Friday, October 15, 2004

With the help of computer technology, two Episcopal sixth-graders who had never learned to play an instrument are composing their own music.

Keller Q. and Jordan T. were students in choir director Jason Hubbard’s first quarter sixth-grade enrichment class. They learned about musical composition with the help of MIDI - musical instrument digital interface - and the Finale software program.

The students came up with their own arrangement of “Amazing Grace” and composed an as-yet untitled original piece that may be featured in an upcoming school dance concert.

Mr. Hubbard said the technology allows the students to grasp musical concepts much more quickly than they normally would. The students are learning musical technology, are gaining an understanding of the compositional process and are learning how technology and music influence each other, Mr. Hubbard said.

“It’s probably going to be the best enrichment class,” Keller said.

Jordan agreed. “It’s really fun,” he said. “I didn’t know anything about notes before I came here.”

Now the students not only know about notes, but they can read and create their own sheet music.