s program.
“Music is very therapeutic. We have students writing poetry in Language Arts and then coming to the studio to learn to write music,” he said.
