PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Creaudio is an introductory music tech & production program that teaches participants basic professional & social-emotional skills to turn their creative ideas into marketable products & services—whether behind the board, on stage, or on the web. We are equally excited to offer one-time sessions as well as more regular programming over a given educational term such as after-school or summer programs if not during class time, and we are willing to engage at all levels from pre-K to adult education in either English or Spanish language.

 

In addition to workshops at Gage Park High, Consensus has conducted technology-oriented sessions of this program at the unique live/work community art center we ran near 49th & Western in Chicago, IL USA as well as in satellite locations such as Samuel J. Green Charter School in New Orleans, LA USA and Okupa Visual in Oaxaca, Mexico. We have exposed youth and young adults to real-world interdisciplinary arts incubation environments while giving them an opportunity to explore what audio and tech related role(s) they would like to play in studio & event productions. The focus is all about how we play a certain set of roles within a web/network of peers who create a more powerful and positive organism by working together.

 

In addition to using devices through the partners' program budgets, Consensus crew leverage our community resources (including a wide array of live sound and studio equipment) to give participants access to a comprehensive range of pro audio equipment and expertise. At a moment's notice, we are ready to activate a participants’ current knowledge and interests in ways that expand their creative horizons through live sound, MIDI controllers, music composition, studio recording, DJing, live performance, and event production--from the noncofident novice to the natural virtuoso. Meanwhile we will encourage participants to reflect on the relationship between cultural content in popular media and social ills such as violence, poverty, and racism. For example, participants in our Summer 2015 After School Matters apprenticeships presented their final projects in a social justice oriented culminating event at Consensus, which they produced as a team in collaboration with the program instructors (Joshua Gunty, Courvosier "Hunid Proof" Randolph, Carla Starla, and Ty Lee.

 

21ST CENTURY LEARNING: COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

Although results will differ according to age, location, and frequency, Creaudio empowers participants to discover what motivates them to work independently & overcome obstacles. By exploring various skillsets & choosing a final project that fits their interests, participants will develop positive, productive mindsets rooted in their personal passions. Since Creaudio combines technical lessons with discussions on cultural content & societal impact, our program will encourage teens to consider how their work affects & depends on others. Their exposure & assignments surrounding professional audio and music/event production will teach them how to set & meet goals, communicate effectively, share gear, troubleshoot technical & logistical problems, & achieve more through collaboration.

 

PRIORITIZING VOICE & CHOICE

1) Cultural Content - Over the duration of program, we will continuously examine songs and performances as points of reference, and we will usually let the teens choose these examples.

2) Multiple Devices - Even though we want each participant to learn the basics on each hardware and software device under study, teens will be allowed to focus on the devices that most resonate with them.

3) Final Projects - These will be very open ended to allow ample room for teens to choose the types of products and services that want to produce for the culminating event.