Music Technology Electives that workat the Secondary Level

Thomas Rudolph, Ed.D.School District of Haverford Township

Havertown, PA 19083www.tomrudolph.comterudolph@aol.com

National Trend:More Required Electives

• National and State Music Standardshttp://www.menc.org/publication/books/standards.htm

• NETS Standardshttp://www.coastal.edu/education/ti/standards.html

• Performers/Non-PerformersMusic technology can address the entire student population

• Music Electives can create newperforming groups, clubs, and activities

Music Technology Electivesat Selected schools

• Bay Shore HS, Bay Shore, New York• Dr. Phillips HS, Orlando, FL• Douglas Anderson School of the Arts,

Jacksonville, Florida• Haverford HS, Havertown, PA• Hilltop HS, Chula Vista, CA• James Blake HS, Silver Spring, MD• Roosevelt HS St. Louis, MO

Five main areas to consider:

1. Music theory and composition2. Music composition, arranging & music

technology fundamentals3. Playing electronic instruments4. Digital audio recording and editing5. Multimedia: presentations, web design,

film scoring, audio/video(no one program includes them all; some combine two ormore of the above topics in one course. Most schools offerbeginning and advanced courses)

1. Music Theory and Composition

Traditional music theory course, using software toenhance independent learning; compositionprojects (usually notation-based) to put skills intopractice.

Instructor Technology background required:minimal (TI:ME level one courses or equivalentexperience)

Audience: All students Course Titles:

Music Theory/Composition I (Bayshore HS) Music Theory and Composition 1A & 1B (James

Blake HS)

1. Music Theory and Composition

• Required Hardware/Software: Computers, Keyboards (optional); Theory Ear-training software; Notation or Music Production Software.

• Textbooks: Alfred Theory Books Music Fundamentals by Mauricio and

Adams

1. Music Theory/Comp. SampleCourse Description:

Music Theory and Composition 1A & 1BJames Blake HS

The main objective of this course is the developmentof music literacy. Students experience melodic,harmonic, and rhythmic dictation, keyboard harmony,and sight singing. Students also learn how to arrangemusic for various combinations of voices. Theelements of music are stressed through emphasis onmusic terminology, notation, major and minor scales,intervals, triads, and beginning part writing.

(Sibelius and Auralia screens)

2. Music Composition,Arranging, & Music Tech.

A wide variety of software is used: Notation software based – Sibelius or Finale Music production software-based: GarageBand,

Reason, Home Studio, Band-in-a-Box and others.Instructor Technology background required:

moderate to advanced (TI:ME Level Twocourses or equivalent experience)

Audience: Notation-based best for performers; Music production software best for performers

and non-performers.

Music Lab

Dr. Phillips HighSchool,Orlando, Florida

2. Music Composition,Arranging, & Music Tech.

Required Hardware:• MIDI lab with Keyboards and computers

Course Titles:• Song Writing by Computer – Haverford HS• Music theory/composition II & III (Bayshore HS)• Music and Its Technology A & B (James Blake HS)• Electronic Music I/II (two levels combined) Dr. Phillips

High School, Orlando, FL• Music Technology I & II (Hilltop HS)

TextBooks:• Music Fundamentals by Mauricio & Adams• Teaching Music with Reason

2. Music Comp., Arr. & Music TechSample Course Description

Electronic Music I Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Electronic Music I is designed to providemusic students with a basic understanding ofproducing music electronically. It is gearedas a hands-on survey of electronic musicfrom its inception in the late eighteen-hundreds to the latest music technologyavailable today.

Sample file from Dr. Phillips HS, Orlando, Florida “News Spot” -SoundTree lesson

3. Playing ElectronicInstruments

Performing Ensembles using electronicinstrumentsInstructor Technology background required:

• Moderate to advanced (TI:ME Level Twocourses or equivalent experience)

Audience:• Performers and students who play non-

band/orchestra instruments

3. Playing ElectronicInstruments

Hardware:• MIDI keyboard• Guitar• MIDI Controllers

Course Titles:• Electronic Keyboard Lab (Haverford HS)• Piano Lab 1A & 1B (James Blake HS)• Guitar Lab 1A & 1B (James Blake HS)• Music Tech Ensemble 1, 2 (Hilltop HS)

3. Playing Electronic Instr.Sample Course Description

Music Tech Ensemble - Hilltop HSThis course is an advanced performance orientedensemble that utilizes the latest in electronic musicalinstruments such as synthesizers, electronicpercussion, and electric guitars, in combination withacoustic instruments and vocals. Performances andrehearsals outside of class time are required. Theclass continues advanced study in musicalperformance with electronic and acoustic musicinstruments, and vocals in variety of ensemblesettings typically encountered by professionalmusicians.

