Board Approves High School Music Technology Curriculum

By Larissa Lytwyn

Newtown High School students not inclined toward singing or playing a musical instrument now have the opportunity to electronically produce musical compositions through the addition of Music Technology I, II, and II, a new elective course that could be available as soon as the 2005-06 school year.

The school board unanamoisuly approved the curriculum at its last meeting on January 4.

Currently, the district offers an introduction to music technology course at Reed Intermediate School as one of several elective choices.

At Newtown Middle School, students who do not play an instrument or sing in the chorus are required to take seventh or eighth grade music technology as an opportunity to be exposed to the value of music education without being forced to perform.

“The high school musical technology class would be very sophisticated, a natural progression of the courses offered in the middle school,” Assistant Superintendent of Schools Alice Jackson explained.

According to research conducted by the music department at Newtown Middle School, an “informal poll” of eighth graders currently enrolled in a music technology lab indicated a “high interest” in continuing their study of the subject in high school.

“This is truly an ideal opportunity for students not inclined, or interested, in musical performance,” added Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff.

Ms Jackson explained that Christopher Lee, currently a part-time strings instructor, would be increased to a full-time position to cover two sections, or classes, of high school music technology throughout the 2005-06 school year.

“We are very fortunate to have a teacher with such strong background in this area already available to us,” said Dr Pitkoff. “Music technology is a relatively new field, and to have someone with such a level of expertise already on board with us is very lucky!”

The music department faculty and Ms Jackson will finalize curriculum for Music Tech I for fall 2005 and Music Tech II for January 2006.

Mr Lee will engage in a professional development program on music technology during the upcoming summer break, and subsequent summers as needed.

Training may involve cost-incurring course work, workshops, school visits, Internet research and/or software previewing.

Other district costs involved may include the implementation of new computer programming, network upgrades, additional furniture, and music equipment.

“Having the music technology curriculum available at the high school level will be particularly helpful for students interested in pursuing this field as a career,” Ms Jackson noted.

The additional course will also reduce class size in band and chorus classes, she said.

While Newtown High School principal Patricia Llodra requested an increase of a 0.4 music teacher as part of the school’s proposed 2005-06 budget in foresight of the music technology curriculum, the course can still be implemented if the request does not survive budgetary cuts by shifting or reducing sections in other music electives.

In addition, during the January 4 meeting, the board heard a report on the recent reorganization of the technology department, the result of ever-increasing demands for service.

Currently, the technology department serves 1,700 computer workstations for the school district, approximately 200 for the town, plus approximately 50 servers and 12 routers.

The staff currently includes a director of technology, one technology support specialist I, three technology support specialists II, one software support specialist II, one technology department secretary, and one GIS coordinator.

In the months ahead, additional levels of III and IV will be added to future job descriptions for technology specialists to reduce over dependence on the director for support services.

The change does not require a budgetary addition of positions; the added descriptions of III and IV simply allow current technology employees to progress to higher levels of certification and expertise. The added levels also have the potential to draw a higher caliber of candidate to future positions in the technology department.

While Board Secretary Andrew Buzzi said approved of the added levels, he was interested in expanding the technology department to add staff specializing in web design and maintenance in the future.

“Websites are becoming increasingly important, and having the appropriate staff for this area would be great,” he said.

Two years ago, the position of a single web support technician was cut out of budgetary concern, explained Ms Jackson.

Since being eliminated, the position has not been formally presented to the board for reinstatement.