SoundTree has added an amazing new suite of software titles from a software company in Ireland called MusiCan. It is primarily intended for younger students, grades PreK - 5, and covers a wide variety of musical topics in a very graphically appealing environment. In addition to younger music students, MusiCan has wonderful applications for special needs students as well as ESL/ELL students. The software was brought to my attention by Elise Sobol, a noted expert on music and special learners.

Here is her review from the most recent edition of SoundWAVES:

Soundtree has added a unique, complete and integrated animated software teaching and learning system to its product catalog called MusiCan. MusiCan is the brainchild of award winning innovative creator/inventor John Hesnan of Galway, Ireland. Filled with the dream that “every child leaving school will be able to read, understand, enjoy and appreciate music just like any other subject”, Mr. Hesnan and his team, has crafted a suite of products that boost sequential learning from the primary to the higher grades.
For years, classrooms, therapists, and lifelong learners have been using this suite of products in the UK boosting testing and assessment scores through the support of MusiCan’s realistic lessons in structurally sound learning modules, teacher’s guides, resources, lesson plans, performance tracking, and database continuous assessments. At the primary level, from the introduction of sounds of the environment to teach a discriminating ear for sophisticated musical development to the advanced programs with musical production for cinema and recording studio, MusiCan has many features, including the following components:

1. It is fun to use, it is interactive, and most importantly, it is compatible with PCs, Macs and interactive white board technology.
2. The modules include songs, lyrics, backing tracks, printable texts and movement to music (great for active learners).
3. It is designed with real sound and acoustic instruments.
4. Students set the pace based on individual learning styles, challenges, and gifts.
5. Each module has cross curricular links.
6. There is constant reinforcement for success with encouragement for each effort.
7. Lessons have both direct and subliminal learning.
8. There is personal profiling capabilities long and short term.
9. It includes a Teacher’s area with lesson plans with a scheme of work laid out for every class, including printable activity sheets to reinforce musical concepts and cross-curricular themes.
10. Each module has additional resources for differentiating instruction for ESL/ELL learners.

Through a phone referral from the New York State Education Department to pilot this software learning system at my school, I immediately saw that MusiCan was a unique offering to support and enhance multi-sensory/multi-modal teaching which is the bases for success in teaching exceptional children with special learning challenges. MusiCan is used daily at the Nassau BOCES Department of Special Education, Rosemary Kennedy School where I teach children with autism and developmental disabilities age 8-21. The program purchased a site license so that classroom teachers, therapists as well as music and art teachers could support their curriculum objectives with this instructional technology.

As an active clinician at the county, state, national, and international levels, I have been pleased to informally introduce MusiCan to global school communities in such diverse places for example as Aruba and New Zealand. Now, formally, I am delighted to bring this suite of products to SoundTree with the hope that every school district and therapeutic setting will benefit from John Hesnan’s dream for enriched education through the medium and universal language of music. When I was appointed in 1993 as the New York State School Music Association Chairperson for Special Learners, it has been my goal to know what resources are out there to optimize the potential in every child and to communicate this to school and related service personnel.

For educational software, MusiCan has topped the list not only for its technological innovation and appeal, not only for its relevant conceptual teaching, not only for its music foundations of pitch, melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, form and style, not only for its aural, visual and linguistic links for speech and language development, but because it reaches the whole child no matter what his/her learning style or cultural background. This suite of products, MusiCan 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 is an inclusive, dynamic, engaging, comprehensive teaching and learning assist for reaching every student in the 21st century. Shouldn’t every child be able to read, understand, enjoy and appreciate music just like any other subject? MusiCan is now available exclusively through Soundtree. The price of the MusiCan 1-5 bundle is $159.95. There is special bulk pricing available that makes the software very affordable at the site license level. To download a demo of the software, visit www.musican.com. For pricing information and availability, contact SoundTree today at info@soundtree.com, or contact your local SoundTree Account Manager.

