ARTISTRY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Believing that music teaching involves the development of distinct “voices”, this initiative takes the position that MIDI composition should be developed from an early age of music training. Young students are familiar with the sounds and the technology. Accomplished composers and arrangers are using this medium. To start this early in music training connects the music development of each student to the ultimate composition and arranging medium.
Successfully launched this initiative to incorporate the highest level music teaching into the world of technology. Using notation software and lessons based on learning notes, rhythm patterns, forms of music, key and time signatures, and any music theory or analysis concepts, a distinctive MIDI based voice can be developed in students.
Working from the vantage of a Dalcroze trained educator and teacher trainer, listening and movement games resulting in both aural and cognitive understanding can be channeled to improvisation and composition exercises. These exercises are adapted to using MIDI composition notation software.
Resulting works are sophisticated and artistic compositions from students who may or may not play instruments. This distinct voice is an area all its own and has its place in the classroom as a component of a complete music education program.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
COMPOSITIONS
Students in grades 5 through 8 work chosen for live performance through The Vermont MIDI Project Opus Concert Series.
Students in Grades 5 through 6 work chosen for Student examples on The Vermont MIDI Project website under both Elementary School and Middle School.
Visit www.vtmidi.org to view. Click on Opus and Student Work areas to see and listen to these works. All identified as Maple Street School entires.
SINGING
CHORAL
Students auditioned and chosen for Green Mountain District 5 Chorus from 2003 through 2005. For 2004 and 2005 choruses all students who auditioned were accepted.
OPERA
Students performed in children’s chorus for Hansel and Gretel and Help! Help! The Globolinks with Opera Theater of Weston in 2001 and 2003.
Students chosen as lead for performances of Amahl and The Night Visitors and for Boy Soprano part in Chichester Psalms in 2005.
Students performing in The Little Prince with Opera Theater of Weston in 2006.
TELEVISION SHOW
Wrote, directed, and starred in Music and The Young Child for CAT-TV in Bennington, Vermont.
Each episode featured children from local schools and day care centers. The children were participating in music activities that parents could do with their children in their homes.
The Howard Gardner intelligence areas were addressed – showing how music can enhance learning in all seven areas: linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.
Music terms were introduced and also simple music notation. These were incorporated into fun activities that were easy to do at home along with the show.
Further, the show was targeting an audience that may not have had developmentally appropriate music experiences available to them in their schools or day care programs.
