What Is IT?

Music Technology

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-music-technology.htm

"Music technology is the application of technology, such as computers and software, to the musical arts. Whether it is the use of sequencer and editing software or electronic musical devices, musical technology and its definition expands as technology expands. It is sometimes referred to as sound technology, but while these two fields are similar, they are also vastly different. Music technology encompasses the composition, recording, and playback of music, while sound technology may only encompass the production of various sounds.

Numerous colleges, tech schools, and universities offer study programs in music technology for music majors. In these programs, students can learn about technical and scientific applications as well as study acoustic science, programming, music theory, and business courses related to the music industry. Students can expect to learn digital multi-track recording, MIDI technology, digital sound processing and editing, recording techniques and more. Careers and fields that utilize an education in music and audio technology include studio production and recording, performer/composer, education, sales, and design.

Because music technology is a combination of music and technology, amateurs or those studying it professionally need a solid understanding of both. An ability to read music and play a traditional musical instrument as well as a sound understanding of computers are helpful skill sets for people considering a music technology program of study. Examples of software used in this field include Logic and ProTools.

As technology advances, it finds its way into all sorts of musical applications. For those who are creative and possess musical aptitude as well as computer skills, the possibilities are endless. New sounds and styles of music are created everyday using music technology and the wide array of options it provides. By combining a synthesizer, acoustic guitar, recording software and a computer for example, a breadth of musical stylings can be created.

Music technology and the open file-sharing made possible by the Internet have brought about a huge change in how people discover new music and new artists. Even kids, with little or no formal training, are finding ways to compose and record their own music and share it with the world from their own basements. With the advancement of technology, music advances as well and so does the potential for creative individuals to find satisfaction in the form of a hobby or a profession."

I believe that the mixture of technology and music is an amazing concept. When I was younger I knew I wanted my career to deal with music but also in an engineering way.Now I know that studying music technology will help me compose film scores and also compositions for orchestras and marching bands. Mixing the two also helps keep the art of music alive in a sense. Schools seem to cut music out of the budget but with the new technology that can enhance the learning of music and music production, the younger generations can be exposed to such sooner. Music is a fascinating art, one in which is globally known and understood and connects all of us. Giving people the opportunity to create their own music and share it through technology is a wonderful advancement in the world.

Connecticut Halftime

https://youtu.be/-8CS8XoVk7M

The Connecticut Halftime is a rudimentary piece for the snare drum. I used this piece as one of my audition pieces for Florida International University (2013) and Bowie State University (2014-Present). I started off in band (2004) playing the concert snare and have been focusing on that ever since. When I received this composition from my high school band director, it was very easy for me to sight read it and I easily learned the piece.

To this day I still read through the composition in order to practice sight reading and also just to have fun playing through the piece, I thoroughly enjoy playing it and would recommend it to any intermediate or advanced high school student. The piece could pose a challenge if you do not know your rudiments or if not all of your rudiments are up to the same constant speed in order to perform the piece correctly.

Through the use of repetition, the composer helps the performer create a constant rhythm and help the performer keep in mind their sticking. Sticking is important in order to keep the piece sounding even and repetitive.

Music Technology In Elementary Schools

Preparing Children For The Future

http://articles.courant.com/2014-02-22/community/hcrs-85872-statewide-20140221_1_music-program-music-technology-music-education

I believe it is a good cause what this program is doing for these schools. I personally believe it is great to give to those who are less fortunate than yourself, and of course I advocate for the arts especially at such a young age. It is very important that music education is continued in the school system and if younger students could get an advantage by getting the technology to help advance their knowledge then why not support them?

Giving incentives to people who donate is a smart way to get people to donate and to help get other people to donate. Also the use of social media in order to spread the link about is also helpful for the cause. "My students and parents work very hard, and I am always amazed at what we are able to do with very little resources. I hope the community shares our vision that every student should be able to experience all that music education offers, including technology that prepares students in the music careers of today."

Preparing students at the elementary school level for career in the music business could give them a huge advantage. Giving them the technology and the knowledge to further them in their studies could motivate them to better themselves in the field of music. I know if I had the technology I need now for my major a few years ago, I would be more advanced in my craft and would have more of a competitive edge on my competition.

My Role Model

South Florida Center for Percussive Arts

https://youtu.be/Yfa1oBJNU-c

When I attended Florida International University (FIU) from the summer of 2013 to the end of the fall semester, I was blessed to meet one of the most amazing and influential people in my path. Mr. Brandon Cruz recently opened his own percussion studio in Miami, Florida entitled the South Florida Center for Percussive Arts (SFCPA). The studio has rooms that include xylophones, marimbas, drum sets, auxiliary instruments, and as promoted in the video a recording studio.

Mr. Cruz was the percussion coordinator for the FIU marching band in the time frame I was enrolled. He encouraged me to become a better percussionist not only for marching band but also in concert band. He opened his studio to the drum line for free in order for us to become better in our craft. In the meantime we used his studio to hold practices and clinics in order to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Along with the studio, Mr. Cruz is a married man with now two sons. His second son being born relatively around the time he opened his percussion studio. He gives lessons to young children and even to adults on the different percussion instruments. Mr. Cruz also often hosts clinics with world renowned percussionist. A prime example would be Brett Kuhn. During the summer we had a technique clinic from Kuhn. Kuhn has played in the Disney World All-American Band and "Bret has written articles for publication in Percussive Notes Magazine and is currently on the PAS Board of Directors." Other examples would include Joe McCarthy, Ramon Porrina, and Svet Stoyanov. He also encourages people to attend clinics and workshops going on in the surrounding areas if he is not hosting one. A special program Mr. Cruz does is Drum Jam Fridays in which anyone can come and jam on one of his many drum sets (although the faster you're there, the better).

