SmartMusic is helping make musicians better and smarter

Years ago, a friend of mine, who was 40 years older than I, was telling me of New York City in the 1940’s and 50s. He had been there for the days of radio and the beginning of television. Each generation opens up a new approach and use for technology.

When I mentioned to him how I was a fan of the history of media and how I worshiped the “Today” show from its origins with Dave Garroway and J. Fred Muggs to at the time Matt and Katie. He asked me what time the Today show started? I responded the show started at 6:00 am. His reply was “I don’t think my television gets up that early?” Great line…

New technology usually finds such jest at all turns. The concept of using new technology for something as personal as teaching music would be difficult, I would imagine.

Below is an interview with Izzet Mergen, Music Director for the Northport-East Northport School District. Full disclosure here, I have been friends with Izzet for almost a decade. We are both interested in the use of technology in education and the arts. So here is a quick description of how the Northport-East Northport School District is using SmartMusic.

My name is Izzet Mergen and I have the pleasure to serve as the Director of Music Education for the Northport-East Northport School District. I currently work in the Northport-East Northport School District as the District-wide Director of Music Education.  The Northport-East Northport School District Music Department has been the recipient of several Grammy Signature School Awards, distinctions fromNYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) as a Blue Ribbon Music Program, and recognitions from MENC as one of the The 100 Best Communities for Music Education in America.  I am responsible for the music education of over 6,500 students from six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.  

Throughout the 2010-2011 school year, students in the 7th and 8th grade orchestra at Northport Middle School have been integrating technology into their preparation for the NYSSMA Solo Festival.  All students worked, at least in part, on a level IV NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Contest Solo and were able to utilize features of SmartMusic software to help them correct rhythms and pitches while allowing them the opportunity of playing with musical accompaniment for the first time.  As seen here, a 7th grade student is working on "The Elephant" from  Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint Saens.  We will be implementing this software in the 2011-12 school year, for every single instrumental student and every music teacher.  

Teachers can create assignments during small group lessons; students can practice at home with the aid of the computer.  The computer helps with rhythms, pitches, and fingerings.  Students can listen back to their performances.  If they are happy with the grade or assessment from SmartMusic, they can then email the assignment to their teacher.  The teacher can then track student progress and build portfolios of student work.

SmartMusic Student Subscription   $36.00 per year for students and performers to use at home.

SmartMusic Educator Subscription   $140.00 per year Includes the ability to create and send assignments to students.

SmartMusic is used by educators and students in all 50 states and we have advocates in 35 states. Click a map marker or select a state and advocate from the dropdown lists to read about an educator who is using SmartMusic in your area.

In response to this I wish to add that there are several other areas of interest dealing with the use of technology and education. Recently it was announced in the Chronicle of Higher Education that the use of iPads has possibly caused the rise of grades in certain subject areas. In an article from the Fresnobee on May 7, 2011 John Walker states the following:

Want to improve student academic performance? There's an app for that.

Hundreds of middle school students in the central San Joaquin Valley and across the state -- each with a school-issued iPad -- are using curriculum apps for their class work and homework.

Educators say students who use the touch-screen devices for class appear to be more engaged in their studies. Students can view their schoolwork anywhere and email their teachers anytime.

It seems to be making a difference -- test scores of iPad-using students are climbing.

In Fresno Unified School District, where 100 students at Kings Canyon and Sequoia middle schools are part of a four-district pilot program, the results are promising, spokeswoman Susan Bedi said.

The school's sixth-graders use the iPads for all core subjects -- math, science, English and social studies.

"The iPads have created excitement about learning algebra, which indicates that students are more engaged in the classroom," she said, "and that will equate to higher achievement."

So is it the technology that causes the changes or the fact that the age groups and the technology have finally met up at the proper time with the proper support? Time will tell but with educators more so embracing the combination of technology and education all signs point towards a promising future.