The ability to manipulate sound recordings used to only be available in specialist studios, but now that everyone has a computer, it can be done... well... by anyone !
To make use of this fact, I have created an 8 - 10 week course for Primary School students.

Aimed at ages 7 - 12 ( 3rd Class - 6th Class ),
this course simply provides students with
the skills to create music with a computer.

The course follows the primary school music curriculum, but allows for greater flexibility and creativity, as the Computer ( rather than a recorder or tin-whistle ) is the students instrument.

I teach using free software, that is identical to software used by professionals, ensuring the costs are minimal and the students can download the programs and have fun at home too !

Through the teaching of basic computer skills and the use of free software, students can play musical games, add sound effects to videos ( foley ) and create their own weird and wonderful Compositions, all while learning to use industry grade audio software and developing a keener understanding of musical concepts like: timbre, pitch, pulse, form, dynamics, duration, texture etcetera etcetera.

The skills taught in this course are fun ! but can also give students a first glimpse into a career as a composer or audio engineer or Foley artist or any number of IT jobs.

The following is an example of work by some my past students, this student's composition takes the form of an audio collage, created using found sound and class recordings
Computer Music for Primary Schools - Student Composition (example) by dylanrynhart


Here is a video of another schools project I was involved in in 2005-2006:

History Revision part 1	History Revision part 2