Our students live in rural upstate NY, on the border of MA and CT. They are diverse in terms of interests and experiences, but universally wonderful and curious. At over 60% low-income families, our population is shrinking while the poverty level is rising.
Our students LOVE music!
Our Music program has been subject to staffing and program cuts over the last few years due to shrinking population and financial challenges. We're looking to expand opportunities and experiences for our students.
My Project
We are turning to technology in order to offer our students as many opportunities as possible to participate in Music Education, especially at the middle and high school levels. With this Roland Boutique SE-02 Analog Synthesizer students will be able to create music in a distinctive way, outside of the traditional Band and Chorus experiences that are usually offered in school.
The analog synthesizer, an electronic sound production device that is used to create and customize musical tones, is an extraordinary and exciting way to explore the intersection of Music, Science and Technology!
Its unlimited creative potential makes it attention grabbing!
An analog synthesizer produces waveforms of different shapes that are passed through various filters which alter specific properties of the sound. Students have almost infinite control over creating and shaping unique tones using properties of sound, such as waveform, decay, sustain, resonance, etc. Students will have immense opportunity to experiment with the effects each parameter has over the sound and to create their own unique tones to use in musical settings.
All of the controls are physical: sliders, knobs, or switches. Students will have a more visual and tactile experience without having to dig into menus or deal with touch screens. A student can create a custom sound on the SE-02 then connect it to other electronic instruments (like the Theremini that we just got though DonorsChoose!) or even a computer or iPad. The music played by the connected instrument or device will use the tone that the student created on the SE-02 Analog Synthesizer.
The Roland Boutique SE-02 Analog Synthesizer will be a great addition to the multi-use electronic music lab we are developing. We are excited to expose our middle and high School students to the intersection of Music, Science and Technology utilizing analog sound design principles.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Wiener and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
