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The 21st Century Artist: Bringing Technology & Trends to the Classroom
Aug 26, 2014 2:09 PM
By Will Camp - FF/S
Summer always brings change, at least for me. Whether it is a home project, a part-time job or a family adventure, as a teacher the summer is never wasted. Thanks to our fine arts team winning a portion of the 2014 Carla and Leonard Wood Professional Development Endowment Award, a great deal of our summer has been devoted to transforming the instrumental music room into a multipurpose recording/performing space and seeking out prominent artists/educators to visit our classrooms.
The aim of our 21st Century Artist proposal was to provide faculty with the resources to bring current technology and educational trends directly to the classroom. In a nutshell, we sought to build an infrastructure, empower the students and introduce guest artists/engineers so that we may refine the experience as it pertains to real world applications.
Our team divided into two groups. I roped Chris Holloway from the ELA-8 division into helping with daunting task of bringing Darlington out of the 1980s in regard to technology and infrastructure. Choral Director Rebecca Duren, who wisely enlisted the help of Fine Arts Director Kim Tunnell, is heading the push to bring innovative guest artists and educators to campus.
Technology
No longer can performance, composition, audio and video recording, and post-production be viewed as separate arts. The reality of the requirements on the 21st Century Artist is that they must have all these skills. Is this program designed to reach only those that intend to major in the arts in college? No. Instead, the aim of this program is to meet all students at their interest level and to foster their learning beyond what they thought was possible. By providing unique curriculum offerings, individualized learning experiences and the necessary technology base, the program will allow for limitless cross-curricular programming.
If we continue to follow the antiquated model of static acoustical performances, whether it is instrumental, vocal or musical theater, Darlington fine arts will continue its descent into artistic irrelevance. It’s time to bring Darlington up to the cutting edge.
In practice, there is no longer separation between the technological artist and the musical artist. The reality is that artists and computer geeks are rapidly becoming the same happy nerd. So, where does music and performance fit? Music is the binding factor that will hold together today’s digital artist with yesterday’s acoustical master. We need to develop our capability so that we can supply the necessary exposure and training in today’s digital world.
Trends
It has been my honor to work with Rebecca Duren, who has been focused on bringing visiting performers and educators to campus. By doing this, our program will encourage simultaneous faculty and student education and growth through performance and interpersonal interactions with working experts on the forefront of innovation.
So far, visiting artists who have committed to visiting our program include:
• Chris Orbach (son of the late Jerry Orbach), a long-established voiceover artist who has agreed to visit in early January.
• The Alvaro Bermudez Trio, a jazz trio from Miami, Fla., will be on campus Oct. 3-4.
As instructed by my summer helper Daniel Morris ('16), a.k.a. "Donald Trump," I’ve included some before and after pictures. More accurately, I’ve included some during and not-quite-done pictures. The majority of the work wiring the instrumental music room for business is all hidden. What you will see in the pictures are the first few pieces of equipment that were unpacked and Daniel's record player. As we worked, I’d humor him and listen to a non-stop barrage of Elton John and the Eagles, but once he tired and left, I’d jam out to the Boss or Dexter Gordon. I can honestly say that, ironically, the best work this summer was accomplished while listening to music on vinyl! Thanks, Daniel.
The aim of our 21st Century Artist proposal was to provide faculty with the resources to bring current technology and educational trends directly to the classroom. In a nutshell, we sought to build an infrastructure, empower the students and introduce guest artists/engineers so that we may refine the experience as it pertains to real world applications.
Our team divided into two groups. I roped Chris Holloway from the ELA-8 division into helping with daunting task of bringing Darlington out of the 1980s in regard to technology and infrastructure. Choral Director Rebecca Duren, who wisely enlisted the help of Fine Arts Director Kim Tunnell, is heading the push to bring innovative guest artists and educators to campus.
Technology
No longer can performance, composition, audio and video recording, and post-production be viewed as separate arts. The reality of the requirements on the 21st Century Artist is that they must have all these skills. Is this program designed to reach only those that intend to major in the arts in college? No. Instead, the aim of this program is to meet all students at their interest level and to foster their learning beyond what they thought was possible. By providing unique curriculum offerings, individualized learning experiences and the necessary technology base, the program will allow for limitless cross-curricular programming.
If we continue to follow the antiquated model of static acoustical performances, whether it is instrumental, vocal or musical theater, Darlington fine arts will continue its descent into artistic irrelevance. It’s time to bring Darlington up to the cutting edge.
In practice, there is no longer separation between the technological artist and the musical artist. The reality is that artists and computer geeks are rapidly becoming the same happy nerd. So, where does music and performance fit? Music is the binding factor that will hold together today’s digital artist with yesterday’s acoustical master. We need to develop our capability so that we can supply the necessary exposure and training in today’s digital world.
Trends
It has been my honor to work with Rebecca Duren, who has been focused on bringing visiting performers and educators to campus. By doing this, our program will encourage simultaneous faculty and student education and growth through performance and interpersonal interactions with working experts on the forefront of innovation.
So far, visiting artists who have committed to visiting our program include:
• Chris Orbach (son of the late Jerry Orbach), a long-established voiceover artist who has agreed to visit in early January.
• The Alvaro Bermudez Trio, a jazz trio from Miami, Fla., will be on campus Oct. 3-4.
As instructed by my summer helper Daniel Morris ('16), a.k.a. "Donald Trump," I’ve included some before and after pictures. More accurately, I’ve included some during and not-quite-done pictures. The majority of the work wiring the instrumental music room for business is all hidden. What you will see in the pictures are the first few pieces of equipment that were unpacked and Daniel's record player. As we worked, I’d humor him and listen to a non-stop barrage of Elton John and the Eagles, but once he tired and left, I’d jam out to the Boss or Dexter Gordon. I can honestly say that, ironically, the best work this summer was accomplished while listening to music on vinyl! Thanks, Daniel.
