music education

Thanks to the riddim method for the post on this very interesting and amusing video clip that has some pretty fascinating implications for the future of performing live re-mixing. While the clip demonstrates the use of pre-existing music videos, with a little bit of imagination the (controversial) software he demonstrates can probably be used in some very interesting (and legal) ways in a music program. Imagine video taping your students performing music and then having another student use this software… Read More »Re-mixing the music video live

The princeton laptop orchestra is getting even more press. The plork had me wondering about the potential for laptop orchestras in public school music programs earlier this month. If schools aren’t ready to move to an exclusively electronic ensemble maybe they can make a transition to an electro acoustic ensemble with just a few laptoppers (or is it laptopists)?

The jazz ensemble is not the only group that students can improvise in. Groups that create their own electronic “instruments” do exist and can provide a model for an interesting collaboration between the music and technology departments of your school. If you or your students don’t want to create musical electronic devices from scratch you can always work on modifying something and see/hear what happens.

Corey Dargel’s thought-provoking article on contemporary art songs gives some food for thought and has some interesting implications for our music classrooms. I’ve had some pretty good success with approaching art songs with my fifth grade general music students focusing on the Erlking by Schubert and ending up with students creating their own art songs.  After reading Mr. Dargel’s article I can see many ways to expand the discussion and listening examples of art songs I use in the classroom. … Read More »Students creating contemporary art songs….