Mr. Brandon Cruz is my role model because he is following his dreams even now. He has always wanted his own studio and he fought to get the grant he needed in order to purchase the space he has. He has a space in which anyone can come in learn and genuinely have a great time while doing so. He overheard me playing the drum set one day and gave me a compliment on the groove that I was playing. Mr. Cruz is an encouraging man and always has a smile on his face making it easy to feel at home in his studio. Once he found out I was a music education major he especially encouraged me to practice and even hinted that I could possibly work for him one day. If Mr. Cruz ever reads this I  would like to say thank you for everything you've done for me whether physically or spiritually. Your warm spirit and high hopes and expectations for me have helped me push myself to higher places. I wish to own a studio as grand as yours if not ever grander and open it to all who are willing to learn and better themselves in the art of percussion.

Citations

http://bretkuhnmusic.com/bio.asp

© 2008 Bret Kuhn Music

J.S Bach

Concerto in A Minor

https://youtu.be/zVT5Wwh6mAg

Johann Sebastian Bach (also known as J.S Bach) was born March 21, 1865. For many years, his family held a reputation for being musicians and mainly had jobs as such. At a young age, Bach was taught to play the violin and harpsichord by his father and the organ by his uncle. By the age of eight, Bach had begun singing in the choir and was noted for his "uncommonly fine treble voice." At the age of nine, his mother passed away and shortly after so did his father. 

After the death of his parents, J.S Bach moved in with his older brother Johann Christoph. While living with his brother, Bach further enhanced his knowledge of the organ and harpsichord. Johann Christoph encouraged Bach to study compositions and made him copy music of German composers. While studying at school (the Gymnasium of Ohrdruf), Bach excelled and achieved top form at a very young age. His superb soprano voice landed him a spot in the choir of the wealthy Michaelis monastery of Luneburg. He then set out with his friend to travel to the monastery in the spring of 1700.

On October 17, 1707, J.S Bach married his cousin Maria Barbara. Bach had ideas for the church music of Germany and in order to change it he gather the best German music he could find, including his own, and trained the choir and orchestra to play the music. "The first result of these efforts was his cantata 'Gott ist mein König' (BWV 71), given in hitherto unknown splendor in the spacious Marienkirche to celebrate the inauguration of the Town Council in February 1708." Before he could start his next project, religious controversy arose. "Former contacts made in Weimar were now useful; the Duke of Weimar offered him a post among his Court chamber musicians, and on June 25, 1708, Bach sent in his letter of resignation to the authorities at Mühlhausen, stating very diplomatically that not only was he finding it difficult to keep a wife on the small salary agreed to on his arrival, but that he could see no chance of realizing his final aim, namely the establishment of a proper church music 'to the glory of God'. The Council had little option but to allow his departure. However, the situation was concluded quite amicably and Bach was asked that he should continue to supervise the rebuilding of the St Blasiuskirche organ. This he did, and some time in 1709 he came over to inaugurate its first performance." 

In Weimar, Bach held jobs as a member of the chamber orchestra and also the Organist for the Court Orchestra. His main function for the Court Orchestra was to play violin, but he also played the harpsichord and occasionally wrote or arranged the music. The organ was not to Bach's likings and thus he ordered that they build a new one. During this time, he was becoming known as one the of the greatest German organist in the country. "Through the help of Duke Ernst August, Bach was introduced to the Court of Anhalt-Cöthen, and as a result he was offered the post of Capellmeister, which he accepted. This infuriated the Duke of Weimar, so that when Bach put in a polite request for his release, he was arrested and put in the local jail. However, after a month, he was released and given reluctant permission to resign his office. During this enforced rest, Bach typically used his time productively, and prepared a cycle of organ chorale preludes for the whole year, published later as the 'Orgelbüchlein'."

J.S Bach arrived at Cothen to accept the job as Capellmeister, the highest ranking musician job during the baroque age. Life in the town was easy, thus Bach spent most of his days focusing on his music, in which he wrote most of his chamber music. It is said that during this time Bach composed Concerto in A minor.

I played this composition my senior year of high school during the time frame of February-May 2013. The original piece of music was composed for violin. I played the composition on the xylophone and it was such a fascinating piece to play. It is very powerful and has room for interpretation. I had an excellent time learning the composition from start to end and my hard work paid off. I used the composition for county and state festival, as well as one of my entrance audition pieces for Florida International University (2013) and also Bowie State University (2014-present).

At the moment of practicing for months and rehearsing, this composition was the most difficult music I had been faced with. It was also a new experience playing with an accompanist and hearing how the composer wrote the piece was just amazing. Listening to a composition and actually playing it with your interpretation are two different emotions and I had the best feeling whenever I would completely play the concerto from beginning to end. On each of the festivals that I attended I was graded an I (Superior rating) and for my auditions I have received scholarship from both schools.