MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
The Music Technology program is designed for students who not have musical training in band or chorus. Students gain skills in manipulating sound objects and learn to be expressive and creative in the process. The creation of original music/arrangements/sound objects as Mp3's is a culminating focus for Music Technology in Grades 6-8. Potential careers following exposure to music technology are: music composition, sequencing, sound editing, music software programming and advertising.
Music Technology Instruction begins in 6th grade at the Middle School where a state-of the-art Music Technology Lab provides the resources for students to learn music theory elements, music history and style, keyboard skills, composition, arranging, looping and sound design. At the high school level students explore sequencing, loop programming, effects and generators as they learn to manipulate traditional music to satisfy their creative needs. Endless combinations and arrangements of pre-existing music is possible in the high school music lab. Students finish with a cartoon voice-over of a video clip.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM OVERVIEW GRADES 6-8
Review of Music Fundamentals (staff, note names, pitch differentiation, timbre recognition, basic keyboard skills) using MUSIC ACE Lessons and Games.
GRADE 7
Brief review of music fundamentals, introduction to music notation, instrumentation (all styles and genres), score layout, creating sheet music, copying and arranging music, intermediate keyboard skills, treble and bass clef, MIDI technology (history, uses and creation of).
GRADE 8
"Creating and Producing Digital Music": Analysis of musical style and form, digital audio (history and terms), loop-based music production, recording and creating original sound objects, manipulating and creating effects, podcasting, Mp3 music production. Weblink to the Grade 8 Music Tech Program Project Blog.
- Here are some sample music compositions by 8th grade students (2007-2008 school year)