OXFORD – Technology and music have gone hand-in-hand since the advent of the first musical instrument, but instituting an educational component to the mix while engaging high school student with sustainable and practical real-world skills isn't as easy as “Do-Re-Mi.”
Enter “Music Technology,” a course that is still relatively new in most public high schools that is proving to be a viable asset to juniors and seniors at Oxford Academy. With the academic year on the wane, students enrolled into the new venture course – developed by music instructor and teacher Corey Riley– are busy making final touches to their final project – the creation, production and distribution of an all-original music CD conceived entirely by students.
“From a teaching perspective, it was less about the product that they were making and more about the real world experience that the students are able to take away from this course and apply,” said Riley. “The students are not only creating something that they can be proud of and hold in their hands, but also gain collaborative teamwork experience, resume writing skills, and of course a taste of deadline pressure.”
The class is set to release the album of original compositions at the Oxford’s annual art show to be held at local music venue 6 on the Square, located at 6 Lafayette Park in downtown Oxford.
The CD release will be presented in conjunction with the visual arts accomplishments from the 2013-2014 school year, and is scheduled from 4 – 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 12. Community members and fans alike can purchase a copy of the CD or pick up a pre-ordered copy.
Student, musicians and contributors of the group project will be on hand to answer questions and sign autographs.
Senior Brandon Markowski, who acted as lead marketing director for the capstone project, is both excited and optimistic about presenting the finished product to the masses this coming Thursday. “We're still in the process of making them one by one. We’ve pre-sold five at this point,” said Markowski. “I'm confident we will sell more at the art show.”
With plans of attending Morrisville State for business administration in the fall and transferring to SUNY Oswego for a master’s program, Markowski was all business when it came to networking with peers to maintain the successful progression of the project.
“The art team designed the CD booklet, tack listing and liner notes that go with the CD ... I think they've had the hardest time with deadlines because they have a lot to contribute,” said Markowski. “But it's coming together nicely.”
When asked if this was the type of field that he would pursue post graduation next year, junior and production team leader Douglas Hitt replied, “Oh, absolutely. The production side more than, say, the marketing side.”
“This is something that I've always had a real interest and fascination with,” said Hitt who went on to explain, “it was quite something to actually see what goes into creating and the creative process of making a CD.”
