What to put instead of the Crown Expo Center

Downtown is all about art. I didn't like the expo center being downtown for parking, and it just looked like a jail in its architectural style, especially being right across from the courthouse.

Would the Experience Music Project Museum want an offshoot on this side of the country? Maybe something as artistically interesting and interactive as that could go where the Crown Expo Center was scheduled to go. It is really affordable, highly artistic, and might give those in crime a second chance to reinvent themselves as musicians, artists, or at least give lessons. The nice thing about that was that it had built-in lessons for instruments and practice rooms. Faye really had a big live music scene with local bands, so they're out there, but I think with COVID and some restaurants closing, there isn't so much of a venue or place to find them and such.

Concerts

This place could also be an amazing place for music-based concerts, like Baby/Kid Raves and TV Show performances like Teletubbies, The Wiggles, whatever other new stars are about; Be used as a large theater room for music specific documentary showings (like Gaga: Five Foot Two, Justin Beiber's Our World, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck). I love how niche the Cameo is, and this is a different sort of niche. I loved the wall of screams and had fun adding my own, such a different sort of selfie experience. I think it could be taken in a more metal direction.

ChatGPT took the 'Wall of Screams' and made it more literal: A sound station where you change vocals. I do touch on something like this with incorporating electronic music production and DJ'ing later in this post, but this is worth noting as something different. Having a lot of presets and maybe even an introductory AI-based or recorded intro like with three prompts for different things (say "Welcome to Segra Stadium!" in your best announcer voice and it will change it with the reverb and such to sound pro; Scream into the microphone and have it turned into a metal type scream (maybe AI puts music and some lyrics behind it to go with the type of scream (male and deep, female and high, etc.); and something about whispering, or maybe sing a few notes and hear your voice with autotune, and again with harmony layers). You could also be recorded saying a phrase and have it be a sample in an AI song. Then you can try some of the presets yourself and use AI to make a quick song. ChatGPT also said 'reverb tunnel' which sounds like something cool to walk through. I took a whole class on using a microphone that has us recording in different rooms and learning reverb and other effects, so this is a great introductory level...well not a full course, but definitely a great introduction to recording basics for music producers anyway. It could easily incorporate the full course, though, from how to hook up a microphone to a pc and macbook, to recording, to manipulating the recording. That was pretty much the whole thing.

Graffiti Wall

Maybe it could also incorporate a graffiti wall, where people can practice their graffiti or learn how. I feel like graffiti is so punk and hip hop. Maybe doodling is a little more punky than graffiti, but I just think the art form is brazen and rebellious, like a visual form of how a guitar solo sounds. This would create a job as a graffiti instructor, and maybe a few would be needed if a regular stream of people wanted to learn the style, or if lessons were included in a higher package of tickets. It's a new take on how people would stick their entrance sticker on a wall or two by the exit, which could also be done to keep a 'tradition' going, but this would be a refreshed, original, modern version of the West Coast EMP.

It could also be done in a VR sort of way. ChatGPT recommended having people vote for their favorites and have those used in some way. Some lessons could be different album covers in different styles, like NIrvana in block lettering and Cardi B in calligraphy. Digitizing the best ones and putting them in a digital picture frame on loop serves as a sort of time capsule and art showcase also! Instructors could have "tag+teach" sessions, where they teach a new tagging style and everyone follows along on their own panels. There could also be "Graffiti Jams" that have a themed workshop like band slogans, album artwork, or protest slogans. The graffiti wall would be an ever-evolving art piece where people are constantly learning and contributing artwork — a living soundtrack of visuals, written in spray and style, often based on sound.

Gaming and Music

Speaking of, I do like to incorporate gaming and music. I grew up playing guitar hero, and I always wanted to try out Rocksmith. I think it's worth incorporating a few VR rooms that have to do with playing musical instruments. Beyond Guitar Hero and Rocksmith, there could be stations for other rhythm-based games like Beat Saber or retro hits like Parappa the Rapper, showing how games have shaped music literacy in surprising ways. A VR studio could let guests ‘conduct’ a symphony (where their movements change how the symphony sounds), DJ a nightclub set, or perform in a virtual stadium — immersive musical roleplay that’s fun and educational. Google has a lot of super fun, cute, silly experimental games that have to do with music, and they would be well-worth incorporating on little touch screens of their own! Kids especially would really get a kick out of them, but they're fun for everybody.

If it is a tower type of building, there could be a top part that is a gaming museum and the bottom part is the music museum.

Game music and the creation of it deserve their own space, in part to show just how many types of music — and careers — exist beyond the spotlight. Most people think of singer-songwriters or band members, but there’s a whole ecosystem behind the sound: game composers, sound designers, scoring mixers, soundtrack curators, and more. Each exhibit section could highlight careers tied to its theme — sound techs in the concert hall area, editors in the documentary room, producers in the recording studio. Interactive screens could feature behind-the-scenes footage, personal interviews, and even mini challenges where visitors try balancing audio levels, syncing music to a trailer, or mixing ambient game loops. It makes music feel less like a mystery and more like a map of possibilities.

Less popular genres

I also hope that some less-popular or underrepresented genres are explored — especially bluegrass and jazz. They’re the roots of so much of today’s music, but often left out of the spotlight. Icons like Bill Monroe, Ella Fitzgerald, and John Coltrane deserve their own immersive space. Visitors could learn about the evolution of improvisation, try out unique instruments like banjos or upright basses, and see how jazz and bluegrass shaped entire genres.

Being in the South, country music should also get the love it deserves. From folk ballads to stadium anthems, it’s a genre built on storytelling. This section could explore famous artists, songwriting traditions, and even showcase song charts from each decade. Guests could try their hand at twangy vocals, learn what makes a great country lyric, or build their own folk-style narrative in a writing booth. I'd mostly like to try those super country instruments. That's the most special thing and very different from the EMP in Seattle.

Pop Section

Then there’s pop — the endlessly evolving, genre-blending, hook-heavy world that brings people together. A pop section could break down the anatomy of a hit: the verse-chorus structure, the emotional lift, the repetition that gets stuck in your head. It could have remix stations, sound booths for testing out song ideas, or even a space for exploring how TikTok, memes, and virality shape modern hits.

