Contact: Maridith Geuder
The 13 pianos in a new Mississippi State laboratory have the look and feel of traditional keyboards and can generate sounds as big as a concert grand. Yet, these baker's dozen share more in common with computers than with their stringed counterparts.
Drawing on the latest in digital technologies, the Roland Contemporary Keyboards also produce the sounds of drums, flutes, strings, brass, organ, bells, and a huge variety of other acoustic and synthesized music. The equipment is loaned through a collegiate program sponsored by Los Angeles-based Roland and its distributor, Morrison Brothers Music of Jackson.
"The loan program provides us with top-quality instruments that introduce students to the very latest electronic technology," said Jackie Edwards-Henry, coordinator of keyboard programs in MSU's music education department.
In Edwards-Henry's group piano class, both music education and other academic majors now learn to play at their own levels of development. Through a teacher-control center, she interacts individually with each keyboardist, none of whom can hear others playing.
"This lab allows me to group students for projects and provide training in techniques used in an actual recording studio," she said. "Students can learn orchestration using the literally hundreds of sounds at their disposal."
Because digital technologies change constantly, the loan program provides an effective way to ensure that students have access to top-of-the-line digital technologies, she added.
"Students love the experience, especially since they're using instruments currently commercially available in a rapidly changing field," Edwards-Henry said. "Both the Roland Corp. and Morrison Brothers have shown a real commitment to music education at Mississippi State," she said.
The first MSU students to study in the new electronic laboratory include [by hometown]:
ARCOLA--Senior Elissa Cope, a music education major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Cope.
GOOSE CREEK, S.C.--Sophomore Alyssa R. Murphy, a music education major and the daughter of Marc Murphy and Sherry Murphy, and freshman Marcus Washington, a liberal arts major and son of LaTonya Starks.
JACKSON, Tenn.--Sophomore Michael Currin, a business information systems major and son of Mr. and Mrs. Hal Currin.
KENNER, La.--Sophomore Laura M. Rodemann, a music education major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rodemann.
LOUISVILLE--Senior Tara Yarbrough, a music education major and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yarbrough.
MERIDIAN--Junior Robert M. "Bo" Jeffares, a music education major and son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Jeffares.
METAIRIE, La.--Senior Michelle J. Dicharry, a music education major. [Parents not listed.]
SHANNON--Freshman Benjamin L. Mason, a music education major and son of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Mason.
STARKVILLE--Sophomore L. Louise Massa, a music education major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Massa.
STEENS--Senior Juanita C. Proffitt, a music education major and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Proffitt.
TRUSSVILLE, Ala.--Sophomore Andrea K. Browning, a music education major and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tracy Browning.
VERNON, Ala.--Sophomore Kiki Kilby, a music education major and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kilby.
For questions or information about this page, contact Maridith Geuder.
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