Alex Platt

Back in the mid-1980's, the Deerfield popular music scene was thriving. There was never any shortage of student bands or of support for them. A recording studio was installed next to the radio station in the late 80's. Many students and bands used the studio to produce tapes of their music. The studio, at its peak capable of producing Vertical Horizon's (whose lead singer is an alumnus) first album, sadly fell into disrepair over the years, seemingly along with student enthusiasm for playing popular music. Now, there is a notable lack of space on campus where students can play in a band setting without having to move hundreds of pounds of equipment. In fact, the Deerfield Room, where the musicians once would have played as the tape rolled behind the window in the studio, is now a classroom.

Taking on the issues of the lack of band space and the deteriorating condition of the recording studio is Chairman of the Fine Arts Department David Dickinson. He sought to revive the recording studio, making it again into the fully-functional, professional-quality location it once was. Although all powers agreed that the expensive equipment collecting dust in the studio needed to be put to use, some found it regrettable that it would mean taking away one of the few remaining spots on campus where students could play their own music. In search of a place for students, Mr. Dickinson recalled the dilapidated room above the radio station.

For several years, the space above the WGAJ air room was in disuse. But thanks to the efforts of the Physical Plant, the room is being transformed. Having once been an office for radio station business, the room will now be reincarnated as a jam-room open to all musicians.

Its location makes it ideal for a jam-room. Its seclusion will keep the noise from bothering people, but its close proximity to the recording studio gives students the opportunity, within the space of a few minutes, to record a song, listen to it, and even over-dub a solo or a French horn cantos.

Another feature of the jam-room is going to be a large plywood locker where musicians can leave their instruments in the room safely. The combination will be given to the musicians, and they will collectively be responsible for how the room and the equipment are treated.

Many hope that students will begin to take advantage of both the new jam-room and the revamped recording studio. "I mean, how many high schools are there that have full, professional-quality recording studios?" pointed out Mr. Dickinson. "I'm very excited about the opportunity it provides."

The jam-room should be open for jamming by the end of January. The recording studio should be up and running by mid-February.