My classroom is full of exploration and creation in music. Students are learning not only to be great musicians, but to love all types of music and to create new sounds they cherish. In other words: to perform, to appreciate, to understand, and to create.
Music is more than just notes on a page!
My students want the chance to explore different avenues of musical experience and to connect what they are learning to the things they already love. Help our school to continue our exploration into new avenues of music with electronics.
Our school is a public elementary school in Washington State. We have a 90% free or reduced lunch rate and we have many students who do not have the resources available to provide them with rich and unique experiences. We have a large ELD and immigrant population. During this first year working with my students in this building, I have been amazed by how much these students are willing to try and experience in music class. They are dedicated musicians who perform as professionals in the classroom and in the rest of the school.
My Project
Following the successful integration of electronics into my classroom earlier this year we have been talking about more ways to include technology into our musical landscape. As an electronic music composer I always want to bring that aspect of my life to my students and the idea of an electronic music club seemed to be a good fit for our students. This club would meet outside of the school day and students would be given the chance to learn new skills including recording, mixing, mastering, building controllers and robots, matching music to picture, and creating new sounds through processing and synthesis techniques. Each year the club members will focus on a specific set of these skills and use them to complete a project such as a recording, electronic sound installation, sound design project, or media project. In order to complete their projects the students will need laptops, studio condenser microphones, field recorders, a midi controller, speakers, and an interface.
My students do not have a lot of opportunity to explore new and interesting technologies or to expand their experiences with modern music.
They love electronics in music because they already hear it in the music they listen to everyday, but most of them don't see music as a possible future for them. This equipment will present my students with an opportunity to try out new technologies and possibly to find a future career in music and electronics.
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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. Tolley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
