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METOS 2010
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October 11, 2010
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On Facebook and Twitter? So is SoundTree!
  Become a fan of SoundTree on Facebook and follow us on Twitter today to get daily website suggestions, tech tips, and more!
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Ableton LIVE is one of my personal favorite software titles. It is an amazing tool for music creation, and provides users with both a unique interface, and a unique way to compose music. As the name implies, you can use Ableton LIVE as a performance tool. Many DJs and electronic musicians use Ableton LIVE along with interface devices such as the Novation Launchpad or Akai APC 40 to trigger loops and more. If you have never heard of Ableton LIVE, I STRONGLY recommend checking out the fully functional demo, available HERE. I guarantee you’ve never used anything quite like it before.
I am thrilled to announce a wonderful opportunity for middle school and high school students that is happening this summer. Ableton announced yesterday the Ableton Summer Music Challenge. This contest allows students in two categories – Under 15s and 15-18 year olds – to submit tracks that they have composed to be judged. I am very proud to be one of those judges, and I look forward to listening to all of the tracks from the incredibly creative students that submit them. The submission process is pretty easy – in fact they have labeled it A B C.
A – Create a Track. Your students can either download a free trial of the software, or they can create their track in any other DAW. If the students don’t use Ableton LIVE, they can also download some free loops and samples to include in their pieces (if they want to). I have to say that is one of the amazing things about the company. They don’t care how you create it, they are just interested in kids being creative.
B – Submit a Track. Using SoundCloud, students can submit their tracks to the appropriate category (Under 15s and 15 – 18 year olds). The submission process is very simple. Once the student has submitted their work, they are asked for their contact information.
C – Win Great Prizes. The 25 tracks with the most plays will be presented as finalists to the jury, who will choose 1 winner in each age group. Each winner gets the grand prize:
For your school:
1x Ableton Live Intro Site License (multi-installation license)
15x Novation Launchpad
15x Novation Nio 2/4 Audio Interface
25x SoundCloud Lite Account (1 year)
1x Loopmaster Origins Collection
For you:
1x Ableton Suite
1x Novation Launchpad
1x Novation Nio 2/4 Audio Interface
1x Soundcloud Premium Account (1 year)
1x Loopmaster Gift Certificate (250 EUR value)
There will also be 24 runners up in each age group. As a runner up, you will win:
For your school:
1x Ableton Live Intro Site License (multi-installation license)
For you:
1x Ableton Live Intro
Great prizes indeed! So teachers, if you still have students in class, announce this contest!!! If your students are out for the summer already, try to get in touch with them. What better way to spend their summer vacation? They get to use some amazing software for free. They get to be creative and write some music. They get to promote their tracks to their friends via social networks (giving them a taste of promotion and marketing). And perhaps best of all, if they win as a runner up or grand prize winner you and the students get some amazing prizes!
SoundTree is a proud reseller of Ableton LIVE. Visit the SoundTree Online Store today to pick up your copy.
To all of those people who received an email from my Hotmail account earlier today, I am fine. My account has been hacked. Thank you to everyone who reached out to alert me and checked to see if I am OK.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Jim
Last night I had the pleasure of hosting a webinar (courtesy of SoundTree) that gathered many of the music educators in my PLN (personal/professional learning network) from around the world. Dr. Joe Pisano, creator of MusTech.net and MANY other fantastic online resources for music educators, presented an in-depth presentation on the various Web 2.0 tools available to music educators who are looking to grow their PLNs. Online with Joe were nearly 30 music educators who were tweeting the whole time using #mpln2010. The experience was amazing – and you need be a part of it.
So, why Twitter? What is the purpose of a PLN? Are blogs still relevant? Is online professional development possible? My answer to each of these questions is clear.
Why Twitter? – In 140 characters or less, students and teachers from around the world are posting thoughts and links that can help you navigate all of the incredible, relevant content on the web. While not meant to be a PD tool, teachers have figured out a way to make it one. While not intended to be a learning tool, students have figured out a way to make it one. For music teachers, there are some amazing resources on Twitter – but how to find them? First, there are “tweet chats” that occur on a regular basis on a wide variety of topics. My favorites include #edchat and #musedchat. Musedchat happens at 8pm EDT every Monday, and edchat happens on Tuesdays at 12noon EDT and 7pm EDT. How do you participate? Download a free twitter application such as HootSuite or Tweetdeck. Add a column for the tweet chat you are interested in. Join the conversation at any time by adding #musedchat after your tweet and you’re in! That’s it. Chatting live is the best way to become engaged in the conversation, and the group is wide open to anyone who wants to join. Joe Pisano and Andy Zweibel are the founders of musedchat, and usually post transcripts of the chats the following day. Edchat is a HUGE chat, often with thousands of teachers (literally) all chatting at once. While it can be overwhelming, it is very exciting, and the information presented is always thought provoking. Seriously, get a Twitter account today and check it out for yourself.
