Integrating History into the Modern Audio Curriculum

Chair:
Scott Burgess, University of Colorado Denver - Denver, CO, USA
Panelists:
Gabe Herman, The University of Hartford, The Hartt School - Hartford, CT, USA
Susan Schmidt Horning, St. John's University
Jessica Thompson, Jessica Thompson Audio - Berkeley, CA, USA

Audio engineers know the value of an old microphone and understand the uses of classic equipment and techniques. However, many current audio students still need to be connected with the rich history of our craft. This panel of experienced educators will discuss how to incorporate history into the curriculum of audio schools. Several approaches to a stand-alone history class will be discussed, as well as methods of including history in survey courses. Among these are the use, maintenance, and repair of historical equipment; examination of documents relating to audio history; preservation and restoration of older recordings; and utilization of recording techniques from bygone days. Our ultimate goal is to inspire students to take this history to heart by incorporating it into their present-day careers.