To keep things fresh, this section could rotate in new albums as they launch. For example, when a new Taylor Swift album drops, there could be listening parties, music video premieres, and even bracelet exchange stations that mimic the concert experience. Visitors could participate in themed crafts, write a poem together based on a juicy song storyline, or turn their lyrics into a Taylor-style AI-generated track. It becomes a celebration — not just of music, but of belonging.

Hands-On Music Theory Learning

A really great hands-on section would be learning to read music by playing. Having something that can teach (if you don't know) and quiz (if you do know or just learned) about notes, note types, and playing them. This is a good first stop before getting to the instrument lessons. This is an equivalent elementary music class with levels like Auralia and Musition in rhythm tapping, note recognition, instrument recognition, sight reading, meter recognition, pitch imitation, pitch tapping, pulse tapping, interval comparison, identifying concepts, and maybe even so far back as classical composers and time periods. It would be great to cover a history of music in its layout. Not a lot of space would have to be used to show it, but seeing a phonograph and record player, and hearing the differences between them and what we have today would be interesting for sure! I think it would be great if the makers of Auralia and Musition helped to bring each exercise to life with an instrument or handheld way to do the exercises that makes it more interactive than simply tapping a space bar. Like perhaps you have to hit two sticks together to keep the beat (we used those in my Kindergarten and 1st grade classes, but they'd be fun for anyone). This would be something visitable for mini classes, like mommy and me, homeschool, or just as after school lessons for someone who is interested in music.

For people who are interested in music but don't know what they would want to play, I think this would make a great hub for any and every instrument and their teachers! I'm very inspired by the instrument room at Raleigh Christian Academy that had SO many different instruments: there was even a full size harp!

I expanded this idea and the rest of the ideas in the post with my ChatGPT-based assistant named Emit, so my voice changes from here because it is our work!:)

One of the most valuable sections could be a hands-on Music Literacy Zone — a place where visitors learn to read music by playing, not just memorizing. This could be an interactive blend of apps like Auralia and Musition brought to life with physical instruments and motion. Before diving into full instrument lessons, guests could tap rhythms with mallets, sing back pitches into a mic, or match note values by placing blocks on a musical staff. Singing apps like Simply Sing could be utilized here. Much like how ABCMouse has a license that can be used for free at libraries or accessed at home for free by users, the museum could have the same: apps like Simply Piano, Auralia, Musition, Simply Sing, Simply Guitar, and Melodics available for free in the museum, or available for home play with a yearly or monthly pass subscription.

For beginners, the space could introduce basics like note names, rhythms, and intervals through fun mini-games. For more advanced visitors, it could quiz sight reading, interval recognition, and ear training — leveling up in difficulty like a music version of Duolingo. Gamified music education could even include “badge earning” or progress tracking across visits. Instead of just tapping a space bar for rhythm tapping, these exercises could be more physical: hitting rhythm sticks, clapping to a pulse, or using color-coded bells or boomwhackers to match pitch. These ideas would work great for young learners, but honestly, they’re just as satisfying for adults. This zone could host “Mommy & Me” classes, homeschool music days, or after-school drop-in sessions as well as teen time and adult learners. An interactive area that teaches scales, both sung and played, as well as vocal music theory is vital. I think we should not forget the voice as an instrument!

Finally, for those curious about playing but unsure where to begin, a Try-All-Instruments Room could be a musical playground. I still remember being inspired by the instrument room at Raleigh Christian Academy — there were so many unusual instruments, even a full-sized harp! This space could be just like that: a welcoming hub full of strings, brass, percussion, and keys, with visiting teachers on rotation to guide and inspire. Whether you’re 5 or 55, it would be a space to explore, experiment, and maybe fall in love with the instrument you didn’t know you needed. Music theory should be fun and hands-on — and here, it truly can be. No matter your age or stage, your musical path belongs here.

Music Through the Decades

Nearby, a compact Music History Station could walk visitors through eras and technologies — from Gregorian chants to synthpop. A phonograph next to a record player, cassette deck, CD player, iPod, and modern streaming interface would show not just how we’ve heard music, but how we’ve lived with it. Reading Reddit users’ stories about older devices made me feel like I’d lived through those awkward moments myself — like trying to jog while tethered to a skipping CD player. So the more modern displays could feature little stories like that — quick quotes from real users about how music tech shaped their everyday lives. Visitors could spin vinyl, crank a gramophone, or explore side-by-side sound comparisons to hear how formats have shaped tone and texture. Short audio samples, tactile timelines, and even a quiz game where you guess the decade based on production style would help bring the story to life.

For a deeper dive, the museum could feature immersive Decade Zones — rooms or alcoves themed by era, starting perhaps with the 1920s (when recording and broadcasting took off), and going forward by decade: '30s swing, '40s jazz and war ballads, '50s rock and doo-wop, '60s folk and psychedelia, '70s disco and punk, and so on into modern pop, EDM, hip hop, and viral music culture. Each zone would blend fashion, dance, technology, and social context with sound.

A “Learn the Dance” corner in each zone could work like a mini Just Dance setup — up to four people, motion-tracked, no clunky sensors. Visitors could try the Charleston in the '20s room, a sock hop twist in the '50s room, or go full Britney/NSYNC in the 2000s zone. Dance steps could be taught in short loops or challenge rounds — great for families, teens, and friend groups.

Concert footage, music videos, and archival newsreels would play on loop in each space, surrounding you in the moment. Walls could feature band posters, record sleeves, political headlines, and even ambient lighting and scents — smoky '60s clubs, neon '80s pop, wood-paneled '70s basements. It shouldn’t feel like you're looking at the past, but stepping into it.

VR Zone: Stepping into the Music

Imagine a VR zone where you don’t just watch a music video — you’re in it. Visitors could lip-sync in the spotlight, play a guitar solo on a virtual stage, or direct the camera from the control booth. From disco glitter to pop perfection, you could step into the scene, capture your moment, and share it with the world. Paired with in-person dress-up zones, selfie stations, and group photo booths, each decade becomes more than something to learn about — it's something to experience. Whether you're twisting through the '50s, remixing the '90s, or starring in a pop video from 2024, the goal is the same: to experience music not just as a sound, but as a moment in time you can move through, dress up in, and carry with you.

