Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Works with SoundTree to Offer Students an Educational Edge
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (DASOTA) in Jacksonville, FL offers students a challenging yet nurturing approach to a well-rounded education. Established in 1985, the award-winning public high school has remained fiercely committed to its goals by providing students with an advanced academic and arts curriculum. DASOTA’s school motto is "Where Arts and Academics Meet in Excellence." This focus on the arts is evident in the comprehensive course offerings, which include advanced classes in instrumental and vocal music, creative writing, dance, theater, television, film and the visual arts. The School emphasizes innovative teaching methods and believes that access to the finest tools is key to helping students develop their talents and prepare for a professional career in the arts.
DASOTA strives to stay abreast of new technologies, despite its location in an underprivileged area within a school system that struggles with funding. Determination and concern for the students’ interests are at the heart of a music program that is under continual refinement. Exemplifying this dedication, DASOTA recently enlisted SoundTree, a supplier of turnkey learning systems, to design and install a new high-tech music lab. Together, they were able to create a comprehensive music education program, while overcoming numerous obstacles in the process.
The School’s plans for upgrading its facilities had been impeded in 2001, when the events of September 11 caused widespread budget shortfalls. However, after rallying the Superintendent of Schools, the School Board and the School System Technology Department for the long-term benefits of an enhanced music-learning environment, DASOTA was ultimately able to raise the needed funds to invest in state-of-the-art music technology. Since SoundTree specializes in all aspects of building a successful music learning system, they were instrumental in ensuring the most efficient and judicious use of those funds. They provided advice and assistance throughout the various steps of the project, seeing the state-of-the-art music lab come to fruition despite contractor postponements and funding issues.
The music lab now features a wealth of modern technology, including Korg’s acclaimed GEC3EXP group education controller, which enables the teacher to easily interface with, in the case of DASOTA, 23 student stations in large and small practice groups or on an individual basis. The lab is designed around Apple Macintosh computers and software and utilizes the industry-standard MOTU Digital Performer, PEAK and Sibelius music notation software. It also incorporates other software for music instruction such as Music Lessons, Band in the Box, Practica Musica, Total Premiere, Macromedia Director, Freestyle and Toast for both beginners and advanced students. The classroom is equipped with Ominirax TYRO Workstations and Korg N5EX Synthesizers, as well as Korg’s Karma and TRITON Le Music Workstations. Students also benefit from other cutting-edge gear, such as the PreSonus FIREStation FireWire audio interface.
The setup is extremely versatile and has been integrated into several departments within the school. A complete onsite digital and analog recording studio is linked to the recital hall, band, orchestra and choral rooms for capturing live performances. The recording studio is also linked to the television and film studio as well as to the Electronic Music Lab. Students are now composing, arranging, and digitally editing original pieces, and even beginning to write music for use by the school’s TV and film production department. As Ace Martin, DASOTA’s Instrumental Music and Music Technology Director, explains, "I wanted to make sure we had the widest range of gear and capabilities, and that’s what we tried to do from the beginning. SoundTree helped us get the most bang for the buck we could possibly achieve. The design lets everything feed naturally into each other — Electronic Music, Recording Classes, et cetera. We started departmental sharing of info this year, and it’s also the first year we’ve had advanced students. A second year of Electronic Music now allows further progression of their skills, along with a Recording Curriculum that has been developed at the school. We’ve expanded from one to seven classes in Electronic Music."
The School has grown along with its students, while giving the surrounding community a wealth of artistic endeavors to enjoy. An Annual Extravaganza, developed for the students by Mr. Martin, provides the closest equivalent to a professional stage experience that is possible before graduation. This event is the best of the best in Art and Performance Ensembles that the school can offer to the community. Other events, including the annual musical, plays, dance productions, choral and instrumental concerts, writers’ conference and art exhibit openings, are just a few things extended to the citizens of Jacksonville. In addition, Electronic Music Lab student CD projects are made for parents and friends to enjoy throughout the year, especially around holiday times, featuring original arrangements of music done in the lab. ACD compilation of the year’s work in the Electronic Music Lab comprises original pieces ranging from commercial jingles to full orchestras of music. The students in the lab also create sound effects, original music for video, student production plays and creative writers’ readings. All of these projects and student works provide wonderful opportunities for assessment and demonstrate accountability that is directly related to instruction in the SoundTree lab.
Martin continues, "We try to improve the courses every year and develop interesting projects throughout the year. It takes a lot of hard work on everyone’s part. We have very focused students compared to other high schools — they are actively trying to improve themselves and their art as well." The extraordinary commitment expressed by both DASOTA teachers and pupils was reflected in the high level of support SoundTree extended during the building and implementation process. Martin praises the individualized service SoundTree offers, noting, "SoundTree has answered every question I’ve ever come to them with, and I’ve actually given them some questions they haven’t encountered before — there are some things we’re dealing with now that nobody else is doing. Ours is such a complex situation because it’s so versatile compared to most installations — we have a lot of things going on at once, and different needs to consider."
Martin is certain of the valuable education that DASOTA gives its students, and he points out, "Graduates will be using these same tools they’re working with now in college and in their careers." He has seen firsthand the positive effects of a well-conceived music program, citing one student that entered his class barely able to play an instrument. Martin says, "This person made amazing progress and became one of my best students in Electronic Music Class. She is now in college, with plans to be an elementary teacher, and uses some of her sequences as background music for student reading classes. She wrote some incredible pieces that I still have saved and play for my classes now. It just blows them away how far someone can come in one year."
With DASOTA’s new SoundTree music lab and its professional quality components, students are able to go farther than ever before. Martin relates, "I had a student from Switzerland named David who was going to our school for a year in the exchange program. He had some MIDI background and excelled quickly in Electronic Music Class, then went on to be a finalist in the state PTSA Reflections contest in music composition. I received an email from him studying in another location in Europe saying he’d decided to continue with music — specifically electronic music. He is now designing new sound synthesis programs!"
