New recording studio at ETSU

Photo Credit: Travis Brown - EastTennessean.comWhen looking for a higher education in the area of bluegrass music, there are limited choices. The one I chose was South Plains College in Levelland, TX. One of the things I loved about the school was the close association of the music program with recording program.

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) has a similar program of bluegrass music studies, the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services. Beginning with the fall semester, the students at ETSU will have access to a new recording facility. Plans have been in place for the recording lab since a building on campus was vacated in 1999. Those plans are coming to completion during the 25th anniversary of the bluegrass program.

Associate professor Raymond McLain commented on the new learning opportunities this would present for the students.

From a musician stand point, it will be a good opportunity to learn in a recording environment. It is hard to learn to play the guitar with out a guitar, and it is hard to learn how to record music without a recording lab.

Plans are for one recording class to be taught this coming fall, but the University is still looking for the right person to manage the lab and teach the class (job info). And they are still working to complete the construction phase of the lab. The ceiling has been completed, the sheetrock work is underway but currently on hold so wiring can be completed. School officials predict the overall cost for construction to be somewhere between $400,000 and $500,000. These expenses have largely been paid for by funds raised via the student technology access fee.

Speaking from my own personal experience, those students who are dedicated to earning a living in and around bluegrass music will benefit greatly from this resource. I encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the technical side of making music.

0 Comments
Leave a comment
Comments are open and unmoderated for our registered users, only your first comment will require approval before publication. Comments do not necessarily reflect the views of The Bluegrass Blog. Obscene, abusive, silly, or annoying remarks may be deleted, but the fact that particular comments remain on the site in no way constitutes an endorsement of their content by The Bluegrass Blog.

TrackBack URI

You must

  • Register
  • and Log in in to leave comments.

    Bluegrass B.A. approved at ETSU

    When we last spoke with Raymond McLain about the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at East...

    Another stolen bass

    Here's another sad story about a stolen instrument, this time a string bass belonging to a student in...

    ETSU seeking bluegrass professor

    A search is currently underway for a full time faculty position in the bluegrass, country and old time...

    ETSU to offer bluegrass degree?

    The East Tennessean, the student paper for East Tennessee State University, is reporting that the Bluegrass,...

    Kristin Benson at ETSU

    We have posted a number of time of late about the recent change at the prestigious Berklee College of...

    Bluegrass at ETSU

    Craig Havighurst - he of String Theory Media and the IBMA Board of Directors - has put together a 9 minute...

    Joe Carr, South Plains College

    Over the next few months, while college choices for rising high school seniors are forefront in the minds...

    Banjo position open again at South Plains College

    We received a note from Joe Carr, Associate Professor of Music at South Plains College in Levelland,...

    Tater Tate benefit show and fund

    Here's a chance for bluegrass lovers everywhere to "give back" to a man who has contributed mightily...

    Bluegrass music class at Appalachian State University

    Students at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC have been learning a lot about bluegrass recently. In...

    South Plains faculty position still open

    We got a note from Joe Carr, Assistant Professor of Music in the Bluegrass Music program at South Plains...

    South Plains College still accepting applications

    John wrote back in January and February about the faculty position opening at South Plains College due...