Press "Enter" to skip to content

Hilltop Studios brings the music, opens shop

Hilltop Studios co-presidents, Dean Scott and Charlie Jacobs, and Music Department Chairperson David Vroman gather for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Hilltop Studios recording complex. Photo by Anna Foley.
Hilltop Studios co-presidents, Dean Scott and Charlie Jacobs, and Music Department Chairperson David Vroman gather for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Hilltop Studios recording complex. Photo by Anna Foley.

The ribbon was cut last Friday for Hilltop Studios, a recording facility for Bradley students. The studio was unveiled through an announcement outside of Constance Hall by members of the music department and co-president of Hilltop Studios, Scott Dean.

Hilltop Studios is intended to handle any type of audio needs that students have, according to Dean, a senior music business major.

The physical studio itself is located in the lower level of University Hall.

The studio is run by the Hilltop Studios student organization, which is currently comprised of 14 students who meet once a week. Dean said the studio is currently running on Logic audio software, but plans to have the latest version of Pro Tools within the next few months.

“It’s a collaborative thing and we all come together and help each other writing music and coming up with parts,” senior music business major and co-president of Hilltop Studios Charlie Jacobs said.
Jacobs said the group meets on Tuesdays at the studio.

“On a normal day we learn how to mic certain instruments,” Jacobs said. “[Members] bring in their own projects that they’ve been working on.”

The announcement to open Hilltop Studios was led by music department chairperson David Vroman. In his speech, he spoke about the positives of working with a group of students.

“In music, we know students learn from collaboration and working together,” Vroman said. “They do that with all the people around them. Hilltop [Studios] is a result of a lot of collaboration, and the project involved a lot of people.”

Additionally, Dean of Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts Jeffrey Huberman spoke at the event. Huberman stressed the importance of Hilltop Studios being on campus and the benefits it brings.

“Music is probably the most ubiquitous entertainment that the world shares,” Huberman said. “Hilltop Studios is one of the facilities that is crucial, that is central to all of you and the people who come after you from generations to be able to make music and give it to the world. That’s how important this facility is.”

Jacobs said students are encouraged to try out what the studio has to offer. Any student interested in using the facility can book a session for $20 per hour to assist in any audio endeavors.

As for senior actuarial science major Brent Murphy, he said he sees how Hilltop Studios can serve his friends who are developing music.

“I have a few buddies in the Jazz band that are really interested in getting together to record some stuff,” Murphy said. “So that would be a great thing just to go to a local studio where we can pay a pretty reasonable price to make music.”

To schedule a session, students can email hilltopstudiosbu@mail.bradley.edu. For updates and more information, students can find Hilltop Studios on Twitter @hilltopstudios or on Facebook at Hilltop Studios-BU Recording Arts Studio.

Copyright © 2023, The Scout, Bradley University. All rights reserved.
The Scout is published by members of the student body of Bradley University. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the University.