Rising Software has recently announced the release of the latest versions of both Auralia and Musition - now in version 4.0. The best news is that Musition 4.0 is finally available for Mac users! The combination of both of these titles is the perfect solution for a comprehensive ear training and music theory course for students in middle school, high school, and the university level. For long time users of both titles, the latest versions are marked improvements over previous versions, with the strongest addition being a new feature called Courses, including an AP Music Theory course that is the perfect compliment for those high school students gearing up for the AP Music Theory test. Here is a closer look at each title:

Auralia 4.0

First, I love the redesign of the interface. Rising Software has done a wonderful job of enhancing the aesthetics, and have cleaned up the menu page by adding the 41 specific topics under each of the five main categories. Teachers no longer have to wonder where exercises are. Next, Auralia’s solfege support is greatly improved, allowing teachers to select either fixed or movable do exercises and a great solfege window. Perhaps the greatest enhancement though is the new feature called Courses. Here, teachers can have their students select an appropriate course of study depending on the aspect of the music program they would like to enhance. For example, students can select a “Band” course of study. Once the course is selected, Auralia automatically chooses the relevant content and “grays out” those aspects of the software that might not be as relevant. There are quite a few courses to choose from, but I would imagine that none will be as popular as the AP Music Theory Course. The lessons are much easier to access, and the drill and practice activities truly reinforce the students learning. As a long time Auralia fan, this new version is an incredible update. I would strongly recommend upgrading your existing title, or purchasing a new one. Of course, SoundTree is a great place to get the software as they will support you through the upgrade process as well as help troubleshoot any networking issues. To purchase a single copy, click here. For upgrades and site licenses, contact your SoundTree representative today.

Musition 4

First, I am thrilled that this amazing title is finally available for Mac users. Musition is the perfect compliment to Auralia 4, covering all aspects of music theory in the same interface style as Auralia. The new version of Musition also has the same improved interface, with a really fresh feeling graphic environment. Like Auralia 4, Musition has five main categories containing 34 topics - with each topic now listed on the main page. Like Auralia 4, Musition also has a series of courses perfect for different aspects of a music program. It is appropriate for middle school, high school, and university students, and the customizability of both programs makes this pair of titles useful to any teacher who is trying to improve a certain aspect of their program. The AP Music Theory Course in Musition 4 is the perfect pairing with Auralia - and really should be included. I would strongly recommend any existing user, or any Mac user to purchase Musition 4 or upgrade your current version. Of course, SoundTree is a great place to get the software as they will support you through the upgrade process as well as help troubleshoot any networking issues. To purchase a single copy, click here. For upgrades and site licenses, contact your SoundTree representative today.

If you’d like to take either title for a test spin, you can download a demo version of each title with limited functionality. You can access the demo versions for Auralia and Musition on the Rising Software homepage. As always, I welcome your comments and questions!

You may remember that a few years back Sibelius distributed a software title for a short while here in the US called O-Generator Learning to Compose. For one reason or another it wasn’t around for very long, but I am very pleased to report that it is once again available here in the US along with a brand new exciting title called O-Generator World Music. If you’ve never heard of O-Generator you most certainly will. Made by a company from the UK called O-Music, it is an ingenious way to get students in elementary, middle, and high school composing music in a brand new way.

Check out the videos and demos on each of the software landing pages. I have had both titles for a few months now, and I have to say, it is a blast to make music with. The software employs an ingenious circular display that splits up a measure into sixteenth notes. Each sixteenth note is represented by a small circle (the strong beats have a larger circle). Within each circle students can enter a wide variety of high quality samples, including drums, bass, guitar, vocal, and keyboard loops. Once you have filled up your circle, you can move on to the next one until you have composed a complete song. Students will easily understand how the interface works, and will enjoy creating their own songs in a non-traditional way (no notation, no loop sequencing interface). Both software titles also include teaching materials, supplemental videos that help explain the various concepts in the software. The lessons are also tied to the UK music learning standards - so the programmers were really think about education when they created it. I would strongly recommend adding this title to your software offering. It works wonderfully with both a SmartBoard or digital whiteboard and in a lab setting.

At the upcoming TI:ME National Conference (held in conjunction with NJMEA), Marcel Pusey from O-Music will be making presentations on both titles. If you are coming to this fantastic event, be sure to stop by his sessions. SoundTree will have copies of both titles available for sale in our booth.

