Education Spotlight: The Real School - Andover, MA
A private lesson school is in the business of letting their students make music and noise.
When the Massachusetts-based Real School of Music opened the doors to it’s second location in April 2013, the other tenants in their building were welcoming to a new progressive music community, however they were wary of the noise. Software developers need quiet and musicians need noise.
Decibel meters, sound dampeners, customized doors and rooms were just some of the tools that were built in to the school. By the summer of 2014, smaller amps and PA were being used and the acoustic drumsets were packed with foam but to no avail. Despite careful planning and using the best technology available, the sound that was escaping and leaking to the upstairs was still well above the previously agreed levels. “We had to make a drastic change or face the potential long range outcome of actually losing our lease,” says Andrew Clark, Managing Partner and teacher at the Real School in Andover, MA.
Shortly after the school opened, a JamHub studio had been brought to the school and set up as a demo for students and teachers. Since musicians like making loud noise the prospect of an enclosed “silent” rehearsal got a mix of reviews. “We didn't consider using it for rehearsals because we were still trying to make the old ways work,” said Clark after his introduction to JamHub. The old ways were “the only way we knew,” he went on to say.
A year later with the existing noise problem, Clark says, “It became clear that we had to switch to electronic drum kits and it seemed like the JamHub might help our cause.” With the decision to install JamHub studios, Clark says he “spent the better part of the summer setting up nine electronic drum kits, twelve stomp boxes, twenty-four sets of headphones and eventually four JamHubs.” His biggest stumbling block -- managing the various cables. Clark was “pleasantly surprised with the sound quality of the gear and the ease of use of the JamHub.” As the calendar turned to September, Real School hit the ground running with the newly renovated rooms while the teachers got a crash course in how to use their new equipment.
“The response was overwhelmingly positive, Clark said. “First and foremost the complaints from upstairs ended,” he said. In the ensemble rooms, teachers were able to communicate with students better, the ability to record and playback became a valuable education tool and the custom mixes were a hit with students. In fact, one adult student was already familiar with JamHubs because he used them with his own band to compensate for his tinnitus.
Clark went on to say that “Overall I would have to say I am very much in favor of using JamHubs. They make rehearsing much more civilized!” Going forward, The Real School of Music is considering using JamHubs in their future locations -- even if noise is not a concern. Clark says that “the educational benefits are obvious and the health benefits are valuable to our students, too.” Listening at comfortable volumes and headphones is much healthier than a room with live amps and PA competing to be heard.
JamHub studios have helped The Real School not only keep their lease, but also reinforce education methods and promote health awareness as well.
To learn more about The Real School, visit http://TheRealSchoolofMusic.com.