Unlocking the Harmony: Exploring the Intersection of Music and Technology at the SVVSD Innovation Center

In a captivating convergence of creativity and innovation, about 50 middle and high school students spent a week immersed in the world where music and technology collide at the St. Vrain Valley's Innovation Center. Led by a team of passionate instructors, these young minds delved into the boundless possibilities that emerge when the realms of sound and digital innovation intertwine.

Empowering the Next Generation of Musical Innovators

Embracing Design Thinking to Redefine Musical Experiences

Instructor Kyle Liss, the orchestra director at Frederick High School and a professional musician, guided the students through a design thinking approach, challenging them to explore how music can be used to "add or change value." Liss expressed his delight in witnessing the students' transformative journey, marveling at the incredible progress they made from their initial steps to the final, polished presentations.

Discovering the Multifaceted Possibilities of Music

The Innovation Center's Music Innovation camp, now in its second year, was designed to appeal to both seasoned musicians and students interested in exploring the diverse aspects of the musical landscape. Taught by a director, four music teachers, and nine Innovation Center students, the camp offered a rich tapestry of learning opportunities, culminating in a final showcase where students presented their projects to their families.

Empowering Students to Unleash their Musical Passions

Student designer Katherine Zajicek, a recent graduate, emphasized the importance of helping students understand the boundless possibilities that lie beyond the traditional boundaries of music. "Music is not just performance. It's not just band or choir," she said. "Students have all these opportunities here. There's so much more than just what's offered in school. They can find where their passion is in music. I tell them to just find the fun."

Immersive Exploration and Collaborative Creativity

The first three days of the camp were dedicated to exploration, formal lessons, and group project work. Students had the opportunity to witness captivating performances by a pipe band and their own instructors, further igniting their passion for the art of music. On Thursday, the students focused on finalizing their projects, seeking feedback, and rehearsing their presentations.

Harnessing Technology to Elevate the Musical Experience

The camp offered diverse pathways for students to explore, including vocalist, creative innovator, audio alchemy, and producer. In the producer path, for example, students delved into the art of songwriting and learned to utilize GarageBand and other technologies to create and mix original compositions. The audio alchemy path, on the other hand, introduced students to the techniques required for recording music in a studio and the role of sound engineering in live performances.

Discovering the Intersection of Music and Technology

Owen Arthur, an incoming freshman in the APEX Homeschool Program, expressed his newfound appreciation for the deep integration of technology within the realm of music. "I've realized there's a lot more technology involved in music than I thought," he said. "It's fun to use all this technology."

Fostering Collaborative Performances and Interdisciplinary Exploration

Peyton Weichel, an incoming freshman at Mead High School, returned to the camp for a second year, bringing his bass and double bass guitars. He was part of a group that combined live performance with technology, featuring a diverse ensemble of musicians, including two bass guitarists, two trombone players, a vocalist, and a technology specialist.

Embracing the Challenges and Rewards of Technological Integration

Incoming seventh-grader Francesca Chavez, the vocalist in the group, acknowledged the challenges of learning to navigate the technological aspects of the camp, but found the experience deeply rewarding. "It makes the music sound better," she said.

Unlocking the Potential of Music Production Software

Frederick High School incoming freshman Lyla Alderman, who plays in the school orchestra and is responsible for the technology in her group's performance, expressed her enthusiasm for learning to navigate GarageBand and utilize a MIDI keyboard controller to its full potential. "You can basically do anything in GarageBand," Alderman said. "It's really fun to learn how to make music with it."

Exploring the Live Performance Aspects of Music

Leaf Barnes, an incoming freshman at Lyons High School, shared his journey of discovering a newfound passion for the guitar after attending the camp the previous summer. This year, he delved deeper into the live performance side of music, learning about the use of mixers and speakers.

Integrating Music and Drone Technology for Innovative Performances

Incoming junior Emily Whiteley and incoming senior Tyler Detro, who attend Erie High School, are part of the Innovation Center's new drone performance team. They utilized the camp as an opportunity to learn how to create original music to accompany their drone shows, with Detro emphasizing the importance of making their performances more unique and original.