Category: Breaking News

There is no doubt that technology has an increasing presence in everyone’s daily lives. Through access to technology, music can be composed, shared, discussed, and listened to on a multitude of platforms. Back in Mozart’s day no one could have ever imagined YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music. So how do we find a balance between music and tech in the modern era while still appreciating the roots established by the musical greats before us?

As musicians, the Internet provides more opportunities than ever before. It is now easier to find an ensemble or a gig, and with websites like the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) we can find sheet music online within a matter of seconds.

How does it affect how we learn music? The methods of music theory education are becoming more all-encompassing in today’s times. Teachers around the world can share their curricula with each other, and there are more platforms that students can use to fit their learning style. For visual learners, there are hundreds of music theory videos online, because not everyone learns very well with the conventional book and paper style. Almost any piece of music can be played back on command using the Internet, helping strengthen students’ aural skills with pieces that may be above their personal ability level.

Music history is now more accessible than it ever has been. Musicians can easily do research on a piece they are playing and understand the composer’s background as well as stylistic details from the time period to incorporate into their performance.

With the invention of MIDI technology (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), musicians can play electronic instruments and have their music transcribed or recorded into a computer rather than write all of the notes and chords by hand. This kind of technology allows for remixes, which reimagine songs and breathe new life into them.

The question may be asked, is all of this technological advancement drawing us farther from the musical traditions of the greats? Bach never got to use Finale or Logic Pro and he’s arguably one of the greatest of all time. Musicians today don’t have to go through the painstaking process of writing out all of their compositions on paper and seeking out others to offer help or critique. But that is more of a help than a hindrance. Technology is making all of the transcription processes easier, allowing for more effort to be put into the creativity and the musicality of a piece. With sites like SoundCloud, musicians who are just getting started can share their work with each other and actually have a chance at making a name for themselves.

So how do we keep this momentum going?

1. Take advantage of the age you live in. Stream an album or two from genres you are less familiar with. Expand your horizons and gain a broader appreciation for all the music that is out there today.
2. Share your own music with the world and accept the critique of others through the Internet. Be sure to check out other artists like you, you might be able to learn from them! Someone out there today is the next great composer. Maybe they’re in your SoundCloud feed.
3. Find a balance. Continue to support your local bands and symphonies, but also use technology to listen to artists from across the world. Practice your instrument “in real life”, but also try your hand at MIDI instruments and mixing music.

How do you feel about technology and music? Comment your thoughts and we can keep the conversation going.

Katie Ball, MTMS Gahanna Computer Lab Lead

Recently, MTMS student Jeila was awarded with the New Albany Eighth Grade Student of the Year Award. Jeila takes flute lessons with Angela here at MTMS, but she also plays piccolo and saxophone. She is a member of the MTMS Flute Choir as well as the concert band at school. Jeila will be pursuing Honor Band and marching band next year when she enters high school.

Jeila’s love of music started at a young age, and she began piano lessons when her older brother Jerrin showed an interest. But when she started band in middle school, it became clear that her true musical calling is playing the flute. She loves practicing on her own, but also plays with her two older brothers, who also study here at MTMS.

Jeila is on our most advanced program in the computer lab, called MacGamut. She works on ear training and scale notation at a very advanced level. She has taken lessons from MTMS for about seven years, and told me that what she has learned through MTMS carries over into her musical life outside of this school. I asked her about her plans for the future and she wasn’t quite sure yet, but told me she always wants to have music in her life.

We are very proud of you Jeila, and cannot wait to see what you do next!

A few weeks ago, we asked our younger students to fill out a survey so we could get better insight into what their thoughts and feelings are about music and learning. After a week of “wait how do you spell…” and “I can’t pick just one!” here’s what our students look for in a teacher:

“What do you think makes someone a good teacher?”

• “One who challenges students and studies ways to make the classroom a productive learning environment.” -Alycia
• “They are kind, helpful, and AWESOME!!!!!!” -Gargi
• “I think good teachers are those that are able to adapt to the way that the students learn the best.” -Trey
• “Treating your students as relative equals.” -Lauren
• “Someone who is funny, and understands what I am struggling with. Someone who tells me how I can make myself better because I know when I am not doing my best.” -Avi
• “One that is patient, one with personality, and a broad knowledge of the topic they teach. Also one that has humor.” -Mahir
• “A good teacher must be funny, kind, and smart.  My teacher is all that!!” -Sasha
• “Teach me stuff.” -Priya
• “The ability to listen and adapt based on what the students need.” -Thomas

It made me smile when one student said, “I don’t really know how to answer this question, but I think my teacher is a good teacher, can I just describe her?” At MTMS we know that learning is a lifelong process, and we have just as much to learn from our students as they do from us. Thank you for lending your input, we appreciate each and every one of you! 💜

Written by Katie Ball, Gahanna Lab Lead

This week I talked to Willow, one of our french horn students here at the MTMS Gahanna campus. Willow is a high school senior, and she recently committed to the Peabody Institute of Music at Johns Hopkins University, where she will be pursuing a degree in french horn performance.

At MTMS, Willow takes lessons with Krissandra, one of our main winds and brass instructors. Willow told me that Krissandra has helped her more than any teacher has before, both with her music skills and the college application process. To audition for music school involves many steps, including pre-screening recordings and auditions. Krissandra helped Willow pick her repertoire and wrote letters of recommendation to the schools she applied to in addition to teaching her the music along the way.

Willow has been working hard on music composition projects in the computer lab since she tested out of MacGamut, the hardest program we offer here. When I asked her how she felt about her theory training here, she said that it was “nice to have a place to practice music theory skills every week.” As a high school senior, things are busy enough as is, and to sit and practice theory for just 20 minutes a week helps keep the information fresh and helps students prepare for music theory placement tests they will have to take once they get to college. MacGamut is used in most music departments across the US, so having experience with it already will make theory a little easier in college!

We are so proud of Willow and her accomplishments! Thank you for being such a dedicated student and sharing your experiences with us. We wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors. 💜

Willow’s next performance with MTMS will be May 11th at the Adult Recital. She and Krissandra will be performing Gallay’s Grand Duet No. 2 (Allegro Poco Agitato), you won’t want to miss it!

Musically,

Katie Ball, Lab Lead