Our composer is Doug O'Grady who is Assistant Professor of Music at Western Connecticut State University. The concert is May 12.
The idea of this project is:
1. Create opportunities for students at Seymour High School. Provide them with mentors and an authentic experience. We will have extensive visits from WSO and WCSU musicians.
2. Create the first true piece for orchestra that uses the iPad. Explore the iPad as an instrument.
3. Create and solidify the partnership between WCSU, SHS, and WSO.
4. Show students and the orchestra that authentic, modern music is happening and its happening in Connecticut.
We have a lot of work to do. Doug passed it to me. I have promised we will do his piece justice. Spreading the word would be helpful. We think this is pretty cool in many ways.
We spent a good amount of time evaluating Dean's Guitar Project. Our students evaluated Dean's playing and created short lessons to send back to him via youTube. This is part of our curriculum that students will be able to evaluate performances and be able to have intelligent conversations about music.
Click link to find out how Dean responded to the project.
Finding what to say next was a challenge for them. As part of this project Dean Shareski prepared a short video for us to play at our winter concert and two of our students performed the Canadian rock anthem Heart of Gold which Dean had been working on.
I have decided to bridge that experience into a unit on recording. Morgan, a 12th grader, and Austin, a 11th grader have begun recording in our new recording studio (a computer with protools and a good microphone). We also will be creating a music video.
We have an audience and we intend to use it. Creating a project that mixes the national music standards with the 21st century standards can be a challenge, but I think this may be a project that hits just about all of the curriculum standards.
The interesting thing is we had no idea that we would do this project. Sometimes an opportunity arises and you go for it.
Here is the unmixed, rhythm guitar and vocal draft version so you can get an idea. I hope to have mixed version by Friday and music video in two weeks.
I wanted to tell you what is in store for the next six months of school. There is a lot that I want to accomplish. In no particular order:
1. iAlchemy. Theory students performing with the Waterbury Symphony. This is a huge deal. The piece, iAlchemy, is done and we will receive it soon. We will perform as full members of the orchestra. We will rehearse with orchestra, visit the composer at WCSU and do lots of other activities.
2. Recording session. We have contracted for a recording session this spring (probably end of April). We will professionally record all the groups and many of our soloists. Most of you have not been in a recording session and I think its important that we experience that.
3. Spring Trip. We will be heading for our yearly adjudication trip again this year which will include a day at Lake Compounce. I hope to keep costs to $20. I also hope to get Superior ratings for both groups. The trip is scheduled for May 18.
4. Recruitment drive. I hope to double our band numbers and hit 50 in choir. We can do it! I also think many of you should double up with music theory, band, guitar, or hip-hop methods. Getting a larger group helps everyone! I would LOVE to have two choirs (beginning and advanced, or freshman and upperclass). Growing a great music department starts with the band and choir. Start talking to your friends.
5. Talent Show. The choir will do a condensed version of Guys and Dolls at the Spring Talent show. This will be a A LOT of work but I’m excited to make it happen. The talent show will also be a fundraiser for our trip. Everyone should block off May 4 for the show. Who should play Nathan Detroit?
6. Videos, archives, song creations. We have started making music videos in the theory class and I hope to expand this to choir shortly. Student use of our recording studio needs to expand. I would love to do a lipdub (google it...).
7. All-State and Regional Festivals. Alex and Christian will attend the 2 day Southern regional festival next weekend and will work hard to audition for All-State in February. We will do everything we can to support them.
8. Mentor Visits. We have a scheduled visit from Dr. Isaacs and the WCSU choir in May, we will have about 8-10 visits from Waterbury Symphony musicians to prepare for iAlchemy, and I hope to have several visits from other musicians either live or via Skype.
9. Honor Groups. We are thinking of creating a 5-12 grade district choir and 5-12 grade district band. This is just an idea at this point. We will have some after school activity to allow student more time to sing or play their instrument.
Here are my questions:
1. Whats the best way to get the audio from the TV to the soundboard?
2. Is there an easy way to switch between iPads to display on the TV screen?
3. Should I completely switch to iTunes Match?
4. Does Apple TV take over some of the functions from the iPad. For example, should I just play youTube from the AppleTV interface?
I definitely should have bought a bigger TV. I'm hoping the next grant can handle that?