Sample file from Hilltop HS: canonindmajor_big

4. Digital Audio

Stereo and multitrack recording; audio editing,microphones, digital audio basics.

Instructor Technology background required:advanced (TI:ME Level 2 or equivalent)

Audience: All StudentsCourse Titles:

• Digital Audio 1 and 2 – Haverford HS.• Music Engineering & Music Business – Hilltop HS• Electronic Music II - Dr. Phillips HS

Hardware/Software:• Computers with digital audio recording software

4. Digital Audio

Sample Course Description:Digital Audio 1 - Haverford High School

Open to students in ALL levels, one quarter. Open to allgrades. No prerequisite. This course is designed for thestudent who has little or no experience in the area of digitalrecording. No musical training is required. All students mustprovide their own stereo 1/8" jack headphones. Students willdevelop an understanding of the basic concepts of thescience of sound and digital audio, demonstrate anunderstanding of microphones and microphone placement,edit audio using digital audio software, and burn audio to aCD.

Sample file from Haverford HS: 05VST Drums STUDENT

5. Multimedia: Presentations,Websites, Film Scoring

Creating multimedia using presentation softwareand/or web design; Scoring music to accompanyvideo using high-end software such as Final Cutand Premier.

Instructor Technology background required:• advanced (TI:ME Level 2 courses or equiv.)

Audience: All studentsRequired Hardware/Software: Computers &

Software designed for specific applications: AdobePremier, Final Cut Express, Dreamweaver,PowerPoint and other related titles.

5. Multimedia: Presentations,Websites, Film Scoring

Course Titles:• Multimedia – Bay Shore HS;• Web Design/Multimedia Arts 1, 2 – Hilltop HS

Sample Course Description - Bayshore HS   Students in the Multi-media course will utilize state-of-the-art

technology to create and develop digital portfolios on CD-Romand video format. They will also produce audio Cd's, DVD anddigital video pieces including web pages and animated works.Students will become proficient in using professional softwareproducts including Adobe Photoshop, DVD Pro and AdobeDreamweaver and Final Cut Pro.

Sample projects: Mike Fein’s class, Havertown, PADr. Charles Murphy, St. Louis, MO

Where to begin

1. Start with existing music staff – someone with aninterest in technology

2. Start with the existing school computer lab3. Offer an elective (some schools offer two levels at

once)4. Add a dedicated music technology lab

• Add additional electives – in no particular order.5. Teachers seek out technology training at colleges

and universities• TI:ME level one and level Two certification(www.ti-me.org)

Support and Service

Support and Service for Music TechnologyLabs:

1. SoundTree – www.soundtree.com2. Roland – www.rolandus.com3. Yamaha – www.yamaha.com

Reference Articles

• Profiles of schools in each issue ofMusic Education Technology Magazine:www.metmagazine.com

• SoundTree lesson planswww.soundtree.com/teachingresources• Article Reviewing specific music tech

lab applications: Music TechnologyLabs by John Kuzmichhttp://www.sbomagazine.com/sbomag/apr03/technology.aspx

Reference books:

Technology Guide for Music EducatorsTI:ME publication; edited by S. Watson

Teaching Music with Technologyby Tom Rudolph

Strategies for Teaching: TechnologyEdited by Sam Reese (MENC publication)

Schools and Web Links

• Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Jacksonville, Flhttp://www.educationcentral.org/dasota/dasota/arts/arts.htm

• Bay Shore HS, Bay Shore, NYhttp://www.bayshore.k12.ny.us/

• Douglas Anderson School of the Artshttp://www.dphs.ocps.net/

• Haverford HS, Havertown, PAhttp://www.feinmusic.com/digitalrecording/Welcome.html

• Hilltop HS, Chula Vista, CA,.http://hhs.suhsd.k12.ca.us/~musictech/

• James Blake HS, Silver Spring, MDhttp://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/blakehs/departments/music/index.htm

• Roosevelt HS St. Louis, MODr. Charles Murphy babamac@mac.com