Gift Shop: Take the Music Home

No experience like this would be complete without a rockin’ gift shop — not just racks of T-shirts, but a curated collection of musical artifacts, fashion, and tools of expression. While I don’t recall seeing one at EMP (or maybe I was too dazzled to remember), I do remember finding a piano belt with an aviation-style buckle at a shop in Seattle — and it stuck with me. That’s the vibe this shop could channel: unique, wearable, unforgettable.

The shelves could be stocked with things you can’t just find at the mall: black and yellow carved leather guitar straps like the ones someone I knew used to wear onstage — real quality, real soul. Light-up guitar picks with customizable settings (always-on, strum-activated, color cycling, lightning-flash strobe) would thrill musicians and kids alike.

Local artists could create one-of-a-kind jewelry inspired by different genres — maybe a punk-inspired ear cuff, or a soft indie-folk locket that holds a miniature lyric scroll. Touring bands might even stop here before a gig to find something bold and original to wear on stage.

The shop could also carry exclusive drops from big artists' merch lines — or better yet, pieces from other artists' gift shops, like a curated music-themed global boutique. A wall of artist keychains, guitar pick necklaces, patch sets, enamel pins — tiny tokens from big dreams.

Musical instruments would round out the experience — not just the usual fare, but uncommon, giftable instruments: hand drums, ukuleles in wild finishes, steel tongue drums, high-quality mini harps, and yes — kazoos. A few higher-end pieces could also be available, like autographed gear behind glass, or an annual silent auction of rare, signed items.

The book section could be its own destination. Think handcrafted coffee table books with textured pages, lyric visualizers, pull-out artwork, and extras like CDs or vinyl tucked inside. Some could be hand-bound by chains of collaborating artists, each edition one of a kind. There’d be shelves of titles on musicology, songwriting, production, lyricism, and the psychology of music — books for those who want to go deeper after they leave the exhibits.

Whether you’re looking for something flashy, handmade, wearable, playable, or deeply thoughtful — this shop wouldn’t just sell souvenirs. It would sell story.

The Practice Wing

At the entrance, you read this:

The Practice Wing: Where Wonder Begins Again

At first, everything feels new.

A fresh instrument in your hands.

An unfamiliar chord.

A sound you didn’t know you could make.

But over time, something shifts.You think you know what’s possible.You think you’ve already heard what there is to hear.

That’s when real music begins.

Here, you’re not just learning pieces.You’re learning yourself through sound.You’re not just repeating—You’re returning with deeper hands, fuller heart, sharper ears.

Let go of the idea that originality means being first.Sometimes, it means playing the same notein a way that only you can.

Let go of the idea that wonder must always be new.Sometimes, it’s what waits for youafter the 100th try.

These rooms are not for perfection.They’re for becoming.They’re for trying, breaking, reimagining, and coming home.

Welcome to the practice wing.You’re not just practicing music.You’re practicing wonder.

And for the doors, here are a few quotes you could stencil above each one—little sparks to keep the mind open:

🎵 Door Quotes:

• “Wonder doesn’t always look like lightning. Sometimes, it’s just returning with new hands.”

• “Play not to impress, but to remember who you are.”

• “Originality is often just truth, played out loud.”

• “Try again. Not because you failed—but because you changed.”

• “Practice isn’t repetition. It’s becoming.”

• “The sheet is the suggestion. You are the voice.”

• “You haven’t heard it all. You haven’t felt it all. That’s why you’re here.”

• “Let curiosity have your fingers. Let courage have your ears.”

These rooms are mostly sound-proofed glass with dimmable lights inside so that everyone can see the rooms being used. They will have a lot of instruments like pianos, guitars, basses, and can incorporate cool things like a Roli Piano and their lesson software. The company could donate it, since it would serve as such great advertisement. The rooms will be different sizes: singular instrument rooms for a specific type of instrument, or larger, band practice types of rooms. People can use them for lessons, or reserve them for an hour at the time to practice, learn, or record. Drum Pads, midi keyboards, and other electronic type instruments could be hooked up to Logic and GarageBand on an IPad Pro. Drum sets, both regular and electric, could have Melodics ready to teach them to play.

I think incorporating DJ'ing is great. I saw a Fisher Price DJ stand and so there could be a whole baby room full of different musical instruments and toys. There could also be a kid room that has kid-sized instruments, though older kids could probably use adult-sized stuff.

The Practice Rooms: Your Turn to Play

Alongside the exhibits and immersive spaces, the museum would also house a suite of soundproofed Practice Rooms — visible to the public behind glass walls, but sealed for quiet. Each room would have dimmable lights and acoustic treatment, allowing guests to practice, learn, or record in an inspiring, semi-observable environment. It turns musical growth into something visible, something alive. Each room would feature a quote on the door, the name of its featured instrument, and a number for easy reference.

These rooms would be available for drop-in lessons, casual rehearsals, workshops, or even membership-based regular practice time. Whether someone is a first-time beginner, a homeschooled music student, a weekend warrior, or a touring musician passing through, they’ll find a room here that makes them feel at home — and maybe even inspired.

The rooms would come in a range of sizes:

• Solo rooms for individual instruments (piano, guitar, violin, voice)

• Duo rooms for lessons or jam sessions

• Band rooms equipped for full ensembles or small group rehearsals

High-end gear and educational tools would be ready to go. ROLI keyboards — paired with their interactive learning software — is a perfect chance for the company to sponsor gear in exchange for visibility, including listing the museum as a try-it-out location on their site. Drum pads, MIDI controllers, and digital instruments could be plugged into Logic Pro or GarageBand on iPad Pros for recording or creative exploration.

Drum sets — both acoustic and electric — would come equipped with Melodics, a gamified lesson system that teaches drumming through rhythm challenges and progression. The same software could apply to keys, pads, and even finger drumming. I didn't have a great space to learn drums for a long time, and for others like me who don't have the space, money, or other reason, this still gives people access despite other circumstances.

DJ’ing deserves its own space here too — not tucked away, but right up front. With turntables, samplers, and beat-making stations, guests could learn how to mix, scratch, loop, and drop their own tracks. Whether you're channeling Diplo or exploring lo-fi chill beats, there’d be a path for you to create and perform.

