Music Computer Resources
The inventory of music software/CD-ROMs that is available to me in Springfield Public School District 186 (Springfield, Illinois), is minimal. I have been given permission by the Program Support Liaison for Fine Arts in the District to purchase new software/CD-ROMs for use in the music classrooms. The list that follows includes all of the software/CD-ROMs that I am recommending for purchase. Since I teach music to students in grades 1-4, most of the programs will be targeted for that audience. Part of my Curriculum Project for this class is to enhance my students learning using technology, while making a singing-reading connection. The power of music can be used to enhance reading, listening, writing, affective and thinking skills.
*"SongWorks for Macintosh"- SongWorks is useful to help produce lead sheets, and to anyone who wants to have fun experimenting with melody and harmony. It will help generate melody and/or harmony idea as will as print them out. SongWorks will help transform melodic ideas. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Mac Plus or better. < http://www.arsnoca.com
*"Sing An American Story"- Great American music is portrayed through a variety of illustrated adventures. Fifteen animated American folk songs depict the pioneering spirit. Children can sing along and explore music, language, and historical background of each song. Familiar tunes such as Shenandoah, Erie Canal, Home on the Range, and more are included. (The company that produces this product does not have a web site.) However, orders may be sent to: http://mccormicksnet.com
*"Children's Songbook"- Fifteen traditional musical favorites from around the world are included on this program. Each recording is accompanied by an animated illustration, lyrics, notation, and background information. Features include: vocalists from ten countries sing music recorded expressly for the CD-ROM, in their native languages; an instrumental version of each song so children can sing along; games teach children to recognize music and lyrics; historical and cultural information about each song; lyrics in English and in the song's original language. (This software is produces by Voyager and it was recently sold. It can be viewed through a distributor. ) http://mccormicksnet.com
*"Julliard Music Adventure"- In this CD-ROM, kids are transported to a castle where they are introduced to rhythm, melody, orchestration, and instrumentation in a variety of musical styles. Kids solve musical puzzles in an adventure-style game, create their own compositions using the program's rhythm and melody tools, and play back their musical compositions in an animated environment. (Theatrix is the producer of this CD-ROM and does not have a home page. ) Orders can be sent to http://www.lentine.com
*"Making Music"- Making Music CD-ROM is "musical finger painting", where kids create their own music. Making Music presents the components of music visually and aurally, so kids can listen and watch at the same time. It is intended to let children experience composing music. The students can enter notes by painting on the screen, alter pitch and rhythm, transpose or change simple tunes to learn about structure, combine melody, rhythm and instrumentation. (Morton Subotnicks created this CD-ROM and does not have a web site available.) It can be ordered through: http://mccormicksnet.com
*"Peter and the Wolf"- The tale of Peter and the Wolf is brought to life through narration of Jack Lemmon and the music of the Prague Festival Orchestra. Through animation, this program tells the familiar story of a young boy who overcomes his fear of the forest and outsmarts a hungry wolf. (A distributor of this program let me know that the company that produces this software does not have a web site.) It can be ordered through http://mccormicksnet.com
*"Rock, Rap 'n Roll"- Rock, Rap 'n Roll is a music making machine that uses pre-composed original music combined with a unique interactive interface. This program allows the user to produce professional quality music. Children can choose from ten studios: Africa, Big Band, Reggae, Rock Sampler, Street Jazz, Blues, Latin Rap, Soulful Sampler, and Techno Pop. Each studio contains dozens of instruments and sounds that can be used to create vocal and instrumental combinations. Children can distort and manipulate sounds and record their own vocals or sound effects to add to the mix. Rock, Rap 'n Roll will record and play back a piece in digital studio sound. Children can record compositions of up to 30 hours for a single piece. (This software is produced by Voyager, which was recently sold.) For ordering contact: http://www.lentine.com
•Several Web sites that could be beneficial throughout this course are listed below.
Houghton Mifflin's Home Page http://www.eduplace.com/ This is the Web page for the reading series that our elementary classroom teachers use.
An Educator's Guide to Searching Sites http://www.capecod.net.schrockguide/yp/iypsrch.htm
All-in-one Search Page http://www.albany.net.allinone
Classroom Connect http://www.classroom.net/default.html
The Well-Connected Educator http://www.gsh.org.wce Articles by teachers on technology and classroom use.
Council for Learning Disabilities http://www1.winthrop.edu.cld/
Music HotList http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/hotlists/music.html An educational hotlist for music education.
Music Education OnLine http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2405/ A site for K-12 music teachers.
Music Education Launch Site http://www.talentz.com Lesson plans and teacher information.
American Music Center http://www.amc-music.com
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Submitted: June 11, 1998; updated June 16, 1998