Biblical Studies Major
Music Technology
- Music Technology at Bethel College
- Is designed to provide
- Equipment
- Software
- Notation
- Sequencing
- Theory
- Education
- Piano
Music Technology at Bethel College
The practice of music has changed dramatically in the past years. Electronic and computer music have emerged from specialized studios and today pervade music for education, television, films, recordings, and live performances. Music students must develop competencies in the use of computer music technology in order to thrive in the various musical professions and avocations. More music is being produced for the recorded medium, and live performance has been affected by technology through expanded use of synthesizers and MIDI instrument controllers, interactive computer performance processing and by the inclusion of sequenced and prerecorded musical elements into concert music performance settings.
In order to prepare our students for music in the 21st Century, the Music Department at Bethel College continues to develop and expand its Music Computer Laboratory. We are developing a number of new interactive computer/MIDI stations in our current Laboratory . Each station consists of a Macintosh computer, MIDI keyboard (for interactive music drill and composition), sound modules, recording equipment, sampler, and software (music theory, history, composition, and education). The workstations will be networked to a Macintosh LaserWriter and HP scanner. The department's primary goal in expanding this Music Computer Laboratory is to provide students with the technology to thrive in an ever-changing musical culture.
The Music Computer Laboratory at Bethel College is designed to provide students with:
- A conceptual overview of music and technology;
- A broad perspective of the many ways people can use technology in music (e.g., in teaching, composition, arranging, recording, and performing);
- Opportunities for using commercial CAI music software (e.g., aural skills, music theory, sequencing, notation, music history, and composition/improvisation);
- Experience in setting up a personal MIDI/computer music station;
- Proficiency using notation software (i.e., entry systems, rules and control of notation, layout and format, playback options through MIDI, and printing);
- Experience using recording equipment (recorders, mixers, microphones, effects processors, and amplifiers);
- A conceptual overview and practical experiences with analog and digital recording technology and equipment;
- Creative experiences with sequencing software;
- Requisite knowledge for designing a MIDI/electronic recording workstation;
- Knowledge of software that help create, edit, and store sounds within MIDI devices and various types of recorders (analog and digital);
- Experience using software and hardware for word-processing and desktop publishing including software, scanners, printers, and digital video;
- An understanding of hardware available for digital sound boards, direct-to-disk recording, and digital tape and disc recorders; and
- Experience with communications software and Internet client software such as Netscape Navigator e-mail, news groups, WWW, and others.
A Typical Computer Music Workstation includes the following equipment:
- Power Macintosh Computer
- MIDI Keyboard
- Sound Module
- Sampler
- Analog and Digital Recording Equipment
- CD Recorder
- Speakers and Headphones
- LaserWriter
- Scanner
- Internet Connection
SOFTWARE USED IN THE MUSIC COMPUTER LABORATORY
Music Notation Software
- Finale (professional level notation capabilities designed for desktop music publishing)
Music Sequencing Software
- Musicshop (an entry-level sequencing program)
- Master Tracks Pro (a good mid-level sequencing program with SMPTE for video or multimedia presentations)
- Band-in-a-Box (music composition/accompaniment programs for all levels-elementary students through professionals)
- Studio Vision Pro (professional , fully integrated MIDI sequencing and digital audio recording software in one package)
Music Theory/History Software
- Practica Musica (one of the best music tutors: rhythmic dictation, melodic dictation, chord recognition, music reading and composing activities)
- Listen (interval and chord recognition program)
- MiBach (note reading, interval, and scale recognition program)
- Composer Quest (music history CD software)
- Bach and Before (music history CD software)
- Beethoven and Beyond
- Microsoft Musical Instruments
- History of the Blues (Queue, Inc.)
- The Orchestra (Warner New Media)
- The Pianist (PG Music, Inc.) (Piano styles, periods of music history, dictionary, biographies, etc.)
- Voyager Co. CD ROM (interactive music history, style, and analysis)
- Quintet in A Major (Schubert)
- Rite of Spring (Stravinsky)
- So I've Heard (Vol. Bach and Before; Vol. II. The Classical Ideal)
- String Quartet in C major (Mozart) \
- Symphony #9 (Beethoven)
- German Requiem (Brahms)
- The Magic Flute (Mozart)
- String Quartet #14 (Beethoven)
Music Education
- Making Music (a composition program for children that helps them by using building blocks)
- Allies Playhouse (an elementary-level program for children's exploration of musical elements)
- Professor Piccolo (an interactive elementary music education program)
- Composer Quest (music history CD software)
- Bach and Before (music history CD software)
- Beethoven and Beyond
- Microsoft Musical Instruments
Digital Piano Laboratory
Bethel's Piano Laboratory is equipped with Roland digital pianos, each with a full 88 key compass and a weighted key action that is very close to an acoustic piano action. These stations are designed for the needs of our classes in keyboard harmony, piano proficiency, and class piano.
