The BRIT School Installs Custom Canford Solution

The BRIT School is a one of a kind Performing Arts and Technology School.

It is an independent state funded City College for the Technology of the Arts, dedicated to education and vocational training for the performing arts, media, art and design and the technologies that make performance possible.

The school provides a high quality education for 14 to 19-year-olds through a specialist curriculum. Performing and creative arts with their related technologies are at its core and contribute to a curriculum aimed at developing the whole person.

From September 2017, The BRIT School will deliver a new Music Technology course, designed for creative, original musicians who want to learn more about the world of technology and how it relates to music performance and composition.

Although the new course makes use of many of the schools existing facilities, it has necessitated the repurposing of an existing classroom into a new, state of the art computer suite, whilst making sure that it could still be used as a standard teaching room.

Assistant Director of Music & Course Leader for Music Technology, Chris McInnes commented: "The problem that we needed to solve was how to make use of the limited space available whilst maximising the equipment choices for the students. We were committed to installing Ableton Push controllers at every station but needed to have the space free for note-taking or other items when they were not in use.

"After researching studio furniture and pull-out rack trays we realised that there was no off-the-shelf solution suitable for our needs, and this is where Canford came in. Our music technician discussed our needs with one of Canford's representatives – Kim – and she helped us put together a custom solution with a specific size of pull-out shelf that would house the Push controller. Canford were great at communicating with us regarding our needs and sent us a prototype to do final checks with – after deciding that we needed to make further changes this was easily accomplished.

"We felt confident that our requests were being listened to and acted upon swiftly – as there were many other elements to this large install it was comforting to know that this part was being looked after by professionals, and the bespoke solution that Canford designed and built for us has worked superbly, allowing us to maximise the space available whilst giving the students easy access to what they need. This new room is now the envy of the rest of the school, and Canford's input and expertise has been a great help in getting the new course off to a flying start."

Canford manufacture a wide range of high-quality timber products to include 19" Rack Pods and Lecterns, many of which designed directly as a result of client feedback.

Kim Lamb, Canford Accounts Manager, concluded: "Many of today's studio and commercial audio installations call for functional racking solutions which are also aesthetically pleasing. Canford Rack Pods offer exactly that. With specific requirements, it was clear that we'd have to manufacture a bespoke product for The BRIT School, and as I have direct contact with our cabinetmaking team who are used with designing custom solutions and ideas which evolve, the process was straight forward. We produced a prototype and following final modifications, were able to meet the tight delivery requirements to fit in with the installation schedule."

More information can be found via Canford's website. Custom joinery enquiries should be directed to [email protected].

Image: The BRIT School.

www.canford.co.uk

This article also features in the November edition of Broadcast Film & Video.

(JP)