Almost all the schools we work with have a grand auditorium space, talented and engaged music teachers on staff, but they lack any sort of PA or sound system to support them with movie nights, assemblies, school plays, talent shows and so on. Even the graduation ceremonies are barely audible!

And as was the case with one of the schools we upgraded, their sound was so inaudible that they had to split up assemblies and ceremonies into multiple smaller events just so the smaller crowds could hear (better) !

What most schools have ended up over the years is typically a small powered speaker near the stage that is attached to a microphone and some sort of Bluetooth connection to stream sound from a phone or laptop a laptop. No one in the back can hear anything and when proud families come to watch their students in some sort of school play or show, the disappointment is palpable when they are unable to hear anything.

In contrast, PCF has found that by installing sound systems and movie screens in school auditoriums, the music teachers thrive, parents are engaged in putting on plays, the kids build lifelong memories, and the families are beaming with pride during the shows.

For about $5,000 to $7,000 in equipment expenses, PCF has been able to transform auditoriums by putting in sound systems. This entails the following components:

  • Purchasing and installing new main speakers flanking the stage.
  • Purchasing and installing “fill speakers” for larger rooms.
  • Purchasing and installing a movie screen (powered to raise/lower).
  • Purchasing and installing a rack cabinet with a door that locks.
  • Purchasing an amplifier to drive the speakers.
  • Purchasing a sound mixer (board or line mixer).
  • Purchasing a Bluetooth receiver (to allow teachers to stream sound.
  • Purchasing microphones, lavaliere microphones (for plays), microphone stands, cabling.
  • Purchasing and installing LED stage lighting bulbs.
  • Removing old speakers.
  • Upgrading electric to ensure we have grounded outlets.
  • Running wires out of reach of students.
  • Securing purchased equipment to prevent theft.

Please check out what we did at Roosevelt if you would like to learn more about what’s involved in upgrading a system from the ground up.