While looking online for information on MAX/MSP patches I came across an online electronic music community. We don’t often hear about computers being used as instruments to perform in public schools and when it comes to electronic instruments we are usually referring to electric guitars, basses and keyboards. One of the topics I find myself returning to in this blog is the use of technology to go beyond what we have traditionally done in public school music programs. When I watched this video of the electronic music community conference, this idea became much more tangible. What would happen if we fostered electronic music communities in our schools?
This also reminded me of a lengthy dialogue that took place several months ago regarding technology and music education in reference to traditional ensembles and instrumental technique. I wonder how long it will be before ensembles and school music programs incorporate some of the technology that the electronic music community embrace? Can we imagine music programs in which students playing acoustic instruments sit side by side students performing less traditional electronic instruments?
I and a colleague of mine have been contemplating this very issue at our school. Florida has instituted a manadtory 1 credit in fine or performing arts as a graduation requrement for students beginning w/the class of ’08.
The problem is, instrumental music really suffers when we are expected to offer no prerequisite or entry level classes. Our programs are built from the middle school and are populated by students who continue studying their instrument from the middle school level. This new requirement has FORCED us to question how music education is delivered in the school.
While I see traditional bands, orchestras and choirs remaining in the curriculum, there is a growing demand for electroinic music, as demonstrated by the overwhelming response to our course offering “Electronic Music 1”. We had to open two more sections and still were turing students away!
The only thing we need to be careful of IMO is the isolation of GarageBand- that is, students who view music solely as a personal experience that does not interact with others. The real beauty of ensemble playing is learning to create music while relying on one another in a team approach.
Instructive and informative post!! Thanks for sharing!!