Video Conferencing and Music Performance Education

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Video Conferencing and Music Performance Education

2/24/2006

Around the world with the Manhattan School of Music

By Christianne Orto
Manhattan School of Music

Distance learning in music education, how is this possible? Skeptics wonder if videoconferencing technology can capture superior sound quality or has the necessary clarity for tracking minute movements during performance. The surprising answer: Yes, to both.

The Manhattan School of Music (http://www.msmnyc.edu), a preeminent international conservatory of music offers bachelor, master and doctorate degrees in music performance. The school hails as the first conservatory in the country to incorporate videoconferencing into its music performance education curriculum.

Founded in 1918, the Manhattan School of Music is dedicated to the personal, artistic and intellectual development of each of its students who range from pre-college through postgraduate levels. In addition to approximately 850 students from over 40 countries in the College Division, the school serves about 450 New York-area students ages 5 to 18 in the Preparatory Division; almost 2,000 New York City school children through its arts-in-education program; and approximately 1,700 college and K-12 students worldwide through its distance learning program.

The school trains students in performance and composition, while providing a broad-based education in music theory, history and humanities. Under the leadership of Robert Sirota, the school employs a superb artist-teacher faculty of 250 professional musicians and presents over 400 public performances annually. Manhattan School of Music's more than 10,000 alumni remain active in every aspect of American musical life. Many are among the most distinguished artists performing in opera houses and concert halls, and on jazz stages throughout the world today.

We initially explored videoconferencing technology to accommodate the touring schedule of world-renowned violinist, conductor and MSM faculty member, Pinchas Zukerman, so that he could teach his students while concertizing around the globe. The program proved so successful that Manhattan School of Music decided videoconferencing presented great opportunities for the conservatory environment. We have since expanded our program to include master classes, workshops, clinics, one-on-one teaching, education and community outreach, professional development, coaching and the creation of a new elective class, 'Videoconferencing for Performers & Educators,' designed to expose students to the virtual learning environment.

Searching for Quality Audio and Video

As we searched for the right solution, our staff faced technology limitations with videoconferencing. Most systems proved inadequate for the high fidelity sound and acoustical requirements of music instruction. Finding a suitable system involved a long search for the best sound quality and greatest flexibility.