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High-tech lab helps bring on the music

By Sandy Mouat
CORRESPONDENT

Enter the new music facility at Stanley Intermediate School, and step into a center of innovative learning and music creation, inspired by visionary teacher Bob Athayde.
            One component of Athayde’s self-contained music school within a school, is the computer music lab. The computers and musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) equipment were provided through a grant from the Lafayette Arts & Science Foundation. 
            The digital music lab is a place for students of all three grades to use computers, keyboards, speakers, and earphones to compose and share student developed compositions, learn and reinforce music theory, and increase listening skills.  The software addresses all levels of ability, and the lab is filled with students during class, lunchtime and before and after school.
            Combined with musical achievement through traditional training, hard work and daily practice, Athayde’s students are assisted by the user friendly tools in the software programs to concentrate on the creative aspect of writing music, encouraged to spread their wings and write music that is meaningful to them.
            Athayde believes that this lab, which will be called the Julia Burke Computer Music Lab, is changing lives as it provides opportunities for students to participate in music making that cannot be done with traditional instruments and that this extra step in musicianship gives students an edge in mastering their instruments and/or vocal skills.
            "I'll be interested to see the development of this new breed of musicians who can both use traditional instruments and the modern technology associated with computers," said Athayde.
            Installation and operations management of the computer music lab
were overseen by computer programmer Dave Briccetti, whose invaluable technical expertise continues to keep the project running smoothly.   Briccetti, a French horn player, also volunteers as a music teacher’s aide, working with the students to sharpen their music skills.
            As the building itself springs to life with the sound of the enthusiastic band rehearsing under Athayde’s spirited direction, Briccetti brings three students at a time into the lab.  The students work on music theory with Music Ace, and on composition with Encore Music Notation Program, as well as with Practica Musica, MacGamut, Listen, an ear training program, and Band-in-a-Box, a program for jazz improvisation.  Students working with Briccetti have the advantage of both his technical know-how and his traditional music making background.
            The equipment and software give the students the freedom to create, learn, and share at their own pace.  In the program Music Ace, work on the computers is self guided as students are led through 24 levels of music lessons .  Individual student progress is tracked by a computer program custom designed by Briccetti.  Athayde can see at a glance where his students are in their computer music lab progress, document student achievement and detect problem areas, giving focused individual attention as needed to increase student understanding of the material. 
            Said Briccetti, "It's exciting watching this music lab evolve.  Bob Athayde has some great ideas for teaching such things as jazz improvisation, and he's just the man to do it. He sits down and without a hitch lays these complex musical patterns into the computer through the MIDI keyboard. It's great fun to see."
           "Stanley's computer music lab is a huge success. The kids love composing and learning about music, and sharing their compositions with their friends."

02/01 Reprinted with permission. Visit the Contra Costa Times on the web at www.contracostatimes.com.

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