Maine-Endwell High School is giving students new opportunities to explore the music industry with the opening of its brand new music production studio.
The district cut the ribbon Tuesday on the more than $700,000 facility, which features professional grade recording equipment, sound boards, recording software and acoustically treated walls.
Students will have the opportunity to learn how to record live instruments, create beats, mix audio and gain hands on experience with music production technology.
The school also welcomed back 2010 graduate and Nashville based performer Tezza, who has accumulated more than four million streams on Spotify. Her performance gave students the opportunity to record a live musician and later mix the audio.
Maine-Endwell High School music production teacher Kurtis Parker says the investment reflects the district's commitment to expanding music education.
"It's really encouraging to see the district really rally behind us in all of the things we want to do." Parker said. "Adding music production has really allowed students to be involved with the music program if they're not taking band, chorus or orchestra."
The music production program is now in its third year and is also being offered through SUNY Broome's Fast Forward program which allows students to earn college credits toward an audio engineering degree.
Officials say that the new studio will provide students with opportunities to develop technical skills while also exploring potential careers in the music industry.