Sweetwater Nurtures USF Music Technology Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sweetwater Nurtures USF Music Technology Program

Fort Wayne, IN, February 22, 2018 — In 2007, Sweetwater Sound began a partnership with Fort Wayne, Indiana's University of Saint Francis — providing funds for scholarships, gear purchase and installation, and other music-related projects — to help create a four-year degree program in Music Technology.

Today, that program has blossomed into a major feature of the university's School of Creative Arts Music Technology program, and has a new home in the $5-million renovated USF Music Technology Center in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne. The program has been extremely popular for many years with 50 bachelor-level students enrolled this year, who were recruited locally, regionally, and nationally. The program's six faculty members teach three areas of concentration: Recording Engineering and Production; Audio for the Creative Arts; and Music Technology Sales.

The gear to outfit the various aspects of the program was purchased by special arrangement from Sweetwater. Also, Sweetwater Sales Engineers were involved as consultants on everything from gear to acoustics from the very beginning of the program.

For years, Sweetwater has been providing internships for students and hiring the program's graduates as Sales Engineers and to work in Sweetwater Studios. Sweetwater founder and president Chuck Surack, and his wife Lisa, have donated $420,000 in scholarships, plus $250,000 toward renovation of the downtown campus and concert venue, in addition to $100,000 to fund the creation of the university's first marching band.

Chuck Surack said, "Helping the University of Saint Francis to build a great program in a first-rate facility has been a dream of mine for decades. Students are receiving the best possible education in music technology, as professional as any in the country, which benefits the music business, the community, and Sweetwater.

The USF Music Technology Center in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana houses a 2,000-seat concert hall, several recording studios, a mastering studio, classrooms, a piano lab, 12 individual mix/edit suites, large-ensemble rooms, and individual practice rooms.

The concert hall is now equipped with a JBL Intellivox System. The flagship studio A is outfitted with a 32-channel Neve 5088 recording console. Additionally, the Pro Tools HDX system in Studio A has been augmented with Focusrite RedNet equipment so that ensembles and performers from anywhere in the building can be recorded over an Ethernet network via the Dante protocol, be it in an ensemble room two floors above the studios, in the 2,000-seat performance hall, or in a different studio in the building.

The Dante protocol is an important developing technology in the industry and students are able to work on the front end of this exciting and flexible workflow. Other noteworthy equipment for Studio A includes a 500 Series rack with industry-standard processors from brands such as SSL, API, Earthworks, and others, as well monitors from ATC.

Studio B houses an Avid S6 digital console and is built around a digital multichannel and post-production environment. University of Saint Francis students begin working in Studio B early on, learning the techniques and foundations of digital audio and microphone techniques, as well as necessary production workflows when dealing with multi-channel formats and digital recording.

The Mastering Studio is built with critical listening in mind. Students work in the mastering studio with industry-standard tools, both digital and analog processors, to learn about the art and craft of mastering. All recording studios and ensemble rooms were designed by Haverstick Designs.

Twelve individual mixing and editing suites are built around an interface, MIDI controller, and all the necessary software applications allowing students to complete their assignments. Seven practice rooms are utilized for individual instrument lessons, practicing, and small-ensemble rehearsals.

A large-ensemble room boasts a Steinway grand piano. In addition to being a great-sounding rehearsal space for many different ensembles, all recording studios and ensemble rooms have adjustable acoustic panels.

The university's president, Sister Elise Kriss, said, "The University of Saint Francis is very grateful for the financial and technical support from Chuck and Lisa Surack and Sweetwater that enabled us to develop the state-of-the-art studios, classrooms, and practice spaces now available in our new Music Technology Center in downtown Fort Wayne. We believe the design and quality of these learning spaces is unique, and will benefit our students, faculty, and alumni for years to come. More and more of our graduates are being hired by Sweetwater because of their high-quality education and career preparation."

Rick Cartwright, Dean Emeritus of the School of Creative Arts remarked, "From the very beginning, Sweetwater has been a major supporter and helped guide us in creating a nationally recognized state-of-the-art Music Technology program and facility. They have supported our students by providing scholarships, internships, part-time jobs, and extending invitations to all their in-service training. Our students are fortunate to be five minutes away from Sweetwater's magnificent facility and numerous mentoring opportunities."

Photo #1 – In the USF Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center Auditorium, the newly installed sound system provides a very sophisticated sound dispersion pattern that gives the audience a great balance of all things happening on the stage, regardless of where their seat is. Students not only perform with this sound equipment, but work with it and learn about the technology and how it operates during USF Music Technology courses.

Photo #2 - Students have hands-on experience with the operation of large-scale productions in the USF Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center Auditorium. The Musical Performances, Plays, and Musicals rely on student involvement. Students are the musicians and actors in these events, and are also the support staff for lighting and sound.

Photo #3 - USF Students mixing on the new Neve 5088 Console in Studio A.

Photo #4 – USF Students working in one of several mix/edit suites outfitted with industry software, midi controllers, and necessary tools for a myriad of production assignments and projects.

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About Sweetwater Sound Founded in 1979, Sweetwater is the No. 1 online retailer of music instruments and audio gear in the U. S. The company is respected as the nation's leading retailer serving musicians, recording studios, broadcast, education, and houses of worship. Sweetwater's customers can be found everywhere music is heard and audio is played, broadcast, or recorded, including recording, film, and broadcast studios in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami; in hundreds of thousands of home recording studios; and in schools and churches nationwide. Sweetwater's founding and meteoric growth are built on a knowledgeable and experienced staff, outstanding selection and pricing, and, above all, an unwavering commitment to customer service excellence in every situation. For further information, visit Sweetwater.com.

About the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, Indiana: Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership and School of Creative Arts. In addition to its traditional programs, USF designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. In 2016, the University of Saint Francis expanded its presence to downtown Fort Wayne. USF Downtown houses the university's business and music technology programs while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis campus experience includes 16 athletic programs boasting two individual and three team NAIA national championships, and is recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution. Approximately 2,300 students from a broad geographic region attend USF.

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