Utilizing Technological Resources to Impact Symphonic Ensembles
Hardware and software used to support curricula are often the focus when considering technological influences in music education. Adjusting the lens to view how technology enhances performance ensembles, a myriad of perspectives develop. Utilizing Internet tools, interacting in a virtual environment, and infusing electronics to augment ensemble sonority impact teacher preparation, curriculum and ensemble performance.
Listening to excerpts, researching scores of varied genres, grades, and styles, and interacting with composers via the internet, provides resources beyond paper catalog descriptions and makes listening to, and studying literature immediate. Recordings are available online in various formats from CDBaby, CDNOW hosted by amazon.com, cd Universe and the Digital Media Mall, a feature of Windows Media Player. Via iTunes (see Fig. 1) teachers are able to preview excerpts, purchase individual tracks, and download albums into digital music libraries. In this format music can be sorted, transported and played virtually anywhere at any time. The iTunes gift feature allows for the legal sharing of music with colleagues, fostering collaboration. The natural extension of this active research and alignment is the development of a comprehensive music education program that ultimately benefits students.
The future-forward technological STORMWORLD of composer Stephen Melillo is an interactive environment providing diverse resources for teachers. Stormworld.com includes an online catalog, piece descriptions, audio samples, score excerpts, and teacher tools. Now in 28 countries, the Music of 21st Century Composer, Stephen Melillo, has been played and recorded by some of the World's finest ensembles and conductors. More than 950 works span from the IBM Thinkpad® to the Concerto for Violin & Orchestra. Currently 117 commissions for Wind & Percussion Ensembles of the 3rd Millennium comprise the body of recorded work called “STORM” works.
Posted on the site are testimonials spanning directors who’ve utilized his teaching tools to world-class international Conductors who continue to render his music. His work can be attained in various formats to meet director’s needs. Since 1993, PDFs have been available to facilitate instantaneous delivery and electronic storage of music. CDRs or Laser Printouts shipped via standard mail are additional options for purchase. PDFs and CDRs enable the production of unlimited legal copies of Melillo’s works for various genres, grades and styles. Storage on CDR conserves space and fosters organization. He states, “The future people talk about is already STORMWORKS' History!”
The Let’s Find Out Teaching Suite: Hypertools for the Music Educator is a powerful professional development catalyst. This trilogy of Scaleworks™, Rhythm Readers™ and Function Chorales™ are designed to establish a foundation for exceptional ensemble musicianship. A DVD guiding teachers in the process, and a CDR including all 22 Function Chorales and resources, comprise the Suite.
STORMWORLDis equipped with links to acquire CDs at www.cdbaby.com or as downloads from iTunes. Melillo’s tools and compositions provide essential, integrated curricula for elementary school beginning bands through university level programs.
Once the technological quest for performance literature begins, resources abound, providing an exciting network of opportunities for teachers. Video conferencing with composers, colleagues, and other schools is now possible. Have you thought about setting up a video exchange concert with any school in the world? Maybe you have an associate on the other side of the state who teaches a similar genre as you. Have you considered looking into the resources that your school district provides to conference virtually? Imagine working on the same composition as another school and observing each other’s rehearsals. Students from partnering schools can dialogue about analysis, discuss differences and similarities in approach to performance, and share live performances. Having a composer/guest clinician to work with ensembles is meaningful, but often funding is a concern. A videoconference with live interaction is an excellent, cost-effective opportunity worthy of investigation. This is another means by which composer Stephen Melillo is paving trends. Directors can learn about the ways in which he makes this tool a reality at stormworld.com (select TOOLS, then Video Conferencing). In-house technology assistants are local experts within schools who know which resources are accessible to teachers and students. Music teachers can discover the vast technological opportunities available when closely connected with these individuals.
The utilization of technological resources impacts curriculum, programming, and ensemble performance. Careful and thoughtful research, planning, and programming foster the growth of instrumental programs as innovative technology-driven opportunities for learning and performing are embraced. The approach to rehearsal and performance are critical in cultivating the development of student musicians, and the immersion of technology will dramatically influence ensemble classrooms. Part two of this article series will focus on infusing electronic media into symphonic ensembles.
Authors
Elizebeth Sokolowski is the learning Coordinator for K-12 Music and Art Programs of Penn School District (Lansdale, PA). sokolwe@npenn.org
Ralph Ford is Director of Bands and Coordinator of Winds and Percussion at Troy University (Troy, AL). rford@troy.edu
Contributors
Walter Avellaneda graduated from The Catholic University of America in May 2007 and has accepted a position as Director of Instrumental Music at John F. Kennedy High School (Bellmore, NY) wally@wfamusic.com
Tom Davis is K-12 Curriculum Area Lead Teacher for the Canandaigua City School District (Canandaigua, NY) www.tomdavismusic.com
Dr. William V. Johnson is Director of Bands at The California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, CA) wjohnson@calpoly.edu and www.windorchestra.calpoly.edu
