The Sound Alternative is an audio engineering and event production job training program designed specifically for youth ages 14 to 20. The goal of the program is to instill in at-risk youth the desire to continue on a path of self-improvement through education and vocational training in the exciting field of audio engineering.  Students chosen for the program are able to earn a wage while learning valuable job skills.

Our students advance to real world opportunities through classroom studies and hands-on training with relevant equipment under the tutelage of professional engineers.

For more information on this exceptional teen job training program, contact Mark Lennon, Executive Director at    (773) 927-6420   , or email mark@bentonhouse.org.

Sound Alternative - Summer 2009

This summer promises to be an exciting one for the Sound Alternative!  Teens participating will get the opportunity to:

• run sound for Willy Dixon’s Blues Heaven weekly concert series at the former Chess Studios!

• hone their skills by practicing in a variety of venues!

• learn permanent sound installation!

• and even run their own independent music festival in August!

We are proud to welcome students from the following schools to the 2009 Summer Sound Alternative program:

Kelly High School, Jones Commercial, Corliss High School, Senn High School, Marshall High School, Kenwood Academy, Lindbloom High School, De La Salle High School, Mt. Carmel, St. Rita, Whitney Young, Rickover Naval Academy, Holden Elementary, Tilden Technical High School, Perspectives Charter School, Noble Street Charter School, Jane Adams Charter School, Curie High School

Meet the talent behind Sound Alternative:

William “Chicago Willy” Green - Sound Alternative Founder & Program Director

Bill graduated from the College of DuPage in 1989, then continued his education at Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts in Orlando, FL. Upon graduation from Full Sail, Bill began his career in Orlando working free-lance Camera man, Editor, and Audio Engineer for the local TV Station. Bill then moved to New Orleans were he began traveling as a Audio Engineer, and Camera Man. After a sort time in New Orleans Bill was offered a full time position at the Hyatt Regency Chicago as the in house audio engineer, were he has be employed since 1993.

Bill started his own record label Rough House Recording Company and discovered and recorded a unknown street musician by the name of Jake La Botz who later went on to start in motion pictures, as well as release his own CD’s. Bill then started Rough House Sound Reinforcement providing sound for local shows, and community venues. Upon meeting Mark Lennon from the Benton House, Bill offered to start a audio engineering program for at-risk youth, and the Sound Alternative program was born.

During his career Bill has worked with Ray Charles, Beach Boys, Dr. John, Marie Osmond, President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, President Barack Obama, Jake la Botz, Ohio Players, the Four Tops, The B-52’s, Hurricane Gumbo, Indigo Swing and many more.

Don Medina - Instructor

Don Medina was raised on the south side of Chicago. He began exploring his music interests at the age of 13.  During his early years in the studio his only interest was learning how operate everything in the studio.  He taught himself sampling, midi sequencing, digital editing, drum programming, and later with the assistance of a mentor learned how to play the keyboards.

Now, 23 years later, Don has worked closely with the industry elite in all aspects of music production.  He has worked with Young Jeezy, R. Kelly, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal Jr., trained Producer Don P of Trillvile, Cherish, The Legendary Grand Master Caz, Busy Bee, Chuck D., Slick Pulla, Gansta Boo, Akon, LeToya, Ann Nesby, Twista, Jimmy Ruffin and a host of other artists.   Don brings to Sound Alternative a level of expertise that has been hard-earned during his time in the industry.

Jaime Gartelos - Instructor

Jaime Gartelos  is a talented artist, oil painter and multi-instrumentalist with extensive background in a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to: live sound engineering, recording production, playwriting, jingle writing, acting, voice over, radio production, music and lyrical composition, scenic arts, lighting design, prestidigitation and legerdemain, juggling, wood working, framing, art preparation, art installation, curation, acoustical design and invention.

For the past eighteen years Jaime has written and produced several professional recordings.  In 2007, Jaime co-wrote and co-produced the Mad Art Radio Hour: Episodes 1 and 2 with the late Jamie Foehner.   Jaime is joining Benton House’s Sound Alternative program for the first time this summer.

Sound Alternative is a program in partnership with

Additional Sound Alternative Partners:

Blues Heaven
Gand Sound
Carter Co. Recording
Victor Harris, Total Eclipse Sound
Chuck’s Southern Comforts Restaurant
Reggie’s Rock Club
Blastbeat
Rock for Kids
Lawrence Hall

Sound Alternative Corporate Sponsors

A special thanks to the following for their support of the Sound Alternative program:

Gypsy Kings, Chad Landry, Jake “The Stepchild” LaBotz, Little Feet, Kelly High School, Los Sobranos, and Vivian Garcia.

William “Chicago Willy” Green - Program Founder, and Director.