What is the purpose of a PLN? As Joe described last night, PLNs are nothing new, but Web 2.0 technologies provide opportunities to expand your network to a global level. In the past your PLN included parents, spouses, mentors, and administrators. If you wanted to learn something or bounce an idea off someone, you spoke to the folks in your PLN. While those interactions are still crucial, you now have the ability to have thousands of people in your PLN – all willing to help. By joining Twitter and participating in chats, by reading blogs, listening to podcasts, joining relevant Facebook groups, and utilizing things like Google Reader and Google Buzz, you can customize the content of the web into an easy-to-use resource. I urge you to check things like Google Reader and Buzz out. If you have any questions, post them to Twitter using the hashtag (#) #musedchat.
Are blogs still relevant? They have never been more relevant in my opinion. The easiest way to check out all of the terrific content being generated by music educators across the world, visit www.musicednews.com. It is an aggregator (a site that brings many different blogs and podcasts into one easy-to-navigate central location) of many of the music education focused blogs on the web. Sure there is a ton of content, but my suggestion is to read a couple of posts a week from each until you find the blogger that fits your style and needs. If you aren’t blogging yet, try it out. Or better yet, get your students blogging about music. The blog I created for my 8th grade students was a great way to connect with my students online in a relevant, educationally valuable way.
Is online professional development possible? The answer to this question is most definitely YES. It has been for a while. Online courses are a decade old. With newer technologies like webinars though, the experience is much more personal. Instead of asynchronous threaded discussion boards, you now have the ability to attend a live webinar where you can see and hear the presenter and follow along with their presentations online. SoundTree offers FREE webinars on a weekly basis. The webinar that Joe presented last night was another example of this terrific PD tool. SoundTree will be making an exciting announcement about an upcoming online professional development opportunity that will be happening this Fall. Stay tuned for more information.
Never has it been more important for music educators to network with each other – on advocacy issues, teaching resources, philosophy, and support. Web 2.0 technology has made this networking possible. I urge you to join the Web 2.0 world and connect with other music educators today. See you online!
I welcome your comments and questions.
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| Newsletter on Technology in Education |
June 2010
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 Welcome to SoundWAVES, SoundTree's monthly email newsletter on technology in education.
Specializing
in turn-key learning systems for education integrating electronic music
instruments, audio components, video production tools, computers and
software; SoundTree provides advice, planning, complete installation
services, staff training and after-purchase support.
 
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Entry-Level Music Composition Lesson for Instrumental Music Students Using NoteFlight
by Thomas J. West
Students will create an account on www.noteflight.com,
set up a single-staff score for their primary instrument, and use the
pentatonic scale in their choice of key to compose an 8-24 measure
melody. Students will then perform their melody for evaluation by the
teacher and/or the class.
Visit www.soundtree.com/lesson-plans/CompositionUsingNoteflight to view the complete lesson plan.
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Turn Any Computer Lab into a Music Lab
by Barbara Freedman
 For the last hundred years or so, K-12 music education in the United
States has focused on reaching students with performance-based applied
learning in band, orchestra and chorus classes, and in classroom
general music. Applied learning in non-performance "general music"
classes has been accomplished in the use recorders, ocarinas,
harmonicas, Celtic harps, and guitars. When I taught in New York City,
I used kazoos! Performance-based ensembles reach fewer than 20 percent
of a school's population and traditional general
music classes, frankly, just don't cut it anymore. Students today, from
elementary through high school, have access to sophisticated music
equipment at home on their computers, video consoles, and even in their
pockets on their mobile phones. To reach and engage more students, we
need to embrace technology.
To read the rest of the article, visit www.soundtree.com/articles/ComputerMusicLab.
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New Feature: Ian's Tech Tips
 by Ian Fisher, SoundTree Technical Support Specialist
i...@soundtree.com
1 (800) 963-8733 x6688
Hello! My name is Ian Fisher, and as my title implies, my job at SoundTree is to help teachers solve any problems that they might have with any of the technology purchased from SoundTree. From software to hardware, I'm here to help. I have been working here at SoundTree for the past year after spending nearly a decade as a Korg Product Specialist. It is my distinct pleasure to serve the education community.
Every month I will be writing a new column for SoundWAVES called Tech Tips. The purpose of this column is to focus on common issues that arise when integrating technology into your music curriculum. For this first column, I will focus on the many tools and resources that are already available to you as a SoundTree customer.
SoundTree YouTube Channel - We recently created a YouTube video channel where we have posted a variety of tutorials on some of the software and hardware solutions we sell. I urge you to check them out and share them with your students. We will be posting many more in the near future.
Online Technical Support - Did you know that SoundTree has a fantastic tool that will allow me to take a look at your computer to diagnose and often fix any issues that you are having with your computer? All you need is an Internet connection. Just click on the Live Support link at the top of our homepage to get started.
Phone Support - If you prefer to speak with me directly, I am available Monday through Fridays from 9:30am - 5:30pm EST. My direct line is 1 (800) 963-8733 x6688.
SoundTree Facebook Page - Each day, I post a Tech Tip of the Day on our SoundTree Facebook Page. If you are on Facebook and not already a fan, please become one today to take advantage of this daily service.
