Spatial Sound in Schools
For 50 years, Audium has brought sound education to Bay Area youth.
Help us unlock a $10,000 donor match, and launch the next generation of sonic creators!
The Program
Spatial Sound in Schools is a semester-long program offered free to public high schools in partnership with SFUSD and Oakland School District. Students learn methods of deep listening and the art of composing spatial sound. Workshops are held by staff and residency alumni, both in-class and at Audium. By semester’s end, each student composes a site-specific piece shared in a student showcase night at Audium.
Audium offers this program – including staff time and venue use – to public schools at no cost. We loan portable in-class spatial audio kits to each classroom, aiding students in the mixing process. Audium Artist-in-residence mentors also visit the classroom, sharing personal journeys and demonstrating how experimental music can bridge histories and honor community traditions.
For many students, when presenting their work to family and friends at the student showcase, this marks the first time their compositions are experienced in a professional sound environment. The showcase night builds confidence and creates visibility they rarely experience.
Campaign Goals
Help Audium expand its education program to serve more schools and pay more teaching artists:
- If we reach our $5k goal, Audium can reach one more public school this year, expanding our program reach from three schools, to four.
- If we reach our $10k goal, it will in addition enable us to add 1-2 collaborative mixing/mentorship sessions with Audium residency alumni. The Sound in Schools curriculum currently has the capacity to facilitate 5 sessions. Fully funding our $10k goal will enable us to facilitate 6-7 sessions.
“Creating a project at Audium encourages students to connect with their personal histories, cultures, and communities – using sound not just as a medium of expression, but as a way to explore identity and forge meaningful connections.”
“Working with Audium is a dream, opening new worlds of creativity for us. Our students are reimagining their relationship with sound, inspired and excited to work in the one-of-a-kind space.”
LISTEN to SAMPLES
Semester Overview:
Month 1: Intro to Spatial Sound
Students visit Audium for a demonstration workshop, then Audium staff visit the classroom to introduce composition tools.
Month 2: Composing
Using an Audium classroom kit (4 speakers + mixer), students begin composing original pieces in class. Audium alumni visit to offer feedback and mentorship.
Month 3: Mixing & Refining
Two theater sessions with Audium’s technical staff help students optimize their pieces for our sound system, with continued refinement in class between sessions.
Month 4: Showcase
After a final rehearsal, students premiere their work for family, friends, and school staff in a culminating performance night at Audium.
“As an educator, my experience has been that students learn based on a firm grasp of context. We aim to scale their understanding of audio creation and art with an eye toward universal principles- built on a curriculum that is applied, emotionally relevant, intellectually stimulating, and fun.”
“Giving my students the opportunity to showcase their work at Audium has been nothing short of transformative. It gave them a level of validation and visibility they rarely receive, and it set a new standard for what they can imagine for themselves as artists and engineers.”
Audium’s educational programing is made possible in part through the support of the California Arts Council.