SoundTree is very proud to offer both of these titles on our web store (Mac/PC). O-Generator Learning to Compose is priced at $129, and O-Generator World Music (a very unique approach to teaching world music) is priced at $149. As always, lab pricing is available from SoundTree. Contact your local SoundTree Account Manager today to order or shop online!

Well by now you have no doubt heard of the game-changing device from Apple called the iPad. As a huge fan of Apple products, I am always swept up in the frenzy over a major new product release, and the iPad is certainly something I would like to have in my ever growing collection of gadgets. While walking my dog in the woods this morning I thought about how the iPad could fit into music education, and education in general. Here are my first impressions: while certainly very cool, it’s not quite ready for widespread adoption in K-12 education. However, the day when devices such as the iPad will become the norm in classrooms is not that far off.

The iPad has some wonderful features: multi-touch 10″ screen, iBookstore, enhanced app experience, 10 hour battery life, and optional built-in wifi. It also has some serious shortcomings: no USB port, no Flash support, no third-party application support (you can’t run Sibelius, Finale, or even GarageBand), and the usual closed Apple platform (it’s either Apple’s way or you hack). The iPad is basically an iPod Touch on steroids, but it is not quite the device that I was hoping for in terms of education.

With these issues in mind, I personally do not believe that this first version of the iPad will have widespread adoption in K-12 classrooms. Without the ability to use software titles such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (although the iWork titles will be available for the iPad in redesigned versions) you are stuck with the apps available on the iTunes Apps Store. While there are over 140,000 to choose from you are forced to use only Apple products or Apple approved apps. Now, those apps and products are terrific and I love my iPhone, iPod Touch and MacBook Pro but I don’t think the entire education world is ready to throw all of their eggs into the Apple basket. From a business standpoint, the folks at Apple are absolutely brilliant; but from an education standpoint, this is only a first step toward the digital classroom of the future. I simply wanted a bigger step.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some incredible music apps on the store, and no doubt you have your favorites. I can’t wait to see things like Bebot, Thereminator, iDrum, and the incredible apps that are coming down the pike on the iPad. The bigger screen size will make the iPad an amazing personal music making device. Music teachers who are currently using iPod Touches in their classrooms will certainly make the most of the new iPad. But can you imagine if the iPad was able to load non-app software titles such as Sibelius and Finale and had a USB port to attach a USB keyboard controller? I would never leave the house! I know that there is Bluetooth capability and the device will prompt some manufacturers to start making Bluetooth keyboard controllers, but I want to start making music now! With no Flash support, some of the best online music applications (Noteflight, MusicTheory.net, NYPhilKids.org) are off limits (at the moment) with the iPad (though fixes to correct that are currently in the works). Apple’s refusal to support Flash is maddening - can’t wait until the folks at Adobe fix this.

The iBookstore will no doubt start stocking educational textbooks, and this will certainly be a welcome advance for students to start reading digital textbooks. But again, if it is not on the iBookstore - tough. Why? Money I guess, or maybe I am a little bitter because I just got a Kindle; but until Apple opens up their devices (which will likely never happen) to third party, non-Apple-approved publishers, they are limiting the capabilities of the devices. Digital sheet music distribution is also severely limited on the iPad - something I was truly hoping would be supported. While it is possible to email students PDF files of their music, or possibly even “bump” the file from the teacher iPad to the students’ iPad, it is too clumsy right now to start putting iPads on music stands. Maybe one day.

In short, I would love the device for my own personal use, and while my wife will kill me if I buy one, I will be one of those who presses his face up to the Apple Store window glass longing for one. However, my first impressions of the iPad as a device for widespread use in music education have come up short. Sure, there will be teachers who will do incredible things with iPads in their classrooms, but these instances will be more of the exception than the rule. Apple has, most certainly though, opened up the door to a possible revolution in education where devices like the iPad will be the norm in classrooms. I am excited to see future versions. Tomorrow I will post my vision of how iPads could be used in music education in the future. With some minor adjustments, they could just be the biggest game changer that music education, and education in general, has ever seen.