And of course, music begins even earlier for some. A Baby Sound Room could be filled with soft, sensory-safe instruments — shakers, bells, tambourines, little keyboards, a Fisher-Price DJ table, xylophones, baby song playing table, and toddler percussion toys. These wouldn’t just be for play — they’d be for experiencing rhythm, sound, and confidence at the earliest stages. It could also feature baby sitting at certain times, so that young parents/parents of young children still find time to nurture their musicality.

Slightly older kids could move into a Kid Instrument Lab — scaled-down guitars, drums, violins, and keyboards that introduce real technique with child-friendly size and feel. But older kids are also welcome to try the full-size gear — sometimes, all it takes to spark confidence is being treated like you’re already ready.

Tempo & Thyme Café and Restaurant

Tempo & Thyme wouldn’t be just a café or a restaurant — it would be a creativity-charged, rhythm-friendly haven for college students, families, musicians, and collaborators alike. Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee between practice sessions or settling into a long, lyric-writing lunch, the space would be built for focus, connection, and inspiration.

Each time of day would carry its own musical mood: soft jazz and acoustic tunes in the morning, indie folk in the afternoon, and chillhop or lo-fi beats in the evening — the perfect backdrop for studying, writing, or decompressing after rehearsal. Around Halloween, the vibe might shift to eerie jazz and instrumental scores. On select evenings, the café could host intimate performances, karaoke, poetry readings, or music-themed screenings — with optional table speakers you can rent to tune in without disturbing the room. It’s like a Sports Bar for sound lovers — your level of engagement, your call.

The interior would carry the same artistic intention: record-shaped tabletops, tuning-peg stools, string-art walls, and a mix of quiet corners and collaborative community tables. The atmosphere would encourage creation as much as conversation — with lyric napkins for scribbling ideas, a community songboard where anyone can add a line, and even kid-friendly utensils that double as rhythm toys, like wooden chopsticks that drum without disturbing the peace. A small stage would anchor the space for impromptu sets or featured speakers. There might even be a live board listing available instructors and lesson times, making the café not just a place to recharge — but a place to re-engage.

Menu items would reflect the fun and musicality of the museum itself — think “The Cold Brew Fugue,” “Grilled Cheese Remix,” and “Lo-Fi Latte.” A rotating wall menu could feature special drinks or dishes tied to current exhibits or artist themes. For quick study breaks or rehearsals between bites, a sleek modern vending machine would offer grab-and-go snacks — including playful finds like those rapper-themed chips you might remember from your favorite gas station run.

Tempo & Thyme would include two connected spaces:

☕ The Café Side

Open all day with soft lighting, comfy seating, and good Wi-Fi, the café side would be perfect for students, freelancers, and families. With artisan drinks and affordable bites, it’s ideal for working on lyrics, studying, meeting up, or just catching your breath between musical moments.

🍴 The Restaurant Side

Open for lunch and dinner (and later on weekends), the restaurant would lean a little more refined — with seasonal dishes, exhibit-inspired meals, and possible terrace or window seating. Perfect for meet-and-greets, songwriter dinners, or pre-concert meals.

🌙 Evenings at Tempo & Thyme

During select events, the restaurant would offer a curated menu of wine, beer, and specialty cocktails. This isn’t a party bar — it’s a place for slow, inspired enjoyment. Whether you're unwinding after a show, raising a glass during a listening session, or sipping something warm while watching a documentary, the drinks are there to complement the experience — not become it.

The Science of Sound Section---EXHIBITS Name them, be specific, tuning fork specific (use ChatGPT)

Before music is melody, before lyrics and rhythm — it’s physics. Vibrations become notes, waves become chords, and silence becomes sound. A dedicated Sound Science Zone in the museum would show how music is not just artistic, but deeply physical — a living language of motion, resonance, and vibration. Here, science isn't on the sidelines — it's singing in the spotlight.

Visitors could explore interactive exhibits and stations that break down the fundamentals:

What is Sound? At its core, sound is vibration moving through air, water, or solid objects. Guests could place their hands on a resonating surface or watch real-time sound waves on a screen as they speak or sing. A side-by-side comparison of pitch (frequency) and volume (amplitude) would show how one makes a flute sound high and the other makes a drum sound loud.

How Does Sound Travel? Try-it stations could demonstrate how sound travels differently through solids, liquids, and gases. Why is space silent? Why does your voice sound deeper underwater? A slinky could stretch across the room to demonstrate wave motion, while tuning forks could be tapped against various materials to explore vibration up close.

Acoustics in Action From echo tunnels to foam-filled whisper rooms, guests could walk through sound itself — learning how different materials and shapes shape the way we hear. A reverb tunnel would simulate how a voice echoes in a cave, a concert hall, or a bedroom. Children (and adults!) could clap, sing, and explore how space becomes part of the music.

The Doppler Effect A rideable toy track with a sound-emitting car could let visitors experience why an ambulance changes pitch as it passes. For older learners, this could connect to sound in motion — like pitch-bending in instruments or the sci-fi warble of film scores. Though normally ridden by younger kids, they would have the experience of how it sounds the same when riding, but different when someone else is going by.

Resonance and Harmonics Why does the same note sound different on a violin than a saxophone? It’s all about harmonics — and here, you could see them. With interactive string plucking and resonance bowls, guests could explore what gives each instrument its signature voice. There might even be glass harmonica stations or water-filled bottles tuned to different pitches.

Tuning and Frequency What does it mean to be “in tune”? Guests could try tuning a digital or physical instrument using apps, pitch pipes, or tuning forks — learning how even tiny shifts in vibration can change how something feels to the ear.

Waveforms and Synthesis Step into the world of electronic music by hearing and seeing how waveforms work. Sine, square, triangle, and sawtooth waves could be visualized and manipulated through touchscreens or synths — showing how these basic building blocks create everything from soothing pads to growling basslines.

Psychoacoustics: What You Think You Hear Some sounds bend perception. Visitors could explore sonic illusions, like Shepard tones (tones that seem to rise forever), phantom melodies, and binaural beats. A listening station might ask: how does mood, memory, or context affect what we hear? Why do certain songs feel warm or unsettling?

