The Florida State University College of Music has been able to install ceiling microphones, cameras, digital audio consoles, and more in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall (RDCH) thanks to student tech fee funds. Alex Jimenez, Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting, says that

 

"The innovative technology has helped aid in the distribution, storage, and production of music, pushing the college of music to an advanced level to provide new experiences and opportunities for students and professors. The recording technology within the auditorium allows for live concert streaming, which especially helped during the pandemic and still allows for people outside of Tallahassee to enjoy the productions, as well as helps musicians gain immediate feedback during rehearsals from the recordings."  

The technology has also greatly benefited FSU College of Music students. 3rd-year commercial music student and recital technician at the College of Music, Miranda Fuller, says that she has been able to gain hands-on experience with equipment that is up to industry standards, rather than simply learning from a textbook. Its giving the students the opportunity to take the skills they are learning in the classroom and apply them in the field. Stagehand Cameron Burns, says that working at Ruby Diamond has broadened his horizons and opened a future career path he wouldn’t have discovered if it weren’t for the technology funded by Student Tech Fee dollars. While working as a stagehand, Cameron has gained experience in a video production role, showing him what the process of professionally recording and capturing performances looks like with high-tech equipment. Opportunities like this are not offered in many universities and is part of what sets graduates from FSU apart from other applicants in such a competitive field.

A major benefit and important component of the technology in the concert hall is the ability to record and store concerts, plays, and any other type of production within the College of Music archives for anyone to enjoy and learn from for years to come. Whether you are watching your performance again to see how to improve or watching others play a piece in a past year these archives are now available in a high quality to learn from. The College of Music can also now share performances live with those who may not be able to attend a concert in person. This was a hug benefit of the technology during COVID-19 when students would perform in senior recitals or their final concert but could not have family present in the room. It opens the world of music to a whole new audience in an easily accessible way. 

To learn more about the FSU College of Music and how they have benefited from the installation of cameras and recording devices, watch this month's STF spotlight.