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Schools Add Passing Period Music
Many secondary schools are broadcasting music during passing periods. The students seem to enjoy it, although everyone will, at some time, gripe about the song selection. But it is certainly fun to watch the kids walking down the hall singing along with the latest music. Evidence shows “Let It Go” from Frozen had the highest participatory tune in the past few years.
Mechanics
The mechanics are quite simple. Your bell company can simply program going to another source at various points during the day. The most common program has the bell sound at the end of a class and one minute late the music starts. This allows time for the teacher to wrap up any remaining instructions and answer questions if necessary after class ends. Then the music stops one minute before the tardy bell.
Adding music to your school passing period can be as simple as hooking into a tablet or mini computer. If you use a computer, just locate it near the bell system control and feed the music into the system. If your school has a radio station, you should hook a direct feed into your bell system from the radio control room if possible. This eliminates any network or computer downtime issues.
Music Selection
The task of selecting music is not to be taken lightly. You are basically forcing everyone in the building to listen to the music you select and the most difficult task in selecting music is finding songs that will not offend anyone. Country music is almost always about girls and/or beer. Contemporary artists seem to throw in a questionable word just because they can. Even classic rock songs have words that you probably have heard for years and never listened from the perspective of a teen. Be careful.
Speakers and Sound Levels
Realize that the speakers in your school were probably installed when the building was constructed so the sound quality may be suspect. While adequate for announcements utilizing only speaking voices, music is may uncover quality issues with your equipment. Additionally, school speakers are typically a one-size-fits-all proposition meaning the same speaker is used in the hallway, a small classroom, a large classroom, etc. There will be instances where someone must adjust the sound levels in individual speakers, in almost all cases to a lower level. Current speaker models typically have a potentiometer that will allow you to cut the sound level at the individual speaker. Older speakers will require you to install a small pot in the line to the speaker if you wish to control levels downward.
Do You Have the Rights?
There are rights considerations with broadcasting music through multiple speakers. Many districts already pay rights fees for other uses of copyrighted music, please consult your attorney to make certain you understand what is allowed under your present agreements.