Every station in this zone would reinforce the idea that music is science, felt — and that understanding it only deepens the magic. Whether you're a student, a songwriter, or just someone who likes tapping on things, this section would turn curiosity into clarity… and maybe even into creativity.

🛡️ Security: Protecting the Music, the People, and the Space

With so many valuable instruments, interactive exhibits, and late-night events, the museum’s security system would need to be as thoughtfully designed as every other part of the experience. This isn’t just about asset protection — it’s about creating a safe, welcoming environment for musicians, families, students, and staff.

Every room, every zone, monitored and safe.Cameras would be installed throughout the building — from exhibit halls to practice rooms, and even quieter corners like the café and corridors — creating full visual coverage without feeling invasive. A modern, cloud-connected alarm system would monitor access points and flag unauthorized entry attempts in real time.

Visible presence, invisible tension.The museum could employ trained security personnel, including a dedicated night guard who remains on-site after hours. A secure, interior-facing security office would offer safety for overnight staff and act as a central command for emergencies. While discreet by day, this room would be well-armored and strategically placed for rapid response when needed.

Metal detectors at the entrance would help establish the museum as a weapon-free zone, reinforcing the museum's family-friendly, education-focused atmosphere. This practice is already in use at many public institutions — like courthouses and concert venues — and helps ensure visitors of all ages feel safe and supported from the moment they walk in.

Outdoor surveillance and lighting would help deter theft and vandalism, especially during off-hours. Sensor-based lighting, motion-detection cameras, and clear signage would keep the perimeter just as secure as the inside.

And of course, the gift shop, café, and instrument zones would be equipped with discreet theft prevention — from bag checks at entrances to anti-theft tagging and RFID tracking on higher-end gear.

Instrument insurance would also be a must. With so many hands-on spaces and high-use instruments, even the best guests (and the best equipment) will experience some wear and tear. A comprehensive coverage plan would make sure the museum is ready for the unexpected — and able to replace or repair gear as needed without worry.

In short, this wouldn’t be a fortress — but a safe, secure creative campus where everyone feels protected enough to let go and make some noise.

🎤 The Stage Room: Music’s Sacred Space

Every music museum needs a heartbeat — a place where all the energy, talent, and imagination come together. For this museum, that place would be the Stage Room: a towering performance space inspired by Seattle’s iconic Sky Church, but reimagined for the East Coast with its own rhythm, glow, and community spirit.

This wouldn’t just be a concert hall — it would be an experiential music venue, where the walls themselves feel like part of the show.

Lighting That Breathes With the MusicFrom high-powered concert rigs to ambient wall washes, the lighting design would be endlessly flexible. Picture:

• Galaxy-mode projection mapping across the ceiling, with stars that drift and shimmer

• Dynamic wall lighting that pulses to the beat or shifts with a song’s mood

• Laser arrays and fog bursts that give electronic sets and DJ shows a surreal, dreamlike vibe

• Soft spotlight zones for poetry readings, acoustic sets, or interviews on stage

  
  

Everything would be programmable — able to switch from an intimate singer-songwriter set to a high-energy kid rave or a film screening with a live score. And of course, a trained AV team would be on staff to run it all smoothly, whether it’s a full-band concert or a DIY community open mic.

Big Room. Big Sound. Big Possibilities.The Stage Room would be fully equipped with high-end sound: a line array speaker system, digital mixing boards, and an acoustic treatment plan designed to handle both live instruments and digital playback without compromise. Seating could be retractable to allow standing-room shows or transform into rows for theater-style screenings.

Some possible uses might include:

• 🎶 Live concerts (local, touring, museum-produced)

• 🍿 Music documentaries with post-film panels

• 🎤 Guest speakers, lyricist lectures, or artist residencies

• 🥳 Rentable party space for milestone events with live DJ or band

• 🪩 Kid raves, silent discos, or VR dance nights

• 👩‍🏫 School visits, showcases, or music competition finals

  
  

Projection Screens and Visual SyncA massive projection wall — either behind or above the stage — could be used for synced visuals, karaoke nights, or live-cast video. Want to host a Taylor Swift album drop night with real-time visuals and a light show? Done. Want to run a film that explains how horror movies use sound to terrify? Roll it.

Community + FlexibilityMuch like the practice rooms, the Stage Room would belong to everyone. One night, it could host a jazz trio from a local university. The next, a punk showcase. The next, a classical music video game tribute. Its strength would lie in its flexibility — and in its ability to make every show feel like it’s in the right place.

Because when the lights go down and the sound comes up, that’s when you stop being a visitor and become part of the show.

🎟️ Rent the Stage: Where Events Become Experiences

The Stage Room wouldn’t just be for scheduled programming — it would also be available for rentable events, opening the doors to birthdays, graduations, album releases, film premieres, school performances, and unforgettable community celebrations. This is more than just a venue; it’s a chance for your story to take the stage.

Flexible Layouts, All the Vibe Whether you need seating for 200 or a dance floor for 75, the room would be modular and fast to reset. Lighting and sound presets could offer pre-designed “event modes” — moody acoustic, radiant pop, soft lecture, high-energy concert — so hosts can get an elevated experience even without a full production team.

Event Packages Could Include:

• A/V tech assistance and custom lighting

• DJ, host, or emcee referrals

• Museum-themed decor options (vinyl centerpieces, lyric backdrops, etc.)

• Access to the museum floor before or after hours for photos or tours

• Food and drink catering through Tempo & Thyme, with themed menu add-ons

• Table speaker rentals (so guests can choose what they hear at dinner — live audio, playlist, or event programming)

From karaoke birthday parties to album drop listening nights, every event would feel tailored, cool, and fully supported.

🎬 Backstage Access: Behind the Sound

For those who want a deeper connection to music-making, backstage passes would unlock even more.

This could include:

• Green Room Lounges for performers or private groups, complete with instruments, snacks, and a chill aesthetic

• Production tours that walk guests through how lights, audio, and stage cues are handled

• A Recording Booth Add-On, where guests can record a song, podcast, or message to commemorate the event

• A chance to meet guest speakers, artists-in-residence, or museum instructors

Special workshops — like “How to Run a Show”, “Mixing a Live Set”, or “Lights and Lasers 101” — could be offered monthly for students and curious creatives. You could even host “Behind the Stage” field trips for schools, showing kids the full ecosystem of a performance: sound checks, lighting tech, tour management, and merch tables.

