NHS To Add Two Music Tech Classes

By Susan Coney

The Reed Intermediate School and Newtown Middle School already have music technology labs, and the high school is next in line. The lab will be outfitted with computers and other technology equipment that will be utilized to create various music projects.

Chris Lee, who will begin his second year teaching at Newtown High School, will be the teacher in charge of development and instruction of the program. Mr Lee is a composer himself and has studied both music education as well as composition. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s in composition from Yale School of Music.

 “Our courses [in the upcoming program] will be a continuation of what was started at the intermediate and middle schools. We will expand and build on what’s already been presented to the students at the lower school level. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to bring this to fruition.”

The high school will offer two new music technology courses this fall. The first, Introduction to Music Technology, will introduce students to the process of creating music through the use of technology. Students will explore the formal elements of music and apply that knowledge to music composition. Students will use MIDI sequencing, creative software, Internet music resources, and electronic musical instruments to create various music projects. Although a formal music background is helpful it is not necessary for students entering the music technology classes.

MIDI sequencers will be used a great deal in the music lab; they are gaining popularity in the world of personal computing. If a computer has a sound card, it most likely also has the ability to play MIDI files. With an adapter it can also be connected directly to other MIDI-equipped products allowing for the full advantage of various computer programs that can help students learn, play, create, and enjoy music.

MIDI is a technology that represents music in digital form. With a MIDI, a student can change just one note in a song or can orchestrate an entire song with entirely different instruments. When using a MIDI, students can record their own performance, providing them with the opportunity to listen to it at a later time. Students can evaluate their own progress and even study how someone else plays. Students are not limited to playing just one instrument; they can produce the sound of just about any instrument imaginable.

Other advantages to using a MIDI sequencer is that students can change the tempo, allowing them to work at their own individual pace.

Music Technology 1 will continue the computer-assisted composition process begun in the introductory course. Students will have the opportunity to explore and learn to use more advanced software, to create and produce music for audio production and multimedia projects.

Mr Lee commented that by this point he hopes that the students will be fluent with the tools and compositional projects will become more advanced and involved. “We want to get the students proficient in using the tools so that fluency doesn’t get in the way of the creative process,” he said.

In the future school administrators hope to implement a Music Technology 2 course, which would focus on film scoring. Students would combine the elements of composition, video production, audio recording, editing, and mixing to create various projects. Students would have the opportunity to bring pictures and video clips to life with their musical creations.

Mr Lee credited Michelle Hiscavich, music director for Newtown schools, and Carmella Amodeo, director of information technology, for their help in supporting the new program.

The Bee spoke earlier with Ms Hiscavich who commented that she was very enthusiastic about bringing the music technology program to the high school and that it would provide an even greater opportunity to get more students involved in the wonderful music program that already exists at Newtown High School. Ms Hiscavich went on to say that the program will encourage students who do not have a formal music education to become involved if they have an interest. She added that the program would be great for kids who have garage bands or those who are computer savvy and will attract more students to become involved in a positive direction.

Mr Lee said, “One of the things about the music technology program that is so exciting are the tools; they are very flexible so we can address very diverse experiences for students. It will allow a lot of freedom in style. One of the benefits of technology and the flexibility of the style is it allows you as the educator to capture the interest of more kids into the program. Of course the classes will have a curriculum and guidelines that will be adhered to, however it will allow for a diverse range of interests on the students part. Our course enrollments are full. We will be absolutely ready to begin on day one this fall.”