I know that this will be a hot button issue with music educators, and I am very interested in your impressions of the iPad. What do you think? I’d love to hear from you.

One of the great new products to be released by Korg recently is the new Wavedrum Dynamic Percussion Synthesizer, the follow-up to the amazing original Wavedrum from Korg released in 1994. This new edition is incredibly affordable, portable, and full of terrific synthesized percussion sounds from Korg. Here are some specifics on the features:

- 100 Preset sounds, with 100 more slots for user programmable sounds - including many world percussion instruments
- 100 Loop phrases
- PCM + DSP Synthesis for a truly “live” feel
- On board Reverb & Delay
- No MIDI connection
- Performance set-ups for quick program changes
- Rim has a complete set of programs - the entire instrument makes music
- No batteries - only DV 9V plug (included)
- Output: L, R ¼” unbalanced
- Phones: Stereo mini phone jack
- AUX IN: Stereo mini phone jack

The best part of the new Wavedrum is the price: only $599.00. It is the perfect accessory to an existing drum kit or a stand-alone performance instrument. Some wondered why there was no MIDI capability built in to the unit, but in my opinion it would negate the incredible playability of the PCM sounds which wouldn’t translate well as a controller. As an example, when you rub your fingers over the head, you hear it - how do you convert that to MIDI? I have had a Wavedrum in my basement for the past 3 weeks, and I simply cannot stop playing it. It wants you to play it. I would strongly recommend checking out the video posted above, and adding a Wavedrum to your band instrumentation - especially in the pit for a marching band - or even setting up a Wavedrum lab! Be sure to call your SoundTree representative to see how you can get your Wavedrum today!

I welcome your questions and comments.

Avid has announced the launch of the much anticipated student version of Sibelius 6 this week. This software is he perfect solution for those music educators who would like to use Sibelius with their students in a music technology or computer lab, but don’t have the budget to get it on every computer. Perfect for use with elementary and middle school students, the student version of Sibelius has always had some powerful features that give students a lot of room for creativity. With the release last summer of Sibelius 6, many educators have been waiting for Sibelius to upgrade the student version to take advantage of the incredible new features in Sibelius 6, most notably the Magnetic Layout feature. Here is what you get with the student version:

• Up to 12 staves
• Input notes via mouse, MIDI or computer keyboard
• Play back, transpose and print scores
• Exchange files with full Sibelius
• Export MIDI files
• Panorama view for flowing creativity
• Write for Video
• Easily add lyrics, titles, other text and graphics
• 250+ musical ideas covering all genres
• Open MusicXML and MIDI files
• Share and sell scores worldwide on SibeliusMusic.com
• Email your score instantly from inside the software

With all of those features, you can certainly get by though you miss out on some of the other great features of Sibelius 6, including the Classroom Control feature, which I believe is one of the best new features of Sibelius 6. Another disadvantage of the student version is that you cannot get a discounted upgrade from the student version to the full version, so if you are planning on eventually getting the full version for each of your students, you might be better off saving up to get a site license, which can offer a very affordable option. Sibelius Student is really intended for students (as the title implies), so it is a great gift to an aspiring composer who’d like to use Sibelius at home.

The suggested retail price on Sibelius 6 Student Version is $99.00. If you want to upgrade from a previous version of Sibelius Student, your price is only $39.00. If you are interested in getting a quote for competitive educational pricing on these products, just contact your local SoundTree representative. If you’d like to take Sibelius 6 Student Version for a test drive, simply download the demo - something that Sibelius has not offered in the past.

I first heard of a program called MYNA at the CMS/ATMI Technology Preconference this past October in Portland, OR. Ray Riley showed MYNA as a part of his presentation on Cloud Computing. I was completely floored by what I saw, and I thought that you might be interested in seeing this incredible application.

If you visit www.aviary.com, you’ll find quite a few free productivity applications for graphics - including an image editor, color editor, and more. But at the bottom of the list, on the left hand side, you’ll see a little button called “Audio Editor“. Click on it, and meet MYNA - a robust sequencing program, complete with royalty-free loops and a powerful audio editor. If you’ve been using Audacity for the past few years, MYNA is the perfect next step.

