music from the mountains : providing live music arts education from small, rural universities using...
TRANSCRIPT
Music from the Mountains : Providing Live Music Arts Education from Small, Rural Universities using Internet2
Kent Tonkin, AD for IT, CERMUSA at Saint Francis University
Fall 2006 Internet2 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 21st 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 Internet2 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 Internet2 Member Meeting
Why Online Music?
• SFU/CERMUSA Missions
• Resurgence of Fine Arts at SFU
• Arrival of Jim Donovan
• Introductions/Conversations of February 2006
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Inspiration/Mentors
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Timing is EVERYTHING
• Jim Donovan=full time faculty as of Jan 2006
• Planning activities began in March 2006
• First sessions in April 2006
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Existing Facilities
• Distance Learning Prototype Lab
• Live production, VTC, NLE, and digital archiving
• Never used for live music
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Key Staff• Jim Donovan
• James Gerraughty
• Mike Shanafelt
• Mike Reigh
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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
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Challenges
• H.323=Compressed audio (mono, low dynamics)
• Jim Donovan=First time remote VTC instructor
• New ground for CERMUSA staff
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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
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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
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Methods=VTC Testing• CIM was participating receive site• Used line-level audio input on several codecs• Tested at a series of connection speeds
(128-768kpbs in 128kb increments)• Used dynamically challenging instruments • Good luck: Sound engineer on CERMUSA
staff and drummer at CIM
Adam Phillips
Manager of Distance Learning Programs, CIM
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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)
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Results
• Instructor buy in:– Jim’s evaluation: Sound “flat” but
emphasized all key elements– Adequate for educational purposes
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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 Pro37R (condenser) and Shure Beta 52A (dynamic)
– Small Mackie mixer for audio sub-mixes– Staff conducted multiple test sessions
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The Verdict
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Selecting Instructors
• Jim already had performers coming to campus in April
• Both willing to participate in experiment
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Selecting Instructors
• Jim Gagnon: Exploring the Dreamtime, April 3, 2006
• Paul Purple: The Universe of Song, April 24
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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 Internet2 Commons• Large response from national/international
community• Multiple test times in Commons
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Problems Encountered• Non-Internet2 participants
– No familiarity with GDS– Quality of Connection– Thanks to the Commons for being
responsive!
• DLPL “ambience”– Studio environment– Needs some “artsying” up!
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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
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What the experience was like:
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Live Demonstration
• Please welcome Jim Donovan and SFU Percussion Ensemble!
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Lessons Learned• Broadcast/audio professionals are key• Anticipate connection problems (esp. at non-
Internet2 sites)• Artists seldom “stick to the plan”• Microphone placement=everything!• Schools hungry for arts content• Kids also hungry for arts content• TEST, TEST, TEST!
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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)
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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 Internet2 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• Internet2 Community at large!
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Questions?
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For More Information:
• Kent Tonkin, AD for IT, CERMUSA
• www.cermusa.francis.edu
• (814)472-3389