Proposal

Narrative

The need for digital instruments is becoming more popular in the professional music scene, as such devices can provide a portable and space saving option for diminishing performance venue sizes. With the newly incorporated Musical Theater area of the School of Arts, such instruments are in demand now more than ever. Purchasing these instruments will allow music students to understand the technology inside of the MalletKat Instrument, as well as MIDI data transfer, Signal routing with amplification, and programming instruments for performances. It will also allow for performances of modern repertoire that utilizes audio samples instead of traditional musical sounds, which the Concert Percussion Ensemble has already began to attempt in previous semesters. With students being utilized in the Musical Theater area for performances in venues that cannot accommodate the traditional musical instruments, this will also give students a chance to perform in ways they haven't been able to previously. This will also reach students in every ensemble that needs access to percussion equipment but cannot transport such instruments in ways such as off campus outreach (Band o Rama in Mizner Park) and performances at the Kaye Auditorium and the Burrow where normal instrument use is limited.

Facilities

These devices are portable and would be stored in AL 260 when not in use, but no renovations are needed to house such instruments.

Hardware Requirements

No challenge to OIT standards. These are musical instruments. Hardware is simply the devices we are acquiring (that run off their own internal sound devices) and the portable amplification to hear the instruments.

Software Requirements

Software is internal to the musical instruments and DOES NOT require any additional assistance from OIT.

Personnel Costs

NONE, acquiring these digital instruments would allow for seamless integration into future classes and performances with ensembles.

Other Costs

Additional costs needed for protective cases to store the devices, as well as audio cables to connect the devices to the audio interface and amplification system.

Timeline

Upon purchasing of the equipment, use of the technology would be ongoing with all ensembles at the university. Performances beginning in Spring 2024 could utilize the instruments, such as the FAU Concert Percussion Ensemble concert in April 2024. From there, such devices would be used with the Musical Theater department, Commercial Music Ensembles, as well as the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Orchestra.

Sustainability

Instruments have a great lifespan (some have been proven to be operational for over 20 years) and will continue to be utilized by musicians on campus for as long as there is a need for music.

Resource Matching

N/A

Implementing Organization

The music department will be implementing the use of these instruments at no additional cost to the university.