Digital Music and Composition at Franklin

Submitted by Rick Chinn, ‘65

This was a banner year for the FHS student group, Digital Music and Composition (DMC). Two years ago, the group converted two music practice rooms in the lower basement into a small recording studio, but were hampered by the lack of sufficient equipment and a vision for the future. 

From left to right: Mischka Burr-Johnson, Arlo Halley, Biniam Tesfai, Jr., Sutton Hoffman, Tasi Spruill, Anna Navarrete, Lilia Kochis, Owen Beardsley, Insu Cabiao, Miles Hagopian, Jasper Holton, Chukundi Salisbury,Jr.

In October of 2023, at the FHS Rising Tide event, FAA&F President Deborah Burton approached FHS ’65 grad Rick Chinn, about lending some assistance to DMC to help them put their studio in order and make it usable and productive. Rick says that his starting point for a lifelong career in live sound, recording, and audio equipment manufacturing began at Franklin where he was chair of the Public Address Committee that operated the sound system for assemblies and games. 

 DMC website page

With the assistance of DMC advisor James “Whitney” Parker, and students Chukundi Salisbury, Jr., Owen Beardsley, and Insu Cabiao, a plan was hatched and formed. With the financial assistance of FAA&F, the FHS Alumni Grant fund, and private contributors, the group acquired microphones, cables, stands, monitor speakers, a Mac Mini computer, software, signal processing gear, and a mixing console. Their first project was a music bed for the FHS TV Channel, followed closely by an “album” to be released at the annual Quaker Day Assembly.

Here is a sample of their work:  https://soundcloud.com/dmc-franklin/put-ur-hands-up-interlude?in=dmc-franklin/sets/dmc