FREE SoundTree Webinars - Every week during the school year, experts from our staff as well as manufacturers host a free 60 minute webinar one a wide variety of topics. Check out our June offerings and register today!
Well that should do it for now. With so many great tools available to you at no charge, you can understand why SoundTree is such a unique company. I urge you to use the tools and resources to help keep your classroom technology humming. Until next time!
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SoundTree Happenings
www.soundtree.com/our-company/calendar
June 12th: International VSA Festival - Grand Hyatt Washington, DC. Dr. Kimberly McCord from Illinois State University will be presenting
Universal Design for
Learning in the General Music Classroom at this year's international VSA festival. This session will include strategies for teaching students who are deaf or blind using assistive
technology tools, such as the SoundBeam.
June 26th: MENC Music Education Week, New Teachers Academy - Washington, DC. SoundTree is the proud sponsor of the New Teachers Academy at this
year's MENC Music Education Week. The New Teachers Academy offers an
opportunity for teachers new to the profession to network and discuss
topics relevant to them as teachers who are just beginning their music
education classroom teaching experience.
June 27th - 30th: ISTE Annual Conference - Colorado Convention Center, Denver. Come visit SoundTree in the exhibit hall of the 2010 ISTE Conference.
July 7th - 9th: -Teaching Music for Special Learners: Using the SoundBeam
Assistive Technology Offered by West Chester University of
Pennsylvania. This three-day course explores the creative, therapeutic and educational
applications of SoundBeam, a hands-free MIDI performance device that
can detect even the smallest physical movements, and other new music
technologies when working with special learners. Participants will work
in small groups, learning the fundamentals of programming the SoundBeam
device and developing lesson plans that integrate it into the music
classroom.
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This email was sent to j...@soundtree.com by i...@soundtree.com. |
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SoundTree | 316 South Service Rd. | Melville | NY | 11747
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Make Music announced this week the latest release from their line of notation products, Finale 2011. As most people know, Finale releases an update every year, constantly enhancing their product. This year is no different. Here is a sneak peek at some of the new features:
Music Education Worksheets – Finale 2011 now comes with 800 worksheets for music educators to use with their students – an increase of 500! This will surely be one of the most popular enhancements from a teachers perspective.
Easier Staff Layout – Finale 2011 makes it easier than ever before to fine tune the way your music looks. Here is a great video demonstrating the feature.
More Garritan Sounds – Finale 2011 now comes with 375 sounds from the amazing Garritan sound library. Playback of your music is truly enhanced when using this sound library.
Improved Lyric Entry – entering lyrics is much easier in Finale 2011. This will certainly be popular with choral music educators.
Other enhancements include some new fonts, instant capo chords, improved percussion playback, and a new Aria player – making it easier to tweak your MIDI channel assignments.
So, should you upgrade? It is my firm belief that you should always be running the latest version of the software you use most. If you are a Finale user, I would certainly recommend the upgrade ($119.95). If you are running a version of Finale older than 2010, then it is definitely time to upgrade. Combined with the new features that were released with Finale 2010, upgrading from 2009, 2008, or earlier is definitely worth the investment.
Finale 2011 is not available yet, but will be on the SoundTree Online Store as soon as it is!
Every once in a while a great product comes along that I get very excited about. The new Alesis MutlMix 4 USB is one of those products. It could just be the most versatile and affordable digital audio interfaces available on the market today. With up to four audio inputs for use in any DAW software title and a price tag of $79, I’m sure you can understand why. Here is the product description:
The MultiMix 4 USB is a four-channel desktop mixer with a USB digital audio interface built in. This compact mixer is perfect for using in basic computer-recording setups, video editing and production studios, and portable podcasting setups because it outputs not only line-level analog audio, but also stereo 16-bit, 44.1 kHz digital audio over USB for low-noise, easy computer connection. You can also monitor back from your computer through the same USB connection.
The MultiMix 4 USB mixer has four input channels, all of which can accept a 1/4″ line input. You can can plug XLR microphones into channels one and two, including condensers thanks to the mixer’s switchable 48V-phantom power supply. You can also plug a guitar or bass directly into channel one’s switchable high-impedance input.
FEATURES
Four-channel mixer with USB stereo input and output
Low-noise digital 16-bit, 44.1 kHz signal on USB for easy computer interface
Four 1/4″ line-level inputs plus RCA tape in/out
Two XLR mic inputs with gains, high-pass filters, and switchable 48V phantom power
High-impedance guitar input
Dual-band EQ on mic inputs
Multicolor LED metering
Main and headphone outputs with independent level controls
If you are looking for an affordable and versatile audio interface for your classroom or home needs, this is a great buy. Great for podcasting or recording your ensemble with some good microphones, it is one of the most exciting hardware products I’ve seen in some time.
Here is a short video from the NAMM show this past January that features a brief overview of the MultiMix 4 USB. Hope you enjoy it!
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Welcome to SoundWAVES, SoundTree's monthly email newsletter on technology in education.
TI:ME, the Technology Institute for Music Educators, is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to assist music educators in applying technology to
jfrankel