Students in Mr. Lee’s Music Technology 3 class recently explored wild possibilities in audio editing and processing! Students were given a microphone and a blank sheet of copy paper (8.5 x 11). The assignment was to create something using ONLY sounds recorded from the paper (e.g., ripping, crumpling, flicking, etc.). This was an exercise in creating original music out of the everyday sounds of a mundane object (copy paper): to elevate the ordinary into something more extraordinary — that is, musical art!

This was a 2-day activity, so short drafts of musical fragments were expected. But even in a couple of periods, students demonstrated significant skill and imagination in manipulating audio production software to shape sound in amazing ways.

Some examples of audio manipulations include:
* Cutting sound samples into smaller pieces; arranging those pieces in musical rhythm
* Filtering sound samples through audio effects, such as reverb
* Time-stretching sound samples
* Moving sound samples higher or lower in musical pitch
* Generating tonal sounds (i.e., sounds with sustained duration and pitch, as would be heard from a horn or piano) and mapping those tonal sounds onto the keys of the piano; then, performing harmonies and melodies (all from the sheer sound of copy paper!)

Check out some samples below!

Students in Mr. Lee's music classes have been producing creative music and compelling audio throughout the fall months. Here's a sampling of student work!

In Music Technology 1, students created original music and sound for video game clips. In the process, they studied a technique of interactive music known as "vertical layering." Here are some samples:

Brian Garten - Original music and sound for Rayman Legends

Ava Feeley - Original music and sound for Danganronpa (excerpt)

In Music Technology 2, students warmed up their film-scoring skills by creating original music to accompany a still image. 

In the following example, Myles Ku evokes his selected image with compelling music that demonstrates the timeless value of standard compositional devices [such as rhythmic and sustained pedal points (or drones)].

In another assignment, students ​​created original music for a standard Hollywood movie trailer. 

Here's Marty Godbout's score for the Volcano (1997) trailer:

​AP Music Theory students created four-measure chorale phrases using newly acquired skills of harmony and voice leading. Bringing their work to life, members of the class brought in their instruments for an informal reading session. Here are a couple of samples: [Listening hint: Both phrases are in a simple triple meter, so try to hear them in "3 beats per measure."]

This 11-minute video collage showcases student work from the Newtown High School music theory and music technology classes. It will be shown on Monday, April 2, 2018, at a dedication event celebrating the newly refurbished Newtown High School Auditorium.

Students in Mr. Lee's Music Technology classes ended 2017 with compelling, creative work. Check out some samples!

INVENTING "ALIEN SPEECH"
How do the fictional aliens in a science-fiction film communicate?
​Our students gave this Star Wars character a number of possible dialects.

Sophomore Jamie Davis mapped a single teacup "clink" to the piano keyboard of a sampler instrument, and then made this musical passage:

Senior Jimmy Doutney recorded various physical objects and manipulated the audio to create this musical passage:

Junior Evan Song recorded the sounds of an old cassette player to bring this Mars Rover to life:

MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS
Here are some original compositions that demonstrate the incredible expressive breadth of our students:

Students in Mr. Lee’s Music Technology classes have engaged in creative work throughout the early months of the school year. Here’s a sampling…

Music Technology 1 students created original music for video game, choosing from a wide variety of platform-genre games. Techniques of repetition and variation were employed to weave each musical score.

In Music Technology 2, students explored the compelling challenge of writing music to a visual image. In the first two pieces below, still images were the inspiration; in the third piece, a film trailer was scored. In each case, the student’s manipulation of the elements of music enhanced and developed the emotional and/or narrative impact of the visual.

On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, new works from 30 Newtown High School composers were given public premiere before an appreciative audience. The annual Newtown High School Composers' Concert features original student compositions produced in various music classes taught by NHS teacher Chris Lee. Check out a sampling of the music that was featured...

Tranquil Lake with Sky (film-scoring "warmup" project) - Ian Humber

Chorale in Bb major - Maggie Alexander

Futuristic Factory (film-scoring "warmup" project) - John McCann

Melody Arrangement in A Phrygian - M.J. Glover

Water with Mist (film-scoring "warmup" project) - Clare McKinley