Installing Music

The fourth stage of the "StairWELL to Better Health" intervention brought music to the stairwells. In the five-story Rhodes Building, a digital satellite receiver was installed which feeds the incoming signal into an integrated amplifier that, in turn, feeds five stairwell speakers (one on each floor). Four of the speakers are circular, ceiling-mounted speakers located on the door landing for each of the first four floors. The fifth speaker is a wall-mount on the fifth floor door landing.

Digital satellite music systems can help you create almost any type of atmosphere through a variety of musical genres (e.g., classical, country, jazz, Latin, oldies, popular contemporary, and urban, among others). Also, you won't have to decide on just one type of music and stick with it. Most digital satellite systems allow you change the type of music that plays with just a click of a button. Or set it up on a rotating schedule: that way everyone can hear their favorite music from time to time. One note of caution, however: put the controls to the music system in a secure location where only a few people have access to it.