Music Students Enjoy Access To Advanced Technology With Facebook Gift

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - Music students in Nebraska will soon have more access to state-of-the-art recording technology thanks to a grant from social media giant Facebook.

The Facebook Papillion Data Center announced last month that 18 nonprofits and schools in Sarpy County will receive a total of $210,000 in Community Action Grants, which will fund a Music Lab Workstation for Springfield Platteview Community Schools students.

"All the students 7-12 will get more access to this mini recording studio and music recording station. It is really exciting to offer more of these opportunities," says Paul Ketchen, a music teacher at SPCS.

And with the year-long stress of COVID-19 lockdowns, Ketchen says the timing couldn't be better to offer kids advanced music production.

"This additional access to technology, hardware, recording mics, studio monitors; we'll get more hands-on signal flow experience and a pro-level industry-standard experience," he told CBS affiliate KMTV.

In addition to a Music Lab Workstation, three separate grants that total $44,500 will also allow SPCS to expand its STEAM curriculum through the purchase of graphing calculators and a new laser engraver with related technology, the Omaha World-Herald reports.

Facebook says the grants will improve the Sarpy County community and the lives and careers of these students.

"It is such a unique and vibrant place, to be able to work with them one on one. Really, to just get out of the way and let them do what they do and help them excel is the most rewarding role thing about my role in the company," says Matt Sexton, a community development regional manager with Facebook.

This is the second year that Sarpy County nonprofits and schools have been eligible for the grant program. Applications for next year's grants are set to open on Sept. 14.