New recording studio to give students unique opportunity
Nick Bell, music teacher at Geibel Catholic High School, talks about the advantages of the new recording studio recently constructed at the school.
The space occupied by the studio was formerly three storage rooms used to house music equipment. In early 2014, Favero suggested transforming that space into a recording studio.
Herald-Standard
Geibel Catholic students (from left) Vinny Delsignore, Emily Monahan and Chelsey Ward wire up the microphone in the sound room of the school's newly constructed recording studio.
A multi-channel sound mixer is the latest addition to Geibel's teaching tools.
What was once a dark space for the storage of instruments is now one enlivened with song.
Last month, Geibel Catholic High School unveiled a brand new recording studio that will provide its students an opportunity that few in Fayette County can experience.
Complete with a soundproof recording room, a multi-channel sound mixing board and state-of-the-art recording software, the studio, located in the school’s music classroom, will be used to teach mixing, blending and composing in several of the schools music courses, including music composition and music theory.
Geibel Principal Don Favero said the studio is the only one of its kind in Fayette County schools, explaining that the school is always trying to stay ahead of the curve.
“Our No. 1 objective is to teach gospel — that’s most important,” he said. “But we’re also here to make sure our academics are superb.”
The school, which educates about 160 students in grades 7-12 and offers 17 college course with articulation with four post-secondary schools, has recently made a push to upgrade its facilities and technology to give students a better learning environment, said Favero.
Recent additions include the purchase of new, comfortable classroom furniture and laptop computers for every student.
“Our performing arts program is so strong that this would really set us apart,” he said of the new studio, adding that the school’s performing arts classes are popular among students.
The installation of the studio allows Geibel to offer students a unique experience, added Geibel music instructor Nick Bell.
“It’s something we could offer to our kids and have a different learning experience than in other schools,” said Bell.
The space occupied by the studio was formerly three storage rooms used to house music equipment. In early 2014, Favero suggested transforming that space into a recording studio, Bell recalled.
After sketches were drawn, approval was received and plans were solidified, the school realized the project would carry a hefty price tag — about $50,000 to complete.
Faculty members performed fundraisers, and the school accepted donations from community members to help offset the cost.
The biggest help, however, came from a local auto dealer who, Favero said, bought into the school’s mission and wished to help make the studio a reality.
The studio was christened the C. Harper Recording Studio when the school marked its official opening last month in a ceremony with Cassandra Harper, the daughter of C. Harper Auto Group owner Casey Harper.
Geibel reached out to C. Harper, which was impressed with the school’s values and intentions, Favero said.
“We had to convince (C. Harper) the mission of the school is important, and they believed that,” said Favero.
With funding secured, local contractor Doug Ward, whose two daughters attend the school, began construction in July 2014.
The space will allow students to record audition tapes that they can submit when applying for college, said Favero, noting that the school has several students who plan to pursue careers in music and recording.
Additionally, he said, the school’s various musical groups will utilize the space, and the cast of its spring musical plans to record a soundtrack album in the studio later this year.
The plan, said Favero, is to rent out the space to people seeking to use professional recording equipment.
“That’s our goal, to get other people to come in and use it,” he said.