N.Y. (WBNG) — Maine-Endwell students have a new way to explore music, thanks to a more than $700,000 music production studio designed to give them hands-on experience with professional recording technology
The new studio features professional-grade equipment, including sound boards, recording software, acoustically treated walls and specialized lighting. Students will learn how to record live instruments, create beats, mix tracks and understand how sound is produced for live events.
Maine-Endwell High School Principal Erica Steaigr said the goal is to bring real-world experiences into the classroom before students graduate.
The studio also offers opportunities for students who may not participate in traditional music programs, such as band, chorus or orchestra.
Kurtis Parker, the district’s 6–12 orchestra director, said music production allows students to explore the technical side of music, even if they have never played an instrument.
Students will learn to use digital audio workstations such as Logic, with plans to introduce Pro Tools, an industry-standard recording platform. The experience could help prepare students for careers in studio recording, audio engineering and sound production.
School leaders also say the skills students develop can extend beyond music, including problem-solving, collaboration and confidence.
The studio’s opening featured country artist Tezza, a 2010 Maine-Endwell alum now based in Nashville.
With more than four million streams on Spotify, Tezza returned to perform in the new space, allowing students to record a live performance and later mix the audio.
Tezza praised the school’s music department and said the studio could help students develop their interests and turn their musical ambitions into a bigger part of their lives.
School leaders hope the new facility will attract more students to the music department while expanding opportunities for students to explore creative and technical career paths.
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