band Thinking Outside the Box With
Technology in Music Bri Knox, WMEA State Chair, Band Robert Knox, Guest Writer
Greetings, fellow band teachers! This quarter, I have de- cided to invite my husband Robert, who teaches 7–12 band and choir with me in Florence, to talk about how he uses technology in
his classroom. He has done a lot of cre- ative things with music technology, but one unique activity has become quite a hit here, and I hope that hearing his story will inspire you to consider creating a similar opportunity for your students as he has for his!
Technology in the classroom is not a new trend. Many of our colleagues have found many creative ways to incorporate technol- ogy into their instruction. My goal here is to encourage thinking outside of the box, looking beyond the tools you know already, beyond band entirely. It may just be the boost your program could use!
In 2018, I attended the CESA 5 Midwest EdTech Summit in the Dells. One session about a school in Illinois that had estab- lished a YouTube channel for their school and began creating content that showcased the school, students, staff and activities as a means to advocate in the community caught my attention. What a great way to build connections with community members using technology and social media. This was something our school could benefit from. But how could I connect it to teach- ing music? On the drive home, listening to Reply All on Spotify, it clicked: a student- run podcast. Having a simple audio-only production like a podcast could give my students the opportunity to test the waters of basic audio engineering and production, something they have never experienced before.
In spring of 2018, our band was awarded a $1,000 grant with a local organization to purchase the necessary equipment: two Blue (now Logitech G) microphones, an Alesis MultiMix4, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
“…looking beyond the tools you know already, beyond band entirely. It may just be the boost your program could use!”
interface, cabling and Auralex Studiofoam Wedges for acoustic treatment. Nine band students volunteered to join the RecTech Club. They converted our largest practice room into a “recording studio,” installing acoustic treatment, setting up audio equip- ment and learning how it worked. By May 2019, these nine students had finished and produced their first piece of content: a commercial for our local radio group, sharing all of the wonderful things about our district.
Dedicated to advancing the intersection of technology and music, we are committed to fostering innovation in music creation, community arts, and recognizing the profound impact of music in your tech-infused life. Tailored for both novice and experienced enthusiasts, explore our cutting-edge resources at
HeidMusic.com. Unlock possibilities to inspire and elevate your role in shaping the next generation of musicians!
APPLETON | GREEN BAY | MADISON | OSHKOSH | STEVENS POINT 34 April 2024
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