Groups partner to improve audio.
By: Josh Appelbaum
The Cranbury Education Foundation and the Parent-Teacher Organization are planning to install a new sound system in the Cranbury School auditorium, just in time for March’s musical, "Into the Woods Jr."
Russo Music Center of Hamilton is putting together a package for audio components, mixers, speakers and wiring for the auditorium, and will install the system early next month, with most of the cost being covered by the PTO and Education Foundation. The musical will be held March 31 and April 2. Specific show times have not yet been announced.
The PTO and Education Foundation will share the $20,000 cost of the project and Cranbury School will pay $1,500 for additional wiring and installation of the system.
Part-time music teacher Tommy Nichols will operate the mixing board, which will be used for assemblies, musicals and choral performances.
Jane Holland, the PTO’s president, said the two groups are investing in a sound system because the auditorium the 1957 section’s old gym will be used exclusively for PTO-sponsored performances and school purposes.
"Since the PTO pays for all of the assemblies, its good to have our own sound system," Ms. Holland said. "Many groups have their own equipment, but some don’t, so it really helps attract (some groups)."
The PTO had been renting equipment for choral performances and musicals. Ms. Holland said the current system is between 10 and 15 years old.
Linda Schilling, a member of the education foundation’s board of trustees, said the sound system project is part of an ongoing effort to provide money to the school for things not in the school budget. Ms. Schilling said Chief School Administrator Carol Malouf, a liaison to the education foundation came to the group and expressed the need for a new sound system. "I think its something that the school really needs and something that the entire community will benefit from," Ms. Schilling. "It will be nice for parents to come and see their children in plays and at concerts and graduations and be able to hear them clearly. It will also make the old gym more like an auditorium."
Ms. Schilling said proceeds from the March 12 education foundation-sponsored Craft Show will go to pay for its share of the sound system.At Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, School Business Administrator Brian DeLucia said there is some newer equipment, mainly speakers, that is salvageable and will be refurbished and used in the new system.
He said Russo Music Center is aware of the upcoming heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) project, slated for the summer, and has agreed to come back in the fall to do re-installations and adjustments to ceiling speaker units.
Ms. Holland said the sound and HVAC renovations will greatly enhance audiences’ experiences.
"We use this auditorium for many purposes, and anyone that attended (last year’s) musical knew at some point we’d have to replace the sound system," Ms. Holland said. "Since we have some events in the summertime and a fall variety show, having air conditioning in the room will certainly be nice."

