In a vibrant classroom filled with the sounds of creativity, students from Galt Joint Union Elementary School showcased their musical talents during a recent Board of Education meeting. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as three seventh and eighth graders presented their innovative projects, demonstrating the power of technology in music education.
Gianna Robinson, a seventh grader, took the stage first, sharing her experience in composing a melody. She explained how she transformed a simple motif into a 16-measure piece by employing techniques like value change and addition. "Value change means keeping the same pitches as the motif and changing the rhythm," she noted, highlighting her thoughtful approach to music creation. Gianna also selected a drum loop from Soundtrap, which she felt complemented her melody perfectly.
Next up was Simbassy, another seventh grader, who described his project as a blend of loops and original compositions. He emphasized the freedom he had in choosing the structure of his work, utilizing a mix of prerecorded music and his own creations. "I wrote the bass and drums for this project," he explained, showcasing his understanding of musical layering and transitions.
Finally, Sofia Buzzo, an eighth grader, presented her project structured in an A-B-A-B-C-B format, a common structure in pop music. She detailed how she enhanced the chorus with increased drum volume and added vocal layers to create a fuller sound. "I made adjustments to multiple tracks to build down the sound before the bridge," she said, demonstrating her keen awareness of musical dynamics.
The students' presentations not only highlighted their individual talents but also reflected the engaging curriculum that encourages creativity and collaboration. The audience, including proud parents, applauded their efforts, celebrating the intersection of technology and music education. As the meeting transitioned to communication topics, the enthusiasm for the students' achievements lingered in the air, a testament to the bright future of music education in Galt.