📺 Museum Membership, Meet Digital Membership

In addition to in-person classes, workshops, and performances, the museum could offer a members-only YouTube channel (or Patreon-style tier) for those who want to keep learning long after their visit ends. Think of it like a virtual backstage pass — one that never expires.

Possible Content Could Include:

• 🎧 “How the Stage Works” — A series breaking down lighting rigs, mic setups, live mixing, etc.

• 🧠 Music Theory Made Easy — Fun, visual explanations of intervals, rhythm, chord progressions

• 🎙️ Recording 101 — How to mic vocals, use a DAW, mix a song, or build a home studio

• 📚 History of Music Tech — Deep dives on cassette decks, vinyl resurgence, or iconic gear

• 💡 Artist Spotlights — Behind-the-scenes interviews with guest musicians, instructors, or staff

And because the museum is all about hands-on interaction, you could pair the videos with:

• Downloadable worksheets or activities

• Community songwriting challenges or remix contests

• Live Q&As with instructors

  
  

Revenue & Access Tiers:

• 🌱 Free content (teasers, previews, highlights)

• 🎵 $5–$10/mo tier: Access to full educational series, early exhibit previews

• 🎤 Higher tiers: Get bonus footage, behind-the-scenes event access, or even a yearly museum pass

That's a brilliant evolution of the concept, Emily — you’ve just unlocked a whole third layer to the museum: a global creative campus that extends far beyond Fayetteville.

Let me reflect your vision back to you in a cohesive way you can use for a blog post, pitch, or internal planning doc — and then we can break it down further if you want to build from here:

🎬 The Bubble: Backstage, Broadcasted

Above it all — literally and figuratively — sits The Bubble, a domed rooftop lounge that’s more than just an architectural gem. By day, it’s a breezy escape with skyline views, ambient audio installations, and shaded spots for writing, rehearsing, or filming. By night, it transforms into a conversation capsule — the ideal setting for artist interviews, intimate performances, music video shoots, or live talks streamed to members around the world.

Imagine your favorite artist speaking candidly under the stars after a sold-out show. Or a “Day in the Life” series filmed on-site with industry pros — producers, riggers, composers, roadies, editors — each one breaking down how the music world actually works.

📡 A Museum That Reaches Beyond Its Walls

The museum’s monthly and yearly passholders wouldn’t just get physical access — they’d be tapped into a full digital campus of learning, creativity, and connection:

🧑‍💻 What’s Included:

• Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Content — artist talks, rehearsals, event build-outs, studio time

• “A Day in the Life” Video Series — walk a mile in the shoes of a mastering engineer, a tour manager, a soundtrack editor, and more

• Software Access — log in from home to use learning tools like Melodics, Auralia, Musition, Simply Piano, etc.

• Interactive Assignments — create your own sample pack, re-score a scene, remix a melody, or write a themed lyric

• School + College Partnerships — allow music schools to offer discounted or bundled access for students

Not everyone can make the trip in person — and even locals will want to keep the experience going after they leave. That’s why the museum’s yearly pass includes access to a full online wing: an ever-expanding vault of behind-the-scenes footage, industry interviews, digital classes, and interactive challenges designed to deepen your understanding of music and how it’s made. This content wouldn’t just recap what happens on-site — it would expand on it, offering exclusive artist talks filmed under The Bubble rooftop dome, virtual “day-in-the-life” episodes with music industry pros, and access to educational apps like Melodics, Auralia, and Musition. Music schools and colleges could even bundle these digital memberships for their students, bringing the museum’s resources into classrooms across the country. Whether you’re logging in from your dorm, your studio, or your living room, the museum stays with you — as a creative companion, a learning hub, and a backstage pass that never expires.

🎓 A Resource for Music Educators

Colleges, high schools, and private academies could partner with the museum to offer all-access educational bundles:

• Student pricing for yearly museum+digital passes

• Faculty-access accounts for integrating lessons into curriculum

• Monthly assignment suggestions based on museum content drops

• Virtual group tours and live Q&As with museum experts

🪧 The Quote Board: Notes Between the Notes

In a place built for sound, sometimes the quietest moments hit the hardest.

Just like the old-school letter boards outside churches, diners, and corner stores, the museum would feature its own quote boards — big ones, small ones, lettered and glowing — filled with rotating quotes from musicians, producers, songwriters, and artists from all walks of the industry. Some famous, some local, some anonymous. One day it might be a Kurt Cobain lyric about pain and truth. The next, a SZA quote about vulnerability. The next, a line from a sixth grader’s first poem scrawled in the Lyric Lab.

The main entrance board would greet each visitor with a fresh quote each week, a sort of mantra for the day. Inside, smaller quote boards could be scattered through the halls, lounges, stairwells, and practice rooms. Chalkboard versions in the café. Lightbox versions near the VR zone. Even neon versions in the Decade Rooms, styled to match the era. Each one becomes a breath — a pause in the rhythm — a reminder of what music means beyond the sound.

🎤 Interactive Touches:

• A “Quote of the Day” submission station would invite guests to add their own favorite lines, lyrics, or original thoughts. Each week, a few could be selected and featured on the boards (with permission).

• A digital quote wall on the museum app or website could archive all past quotes — sortable by artist, genre, mood, or decade.

• Visitors could sponsor a quote, dedicating it in memory or honor of someone. For example: “This week’s quote sponsored by Lexi James, in memory of her father, who taught her to play Springsteen on a six-string.”

• Instructors and guest artists could share quotes that inspired their careers — tying language and legacy into workshops and talks.

🎶 More Than DecorationThese quotes wouldn’t just be decor — they’d be tiny musical moments in themselves. Something to catch your eye while waiting in line, something to sit with while sipping a coffee, something to photograph and carry home. Like a lyric you didn’t know you needed until you heard it, these fragments would linger long after the last note fades.

🎶 Resonance Wall & Donor Legacy Programs

Where Music Lives On Through You

In a place built around the sounds that shape us, it only makes sense to offer ways for guests to leave a piece of their own melody behind. The museum’s donor recognition system would honor this deeply — not just with plaques or lists, but with installations that sing back in subtle, meaningful ways.

