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Manhattan School of Music established the Mischa Elman Distance
Learning Center for Musical Performance and Education in 1998. The
first facility of its kind at a major conservatory, it was founded
as a dedicated space for the exploration of applications of videoconferencing
technology for music performance and education. The integration
of this cutting-edge technology in support of music performance
and education came about through the pioneering influence of world-renowned
violinist, conductor, and teacher Pinchas Zukerman, who suggested
the incorporation of this technology to enable music lessons “at
a distance.” Thanks to his vision, regular videoconference
lessons are provided to students enrolled in the Pinchas Zukerman
Performance Program, an extremely rigorous course of study led by
Maestro Zukerman and his teaching associate Patinka Kopec.
In addition to the Zukerman initiative, the program has expanded
to include a host of music distance learning programs, including
private lessons and master classes; “informances,” in
which audiences have the opportunity to meet and learn from composers
and pedagogues; composer colloquiums; clinics and workshops; and
professional development sessions and educational and community
outreach programs, both nationally and internationally. Currently,
the program reaches over 1700 students globally each year.
New technologies and advancements have had a significant impact
on the transmission of music in the virtual environment, and Manhattan
School of Music has been in the forefront of many of these innovations.
Programs are conducted via videoconference utilizing either ISDN
or IP protocols, as well as via Internet2. Through an award from
the United States Department of Commerce, the School is establishing
its own Internet2 connection, which will increase opportunities
for connections with institutions worldwide. Additional funding
from the Verizon Foundation is enabling this construction project.
The Elman Center counts among its resources Polycom VSX 8000 and
Tandberg 500 videoconference systems connected to dual monitor Sharp
Aquos flat panel displays and three digital cameras. For Internet2
programming, the center has a customized Star Valley Solution MPEG-2
codec for high bandwidth music applications. The department has
also recently developed relationships with engineers at Polycom,
the leading audio and video communications manufacturer. Through
this dialogue, the distance learning staff have had the opportunity
to communicate and address the distinct needs that music demands
of the technology, leading to improved software revisions and interface
designs for music performance and education. For further information,
click
here.
The Department of Recording & Distance Learning oversees program
content creation, development, production, and administration and
provides audio and technical support for these conferences.
For further information about this department and its activities,
visit the Distance Learning
page or contact Christianne Orto, Assistant Dean of Distance Learning
& Director of Recording at corto@msmnyc.edu. |
