Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) free workshop
Steve presenting in Union
I had the opportunity to attend Steve Garton’s music education workshop in Union not to long ago with 21 music teachers from around the state. Steve has a lot to offer arts educators, as many of you learned in his presentation Rock ‘n Roll Assessment at the October 2011 statewide arts education conference Arts Teachers Lead the Way… Back to the Future: Arts Assessment For Learning. Maine is fortunate to have Steve working at the Maine Department of Education as the Coordinator of Educational Technology. His roles and responsibilities MLTI are numerous so I am thrilled that he is offering a free workshop for music teachers who are interested in integrating more technology in their teaching practice. The workshop has occurred in 4 locations in Maine and one more is scheduled at this time. The information is below. The workshop is designed primarily for middle and high school music teachers, but all are welcome.
Date/Location:
March 21st – Penobscot Valley High School
Agenda:
8:00 – 9:00: Keynote – Steve Garton: The Art of Technology in Music
9:00 – 11:30: Hands-on workshop: Pushing the Limits of Garage Band
11:30 – 11:45: Jim Wells – A Remote Musical Tribute Using Garage Band (A very cool global interactive musical project)
11:45 – 12:45: Lunch (on your own)
12:45 – 1:15: A Different Look at Musical Assessment Using Technology
1:15 – 2:00: Music Notation on the Computer (A comparison and appropriate use of MuseScore, Garageband, Sibelius, and Finale for different scoring needs.)
2:00 – 2:45: Music Educator Round Table: Teaching with Technology (discussion and sharing of current practices, ideas, challenges, needs for PD, etc.)
2:45 – 3:00: Wrap-up and Evaluation
Please bring your MLTI device, head phones. Participants will receive a certificate for 6 contact hours.
Each session is limited to 25 participants.
A link to online registration can be found at http://www.maine.gov/mlti/events
Mike Burd, Technology Instructor/Integrator RSU 9, played for a demo with Steve at Mt. Ararat
Bio: Steve Garton is the Coordinator of Educational Technology for the Maine Department of Education. He provides oversight and logistical support for Maine’s education technology programs with a primary focus on the Maine Learning Technology Initiative providing 1-to-1 computing for the students in Maine.
Music teachers Beverly Pacheco and Angela Johnson, RSU13
He received his bachelor’s degrees in Piano Performance from Eastern Illinois University and Math from Slippery Rock University. His Masters is in Educational Technology from Youngstown State University.
Steve was able to navigate the dual life of a serious musician paying his way through school as a keyboard player in local bands. He was fortunate to be involved in the evolution of music technology as the keyboard players were always pushing the envelope of integration and acceptance. From the humble 16 channels of MIDI that were difficult to synch up, Steve’s studio now runs 512 MIDI channels controlling ten physical keyboards and countless virtual instruments as well as 96 channels of digital audio.
Steve believes that all musicians need to have an understanding of where the technology is today. He also believes that music is in the heart, the soul, and the practice studio. Technology does not make music, it allows us more options and easier ways to create, capture, and share what we do. It would be difficult today to have a career in music that did not involve technology in some way.
Steve has been involved in music in about as wide a range as you can get. From playing the Brahms first piano concerto with an orchestra to having no address for two years as he traveled the country playing top forty tunes five hours a night, six nights a week. He sold pianos and organs in Florida and can play “Somewhere My Love” and juggle at the same time. He was an assistant band director for five years and even assumed the head role for a playoff season that went to the state championship. He even received a few technical fouls with the pep band. He was musical director for 13 plays at Sharon High School and did a lot of arranging for the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra. He likes to sit around the house and play the acoustic guitar while watching amazing musical videos on YouTube.
Come spend a day and share with a like-minded group of people as we talk about the state and proper use of technology in music today.
me arts ed 