🎵 The Resonance Wall

Inside the museum, a glowing mosaic of engraved metal panels would form the Resonance Wall — a living archive of dedications, quotes, memories, and messages from music lovers around the world.

Here, contributors can sponsor a panel engraved with something that resonates:

• A favorite lyric

• A message to a loved one

• A business or organization that supports the arts

• A short quote from a beloved artist

• Or even a custom-engraved tuning fork symbol that matches your story

Each panel becomes part of a greater whole — a wall that hums with quiet gratitude and community support.

“This panel resonates in honor of Aunt Allissa, who sang me to sleep every night.”

“Funded by Sound & Soul Studios — keep playing, Fayetteville.”

Select higher-tier donors could even include a QR-linked sound clip — a song sample, spoken dedication, or short instrumental — similar to the sound-enabled memorial plaques found on headstones or in modern exhibits. These recordings would live on in the museum’s archive and be replayable from a dedicated terminal nearby.

Past panels can be reused or sent back to the sponsor if they choose not to renew after a year. This keeps the wall ever-evolving while giving every supporter a chance to leave a mark, however long they wish.

🧱 The Backing Track

Outside, winding through the garden path or plaza, The Backing Track would be a permanent donor pathway — engraved pavers, metal inlays, or tile mosaics underfoot, much like a music-centric Hollywood Walk of Fame.

This would be where you step across names, notes, and dedications that quite literally helped build the foundation of the museum. Schools, studios, families, and individuals could all leave their own tile — subtle, beautiful, and part of the rhythm of the grounds themselves.

📢 Play It Forward: The Campaign

All of this would be housed under a recognizable name for the public-facing campaign: Play It Forward.

Used for everything from press releases to donation kiosks, Play It Forward would serve as the outreach voice of the museum’s fundraising and membership efforts — inviting the world to be part of something bigger.

“Your lyric. Your legacy. Play it forward.”

Whether etched into metal, embedded in stone, or spoken into the archive, these contributions turn music into something you can hold onto — and something you can leave behind.

The SoundGarden or the Sonic Garden

The first name pays homage to the late Chris Cornell from Soundgarden and plays on the idea that instead of plants, it is a garden made of instruments and sounds. As mentioned later, if the family and band would not like this tribute, it could be left out and changed to the Sonic Garden.

Interactive Instruments

The Sound Garden isn’t just for listening — it’s for playing. Scattered across the space like seeds of sound are a range of outdoor percussion instruments, each chosen for their resonance, durability, and ability to invite spontaneous creativity.

Some of the featured installations might include:

• Giant Metallophones — Tuned metal bars mounted on frames, struck with padded mallets to produce clear, shimmering tones. These could be arranged by key or scale, and played solo or with a friend.

• Outdoor Xylophones — Bright, bold wooden bars engineered to endure the elements. Whether you're learning to play a melody or just improvising, these bring warm, organic tones to the garden’s soundscape.

• Resonance Mushrooms — Tall, sculptural metal drums disguised as giant mushrooms, playable with your hands or soft mallets. Each “cap” could emit a different pitch or tone depending on where it's struck. These serve as both instrument and sculpture — perfect for kids and adults alike.

• Water Drums — Steel drums or Rain drums that when visitors pull a chain, water pours down on them, letting nature make it's own music, or it can be played with steel drum hammers.

• Harmony Flowers — Spinning installations with petals made of tuned metal bars. As they rotate, visitors can tap them in rhythm, or let the wind animate their sound over time.

• Sound Stepping Stones — Pressure-triggered pads embedded in the path itself. Step in the right sequence and a tune might play — or step freely and invent your own rhythm as you walk.

Each instrument would be clearly marked, playable with or without instruction, and accompanied by signage with melody maps, two-person challenges, and short musical facts or quotes. Each one could have a guideboard showing melodies like “Twinkle Twinkle,” “Take On Me,” or a two-player duet like “Heart and Soul. The garden becomes not just a sensory retreat, but a musical ecosystem, growing new ideas and memories with every note.

Chimes of All Kinds

Surrounding the path are towers and treetops filled with chimes — from massive, resonant bass tones to delicate, crystalline highs. These aren’t just decor — they’re instruments waiting for collaboration.

• Guests can gently strike them with provided mallets

• Some chimes would be tuned to full scales for improvisation

• Others would pair with instructional panels to help visitors recreate simple melodies or try out duets

Whether it’s two friends recreating a pop riff or a child discovering harmony with a stranger, these instruments are built for connection. Or, there can be a giant set of chimes lined up,which probably more doable. But if there is a tree on teh property, having chimes and decorating it could be another thing that donors could do.

The Black Hole Sun

As the Sound Garden’s emotional centerpiece, Black Hole Sun would be a sculptural tribute to Chris Cornell and Soundgarden — a sun with a darkness spinning around it so that it is sometimes becoming covered by darkness from anywhere you stand, as it is transitioning in the music video. The planets revolve around it in scientifically accurate patterns for visual interest and education.

It is silent, as space is, in stark contrast to the garden full of sound. At night, the garden lights up, and when the sun turns black, it starts a busy light show along with music on the hour. It symbolizes the calm before the storm, or that mental illness can come up silently, slowly or quickly, and create a chaotic storm that could end feeling like it is something that cannot be overcome, like a black hole sun. It could be surrounded by a planting bed of black and yellow tulips, purple sages, and star-shaped stones inlaid with lyrics or quotes from musicians who’ve explored grief, healing, and sound as survival. A placard could read:

“Addiction. Depression. Loss.

These are not failures.

They are feelings of intense gravity

that can take away the brightest star.

But the music stays to remind you:

you don’t have to be swept away in a silent upheaval.

Mental Health Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Grief Counseling Line: 1-833-456-4566

Text “HELLO” to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support"

If the family and the band would not like this to be part of the garden, it may be left out and be called the Sonic Garden.

Duet Paths & Sound Stepping Stones

Interactive stepping stone trails along The Backing Track would trigger tones when walked — encouraging guests to dance, explore, or even compose music with their feet.

• Some paths would recreate familiar melodies

• Others would be randomized improvisation zones

• Duet lanes allow two people to trigger complementary harmonies together — sparking playful musical interplay

Resonance in Sculpture

Sound and sculpture fuse here — in pieces you can touch, hear, and even feel.

