Professional Recording Studio for CCHS Students

Two tech professionals at Concord-Carlisle High School found a little-used audio-visual storage and repair area next to the library, and over the last two years, transformed it into a state-of-the-art professional recording studio worthy of Beyonce or the next American Idol.

Gene Warfel and Peter Kelly are still the IT go-to men who are responsible for maintaining the vast computer networks that link the classrooms, but they are clearly enthusiastic about the young music lab with 18 work stations, and professional sound studio that can record and create CDs.

Their system can be moved to other sites within the school, such as the cafeteria where they recorded Battle of the Bands, and the auditorium where they recorded portions of the musical.

Warfel said he is a long-time musician who has played in jazz trios and other ensembles, while Kelly has his own label and a history of recording classical orchestras in Prague or Warsaw, and making CDs.

The studio, called Colonial Sound, can be booked for students that need a CD for their college applications, Warfel said.

When Warfel and Kelly decided to rehab the AV storage closet, they added several inches of insulation to the walls so that it is completely silent. Each work station has headphones so that students can work on their own music privately.

Warfel said five or six years ago, the Concord Education Fund paid for the digital imaging lab for fine art students, and he thought, "We should have a digital recording studio."

"Music should be represented in the new world here," said Warfel. The ed fund agreed and gave him a start up grant.

"The goal is quality over quantity," said Warfel. "We purchase what we can at the time, and it's all high-end equipment."

Kelly's music background was an added benefit, after Warfel hired him to help install the white-board technology in the classrooms.

"We are in the early stages," said Kelly. "Students have come together and learned the equipment."

Inside the lab, there is a Yamaha grand piano and "house" drum set so students do not have to lug their drums from home.

"We will send audition CDs to colleges for free," said Kelly. He said they are working with the music department.

"From an educational standpoint, we have students that want to learn the studio process," said Kelly. "We have a 24 track professional studio."

Warfel said he does not know of any other high school with that capability except CCHS.

"You'd see this at a Berklee or other arts college, but not at high school," said Warfel. Kelly is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music.

Warfel said already the new studio has helped three violinists, jazz and rock bands and the school choir. More students are learning the production end.

Kelly said there is a self-paced tutorial that comes with every work station in the lab.

"This is unique," said Warfel. "You wouldn't expect to find this at a high school. It's also early in its development."

He is planning to start an open lab period where students can come in and learn at their own pace. He may hire a part time college music student to oversee the studio during the open labs.

"There is no prerequisite," said Warfel. "We take anyone."

See more at www.colonial.net.