Here are some of the features of MYNA:

- Import audio for editing. Supported formats include .wav, .aiff, .mp3, .wma, .m4a, and .ogg
- Record audio into MYNA using an audio interface or a built-in microphone. This process is a little cumbersome, as you cannot record while the rest of the tracks are playing back. Best to use a metronome when recording in your audio.
- Import and utilize copyright- and royalty-free loops from the QuantumTracks library
- Track automation, and full pan/mute/solo features
- Mixdown to a variety of file formats
- Share your creations with other MYNA users, including social networking features

While MYNA is not quite GarageBand, it is quite close. You cannot record MIDI instruments (yet) and the live recording work-around is cumbersome. But if you are looking for an amazing cross-platform music creation tool for your students, MYNA is perfect. It serves as a great entry point to music composition, and is a great stepping stone into more well-known sequencing software titles like Cakewalk, Ableton LIVE, Mixcraft, ProTools, Logic, Reason, and more. I strongly recommend checking out MYNA and using it with your students. I would recommend middle school and up for student use.

Have you already used MYNA? How about with your students? I’d love to hear what you’re doing.

SoundTree is proud to announce the publication of Alfred’s SoundTree Keyboard Lab Curriculum – Elementary School Level.

This exclusive, in-depth, keyboard-based curriculum includes powerful resources for teaching in the group piano instructional environment. It includes a variety of materials that make it easy to incorporate technology in the music classroom. This curriculum will serve as an integral resource for any music educator who teaches music with pianos or keyboards.

Keyboard Component: The core keyboard component of the curriculum is Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Group Piano Course. The sequential materials from this course included in the SoundTree Keyboard Lab Curriculum include:

* Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Group Piano Course, Books 1-4
* Teacher’s Handbook for Books 1 & 2
* Teacher’s Handbook for Books 3 & 4
* 2-CD sets for Levels 1-4
* 2-GM sets for Levels 1-4
* Reproducible Worksheet Book

The Reproducible Worksheet Book contains Theory and Ear Training worksheets to correlate with each unit of Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Group Piano Course, Books 1-4

General Music Component: In addition to the keyboard materials listed above, The Elementary Curriculum Book includes 60 lesson plans written specifically for the Korg Group Education Controller (GEC) from SoundTree. These lesson plans serve as a guide for incorporating a GEC keyboard lab into the general music classroom setting. Written by experienced teachers who teach in a keyboard lab environment, these classroom-tested lessons include lessons in the following areas:

* Music Fundamentals (Rhythm, Notation, Music Reading)
* Composition
* Ear Training (Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation)
* Improvisation
* Listening Skills
* Notation
* Performance

The lessons are not presented in a specific order, but are intended to give the teacher maximum flexibility to include them in the curriculum based on the needs of students in the individual classes. The musical experiences in each lesson address the National Standards for Music Education. Each individual lesson is organized in the following manner:

* Keyboard Skills Required
* MENC National Standards
* Objectives
* Materials
* Procedure (This step-by-step procedure includes specifics on how to use the GEC)
* Extensions
* Reproducible student handouts (Included with most lessons)

In addition to the print materials included in this book, there will be a companion website that will include the MIDI and audio files mentioned in some of the lesson plans which can be downloaded for use in the lesson. The companion site will be located at the following URL: www.soundtree.com/elemcurric.

Learning musical skills through technology generates tremendous enthusiasm among students. The technology allows students the opportunity to perform, improvise and create music according to their individual tastes. They now move from the realm of music lover to music maker, opening a new world of imagination to students who might never have been involved in the creation of music. The sincere intent of the developers of this curriculum is to make the music learning experience interactive and rewarding for both the students and the instructor. Enjoy!

Click HERE for an overview of the Elementary Curriculum, including National Standards, musical skills, and keyboard proficiency levels.

Click HERE for a sample lesson from the Elementary Curriculum.

The Teachers Edition of the Complete Elementary Curriculum is $299.95 and each Student Edition is $39.95. In addition to the Elementary Level Curriculum, Alfred and Soundtree will publish a Middle School and High School Level Curriculum in early 2010. For more information about this and any product, please contact your local SoundTree Account Manager, or call 1 (800) 963-8733 today.

