DANCE, MUSIC ARE HEART OF IT NEW COC BUILDING READY FOR ITS DEBUT.Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer VALENCIA - The energy-efficient lights are burning. The bamboo floors Bamboo floors are manufactured from the bamboo plant. The majority of today's bamboo flooring products originate in China and other portions of Asia. The species of bamboo used for flooring is commonly known as "Moso". are ready for pouncing pounce 1 v. pounced, pounc·ing, pounc·es v.intr. 1. To spring or swoop with intent to seize someone or something: , and the acoustics acoustics (ək  `stĭks) [Gr.,=the facts about hearing], the science of sound, including its production, propagation, and effects. are so good,
you'll never hear the tuba tuba (t`bə) [Lat.,=trumpet], valved brass wind musical instrument of wide conical bore. player rehearsing in the next room.
At least those are the hopes of the students in music and dance eager to try out the newest addition to the College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. , the Music/Dance Building. Adjacent to the college's Vital Express Center for the Performing Arts, the building will be dedicated during ribbon-cutting ceremonies Tuesday. Fronted by a giant curved glass wall that lines the dance studio, the building will be home to cutting-edge instruction, some of which was never imagined when the college was built 35 years ago. ``We're exploring a whole new side of music,'' Michael McMahan, dean of fine arts and humanities, said while taking visitors on a tour of the electronic composition lab. There, each workstation has a computer keyboard, an electronic keyboard An electronic keyboard or digital keyboard is a type of keyboard instrument. Its sound is generated or amplified by one or more electronic devices. Modern usage of the term "electronic keyboard" typically describes a type of inexpensive synthesizer marketed to , a video screen, speakers and the latest software to teach composition for movies and video games See video game console. . The plethora of electronic keyboards begs the question - what happens when the power goes out and students can't hear themselves play? ``We will have a traditional piano in here, we promise,'' McMahan joked. Plans include moving the baby grand piano from the staff dining room into the building, with a few more acoustic instruments. In the dance studio, ballet barres were lined up near the curved window, waiting for dancers to test their flex. The 2,176-square-foot studio will augment a smaller studio that will continue to operate in the physical education department for dance, aerobics, tai chi Tai Chi Definition T'ai chi is a Chinese exercise system that uses slow, smooth body movements to achieve a state of relaxation of both body and mind. and yoga classes. ``In the fall, we will test out what works and what doesn't in this space,'' McMahan aid. ``Everyone is going to be using this room. We'll be holding our next dance concert here.'' The only thing missing from the walls was a sign warning visitors that spiked or high-heeled shoes High-heeled shoes are shoes which raise the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. When both the heel and the toes are raised equal amounts, as in a platform shoe, it is generally not considered to be a "high-heel". are strictly forbidden on the bamboo floor. Upstairs, practice rooms for individuals and small groups were being readied for their debut. ``Again, all the rooms are acoustically isolated,'' McMahan said, walking into a large room dedicated to instrumental music. ``It's not band,'' he said, correcting a visitor to the industrial-designed room, with sound baffles A sound baffle is a construction or device which reduces the strength (level) of airborne sound. Sound baffles are a fundamental tool of noise mitigation, the practice of minimizing noise pollution or reverberation. cleverly disguised as beams. ``Band is for high school. We have strings in this ensemble.'' In the choir room, a large circle in the center of the room contains a smaller circle that one could surmise is the ``sweet spot'' of the room where the sound would be the best. ``That could be,'' McMahan said. ``But it's actually something the conceptual architect came up with. It's just a design piece.'' McMahan was exceptionally proud of the acoustics in this room, pointing out the absence of fluorescent light hum. ``It's acoustically neutral.'' Both the choir and instrumental rehearsal rooms are suitable for recording, which will facilitate collaboration between disciplines. ``We've had two shots in the arm in the last year,'' McMahan said ``In the last year, the performing arts center A performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is a multi-use performance space that can be adapted for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. came on board, which gave us an opportunity to showcase a lot of talent in our programs. ``We've always had the foundation for a terrific performing arts program. Now these buildings allow us to go in new directions to serve not just our students but the entire community. ``Now, we're looking to build an appreciation for the arts and offer credentialed programs and degrees so people can apply their love of the arts into a vocation.'' Carol Rock, (661) 257-5252 carol.rock(at)dailynews.com IF YOU GO A concert and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Music/Dance Building will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, . Bring picnic dinner, lawn chairs, blankets. Some food will be available for purchase. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 2) Sue Bozman, dean of communications and marketing, above, checks out the bamboo floors in the new music building. This recording studio, left, is part of the new music and dance building set to open Tuesday at the College of the Canyons. David Crane/Staff Photographer Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
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