• Tuning fork trees that resonate through your hand or chest

• Color-and-sound wheels where children spin pitch-shifting panels to explore sonic synesthesia

It could also have playground like elements that incorporate sound, like the seesaws that were featured downtown having a sound when you use them.

The Sound Garden: Where Music Grows Wild

Part sonic sculpture park, part instrument playground, and part memorial, The Sound Garden is a living, breathing outdoor exhibit dedicated to sound, memory, and shared resonance. Winding through it is The Backing Track — a melodic stone and metal path that acts as both literal guide and metaphorical rhythm section, supporting everything around it.

A Garden That Wakes Up at Night

As day fades, the entire Sound Garden transforms. Hidden LED paths illuminate The Backing Track, and soft uplights highlight key features — from glimmering chimes to water drums and kinetic sculptures. Each hour after sunset, a scheduled light show would begin:

• A glowing sun projection rises along the garden floor, casting long light across reflective surfaces.

• The “sun” slowly darkens into a spiraling black hole, triggering synchronized lighting across the garden: ripples of light across stepping stones, glowing sculptures that pulse with simulated sound waves, and illuminated raindrop lights descending the chains.

• Wind chimes begin to shimmer from above as small projectors cast dancing starfields across nearby walls and pathways.

• The final moment: a spotlight activates Black Hole Sun, the memorial sculpture centerpiece, which emits a low, resonant hum and dim purple light as the cycle closes. Or, the sun can light up internally, whcih is probably more fitting, but in the case of a light bulb failure, a spotlight works too.

The Screaming Fountain

At the garden’s most theatrical moment lives a bold, unexpected element: The Screaming Fountain.This water sculpture responds in height to how loud you yell. The louder it is, the higher the water gets. It could also have other responses, like a deep voice is wider, or a shrill voice is narrower. Color changing would make i tvisible at night.

More than just a gag or gimmick, the fountain would represent catharsis — an outlet for emotion, a celebration of voice, a reminder that music is sometimes a shout into the void.

Nearby plaques might read:

“Let it out. Sound is the shape of feeling.”

It’s theatrical, emotional, and synesthetic.

Interactive Instruments

The Sound Garden isn’t just for listening — it’s for playing. Scattered across the space like seeds of sound are a range of outdoor percussion instruments, each chosen for their resonance, durability, and ability to invite spontaneous creativity.

Some of the featured installations might include:

• Giant Metallophones — Tuned metal bars mounted on frames, struck with padded mallets to produce clear, shimmering tones. These could be arranged by key or scale, and played solo or with a friend.

• Outdoor Xylophones — Bright, bold wooden bars engineered to endure the elements. Whether you're learning to play a melody or just improvising, these bring warm, organic tones to the garden’s soundscape.

• Resonance Mushrooms — Tall, sculptural metal drums disguised as giant mushrooms, playable with your hands or soft mallets. Each “cap” could emit a different pitch or tone depending on where it's struck. These serve as both instrument and sculpture — perfect for kids and adults alike.

• Water Drums — Steel drums or Rain drums that when visitors pull a chain, water pours down on them, letting nature make it's own music, or it can be played with steel drum hammers.

• Harmony Flowers — Spinning installations with petals made of tuned metal bars. As they rotate, visitors can tap them in rhythm, or let the wind animate their sound over time.

• Sound Stepping Stones — Pressure-triggered pads embedded in the path itself. Step in the right sequence and a tune might play — or step freely and invent your own rhythm as you walk.

Each instrument would be clearly marked, playable with or without instruction, and accompanied by signage with melody maps, two-person challenges, and short musical facts or quotes. Each one could have a guideboard showing melodies like “Twinkle Twinkle,” “Take On Me,” or a two-player duet like “Heart and Soul.The garden becomes not just a sensory retreat, but a musical ecosystem, growing new ideas and memories with every note.

Parking

Since parking was so limited, I think this building should be built upwards, leaving space for parking all around or underneath. The Seattle EMP is very wide and long. The second floor could be set outwards from the building even, so that it is basically a massive roof over top of the parking, with many steel columns in a mirror-like chrome or shiny material that is an interesting neutral to the building's colors. I think more of a eccentric, one-of-a-kind skyscraper-type building that can be seen from all around would not only be good for marketing locally, but finally give an area that is trying to be city-like and business-like the sort of building it's lacking, and great for marketing everywhere since it is an architectural anomaly. It could be that the first few floors are parking garage maybe, if that's even possible to support the weight of the rest of the building. A new parking garage could be built where the new expo center would be, and this could be not far from it, if there is any space nearby. Or, probably even better would be to have a new tourism sector planned. A secondary form of transportation could go around and connect downtown and these tourist attractions to liven up downtown as well.

I love the idea of the rooftop cafe that spins every 40 minutes like the Space Needle in Seattle. I don't want to be a copycat, even though a little Seattle sounds cute, with a glass museum and fish market nearby...Anyways, we should be our own selves, not a copy of somewhere else that most everyone has already been to. What would be fun is having a see through slide or adventure course wrapping around the building that has a separate office on the first floor. Groups could take the elevator all the way up and work their way down, or they could work their way up and back down for a longer one. Glass slides sticking out of the building (reminiscient of the marble slides the kids have), daring jumps like Dauntless-style, and maybe an overall branding of what the Dauntless faction is like (tattoos, graffiti, daring, rebels, unafraid, brave, dark) but with a fun whimsical twist (dark slide with lights in it, transparent slides at the top).

The other thing is, people could park further away downtown and walk there, further supporting the surrounding businesses. I think that is the way to go, and maybe have a small tram that goes from each parking lot for people who can't walk that far or families or rainy/hot days.

I'm always available to flesh out plans for this, so feel free to contact me via chat here or LinkedIn!

Some other random idea I had that I always liked and was fascinated by:

Giant Floor Piano (also kid floor pianos, battery powered types in kid section); I loved watching two people or one or whatever put on a show of a song jumping all around on a piano! It oculd happen every hour or once a day, depending on talent availability I suppose.

LIght up piano stairs: I saw something like this a long time ago on YT and it didn't light up, but was fun to walk down--or fun to watch people walk down and hop around on.

2 can and string phone for science experiement section