The video above shows a student with special needs composing and performing music with a device called the SoundBeam. If you are anything like me, the video is an extremely powerful example of how the human spirit has an inate desire to create music - no matter what obstacles are placed in the path of that goal.

For the past few years, I have been telling as many people as I can about this incredible musical instrument called the SoundBeam. I blogged about it a few years ago, but I wanted to bring it to your attention once again.

When I became the Managing Director of SoundTree nearly two years ago, one of my first priorities was to make SoundTree the retailer of SoundBeam here in the United States. The device was created in the United Kingdom over 10 years ago and has widespread adoption across schools in the UK - both those who specialize in teaching students with special needs and mainstream schools. I have a very strong personal commitment to making the meaningful creation and performing of music accessible to students of all abilities - especially those with severe disabilities. That is why SoundTree is now a partner with SoundBeam to bring this wonderful device to the US.

So just what is the SoundBeam and how does it work? SoundBeam is a device that converts physical movement into sound. Using ultrasonic sensors, the SoundBeam system detects the speed, gate and distance of even the smallest movements you make with anything from a fingertip to your entire body. These ultrasonic signals are converted by the SoundBeam controller into MIDI information that can then be processed by a sound module, keyboard, or sampler. The controller itself does not make any sound, but it does allow the user to choose from one hundred different pitch sequences, each containing up to sixty-four notes. The chosen pitch sequences are then sent via MIDI cables to a synthesizer and ultimately an amplifier so that the movement can be heard. This might sound a bit confusing, so I’ll simplify: (1) Plug up to 4 ultrasonic sensors into the SoundBeam. (2) Plug up to 8 momentary switches into the SoundBeam. (3) Plug the SoundBeam into a MIDI-compatible synthesizer. (4) Plug the synthesizer into a speaker. (5) Select the pitch sequence. (6) Move. Instant kinesthetic music.

The SoundBeam system was originally conceived to be used with modern dance performances in England. It was soon realized by music educators that the system had the possibility for some powerful applications in the music classroom, specifically with special needs students. Because the SoundBeam does not require the mover to have musical training (it only requires the ability to move – even an eyebrow) the opportunity for students with special needs to create their own music is very real. Because of the MIDI capabilities of the SoundBeam controller, it can even be hooked up to a notation program so that the students’ movements can be converted directly into musical notation. Pretty amazing.

This week, SoundTree is at the American Music Therapy Association’s Annual Conference in San Diego showing the SoundBeam, along with some other Korg products that can be used with students with special needs to create music. If you are attending the conference, please stop by our booth (#508) and check out the device for yourself. If you aren’t attending the conference this year but would like more information about the SoundBeam, including the possibility of a demonstration or free online course, contact Brad Smith - SoundBeam Product Manager for SoundTree. For more information about pricing, visit the SoundBeam page on our online store.

I welcome your comments and questions.

If you use either Finale or Sibelius on a laptop? Do you miss your numeric keypad? If you are anything like me, you’ve probably already bought yourself a QWERTY keyboard to use the Speedy Entry and Keypad Entry features of the software. Not having a numeric keypad on a laptop is really not an option for notation software users. If you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, meet NumberKEY from Balmuda Design. One of my amazing students at Teachers College (Justine Dolorfino) told me about the app, and I instantly bought it on the App Store for $1.99 (there is also a free version available though I am not sure what features are missing).

It is a very simple app and does exactly what is supposed to do. It works on both Mac and PCs with Finale and Sibelius. The app connects to your computer via wireless internet and set up is a breeze. All you need to do after purchasing the app from the store is go to the Balmuda Design website and download a free application for your laptop. You then install it, connect to your iPod Touch or iPhone and you’re all set. So, rather than spending up to $40 on a USB numeric keypad (many don’t work with Finale and Sibelius the way they are supposed to), try the free app or pay the $1.99 like I did, and your laptop is no longer impaired when using notation software.

Do you have NumberKEY? What do you think? Do you have any other apps like this that work also? I’d love to hear from you.