Music from the Mountains Providing Live Music

Music from the Mountains : Providing Live Music Arts Education from Small, Rural Universities using Internet 2 Kent Tonkin, AD for IT, CERMUSA at Saint Francis University

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting About Saint Francis University • Catholic, coeducational liberal arts University • One of the nation’s first Catholic co-ed colleges. • Established in 1847 by six Franciscan friars from Ireland • Committed to transmitting the knowledge, culture, and values of the past as vital factors in facing the realities of life in the 21 st century. • Strives to help students chart a realistic course for the future -- their own and that of society. Rev. Gabriel Zeis, T. O. R. President, Saint Francis University

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting What is CERMUSA? • DOD-funded telemed/distance learning research • Founded in 1994 • Applied research using COTS • Rural constituency • Programs of note: MCP, FREC-M, EMS Training

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Why Online Music? • • SFU/CERMUSA Missions Resurgence of Fine Arts at SFU Arrival of Jim Donovan Introductions/Conversations of February 2006

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Inspiration/Mentors

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Timing is EVERYTHING • Jim Donovan=full time faculty as of Jan 2006 • Planning activities began in March 2006 • First sessions in April 2006

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Existing Facilities • Distance Learning Prototype Lab • Live production, VTC, NLE, and digital archiving • Never used for live music

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Key Staff • Jim Donovan • James Gerraughty • Mike Shanafelt • Mike Reigh

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Working the Bugs Out • Partners: CIM and New World Symphony • Process: Use remote sites to evaluate music content from SFU and to “loop” back to us

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Challenges • H. 323=Compressed audio (mono, low dynamics) • Jim Donovan=First time remote VTC instructor • New ground for CERMUSA staff

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Methods=Instructor Buy-In • Began testing in March 2006 (2 weeks after initial meeting) • Instructor buy-in: Sampled Jim’s own music and sent to New World Symphony • NWS “re-transmitted” via H. 323 VTC • Jim listened to his own songs to determine sonic limitation

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Instructor Buy-In Challenges • Challenge 1: Adapting to compressed audio • Challenge 2: Non-partiality (determining if key “gist” of song/sounds remained intact) Insert pictures here

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Methods=VTC Testing • CIM was participating receive site • Used line-level audio input on several codecs • Tested at a series of connection speeds (128 -768 kpbs in 128 kb increments) • Used dynamically challenging instruments • Good luck: Sound engineer on CERMUSA staff and drummer at CIM Adam Phillips Manager of Distance Learning Programs, CIM

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting VTC Challenges • Challenge 1: Getting dynamic sound on a system designed for “even” voice tones • Challenge 2: Quality control with transport provider (massive packet collision rates)

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Results • Instructor buy in: – Jim’s evaluation: Sound “flat” but emphasized all key elements – Adequate for educational purposes

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Results • VTC Testing: – Tandberg 6000 codec had best audio reproduction (note: staff most familiar with 6000; would like to repeat testing with hi-def in future) – Microphone placement CRUCIAL (best results with splitting high/low sounds. mics used: Audio Technica Pro 37 R (condenser) and Shure Beta 52 A (dynamic) – Small Mackie mixer for audio sub-mixes – Staff conducted multiple test sessions

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting The Verdict

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Selecting Instructors • Jim already had performers coming to campus in April • Both willing to participate in experiment

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Selecting Instructors • Jim Gagnon: Exploring the Dreamtime, April 3, 2006 • Paul Purple: The Universe of Song, April 24

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Promoting the Events • Very aggressive timeline: First VTC test on March 6, first sessions on April 3 • MASSIVE assistance from MAGPI • Promotion mainly through MAGPI list serve and web posting • H. 323 VTC via Internet 2 Commons • Large response from national/international community • Multiple test times in Commons

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Problems Encountered • Non-Internet 2 participants – No familiarity with GDS – Quality of Connection – Thanks to the Commons for being responsive! • DLPL “ambience” – Studio environment – Needs some “artsying” up!

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Problems Encountered (cont’d) • Variable quality of receive sites – Muting microphones/moving cameras sometimes a challenge • Sub-bridging – Some schools could only connect via MCUs • Unanticipated presenter requirements – Additional instruments/digital equipment

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting What the experience was like:

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Live Demonstration • Please welcome Jim Donovan and SFU Percussion Ensemble!

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Lessons Learned • Broadcast/audio professionals are key • Anticipate connection problems (esp. at non. Internet 2 sites) • Artists seldom “stick to the plan” • Microphone placement=everything! • Schools hungry for arts content • Kids also hungry for arts content • TEST, TEST!

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Future Plans • Application to NEH and others for funding • Migration to hi-def or DVTS video • Creation of archive/ongoing series • Expansion to live concert performances (hopefully collaborative)

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Acknowledgements • • • Dr. Mark George and Adam Philips at CIM Andrew Hollis at New World Symphony Jennifer, Heather, and Greg at MAGPI Bob Dixon and the Internet 2 Commons Jay Roberts, Director, CERMUSA Fr. Gabriel Zeiss, President, SFU Jim Gagnon and Paul Purple Jim Donovan Mike Shanafelt, James Gerraughty, Mike Reigh, Rob Dillon, and Dawna Knee • Internet 2 Community at large!

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting Questions?

Fall 2006 Internet 2 Member Meeting For More Information: • • Kent Tonkin, AD for IT, CERMUSA ktonkin@cermusa. francis. edu www. cermusa. francis. edu (814)472 -3389