2008 Grant Proposal Details

Creative Computer Composers   Kennedy Middle School

Total: $2000

Description:  Kennedy Middle School has three computer labs that have access to Garage Band. With 30 piano-type keyboards, and 30 sets of headphones students could compose their own music. The keyboards could be used by the entire student body. (Apple M-Audio Keystation 49e)

Why is this important?  Garage Band is a program that is fun for everyone. The real creativity, however, is in the composition. With keyboards, students not only use the sound tracks provided in the Garage Band program, they actually write their own melodies, create harmonies, chord progressions, and rhythms to go with the melodies, and then record and share their compositions with others. In the band classroom, the setting is not conducive to students writing individual compositions. Picture 50 students with their instruments out, in the same room, at the same time, trying to create their own individual works. With a computer lab and keyboards, students would have the perfect place and equipment to create entirely new pieces. The keyboards would also provide a fun opportunity for students to be creative through improvisation, expansion of musical knowledge and skills, and exploration of different music styles. Keyboards are extremely effective motivators; extending many student’s involvement in the Arts. The use of keyboards is also an excellent way to teach music theory because they are so visual and can play multiple notes, or chords, which are the framework of music. Piano keyboards would enable many more students to participate in music since the entire school would have access to the technology. And although it is helpful, one does not have to have any special musical training to write music with Garage Band since the program allows the student to “play” the music--via the keyboard--onto the computer. The computer can then notate the music. In this way, a math class could make use of learning about division or fractions. The screen can show you the progression of time of each measure while a metronome plays, on the computer, in the background. Kinesthetic , hands-on experience, good for ELL students as well... While music-reading reinforces students’ decoding skills, writing music, or “encoding”, helps to build upon students’ basic math skills--such as understanding fractions and ratios. Self-esteem, confidence building, personal achievement; all are areas developed through creative opportunities like this. The compositions students create could be used for projects in all of their classes.

Who will be served?  All 500 of the students at Kennedy will be served. Piano keyboards would enable many more students to participate in music since the entire school would have access to the technology. And although it is helpful, one does not have to have any special musical training to write music with Garage Band since the program allows the student to “play” the music--via the keyboard--onto the computer.

How will this be evaluated?  The success of this program will be measured in two ways. Evaluation of band students will be done by students' performing their compositions for the class, printing them out, and even performing them at concerts. Feedback will also be requested from the other teachers using the keyboards with their classes.

Does this build on existing programs?  Does this proposal build upon existing programs at your school? There are over 150 students involved in the band program at Kennedy Middle School. Establishing a composition element will build directly on the band program in many ways. Creativity is a wonderful part of music that regular bands are often unable to delve into because there are 12 distinctly different, loud instruments being played in four different keys by 30 to 50 students at once. Using music keyboards with the Garage Band programs will provide experience that will help students expand not only on their compositional skills but also listening skills, improvisational skills, and knowledge of musical styles.

Budget:  $4200.00 total for keyboards and headphones 3,000.00 budget is dedicated entirely to pay for thirty Apple keyboards (M-Audio Keystation 49e - USB Midi Keyboard) at $99.99 each. (This is the discounted school price from the Apple Store.) headphones $1,200. 30 sets at $40.00 supplies $4,200.00 headphones and keyboards Additional Funding - The band fund will pay to have Mary Ditson, who teaches a Garage Band class at South Eugene High, come to give a staff in-service on using Garage Band in the classroom. This way the entire staff will have the knowledge to use the keyboards with their classes.

Proposal #:  59