Resource: Music COMP
Whenever I am asked what I think the best example of music technology integration into music education is, without hesitation I always say Music COMP (formerly the Vermont MIDI Project). The COMP part stands for Composition Online Mentoring Program. The organization was started back in 1995 by Sandi MacLeod and Anne Hamilton as a way to teach students in grades 3-12 in Vermont how to compose original music. The original program had teachers sending MIDI files of student work to a composer who would then provide feedback via email. In the nearly 30 years since then, the program has flourished and I am a HUGE fan. Students no longer have to reside in Vermont to participate in the program. If you have a young composer in your school, you should DEFINITELY consider signing them up for mentoring.
Sandi MacLeod & I back at her retirement party in 2017
My absolute favorite part of Music COMP is their commitment to live performances. Each year they produce what they call an Opus Concert. These concerts are truly special. They are day-long events where professional musicians from around the state of Vermont converge on a performance venue and meet with up to 20 young composers whose work they will be performing that evening. Each of the students, often joined by their music teacher, has about 15-20 minutes of rehearsal time with the musicians to work on the world premiere of their work. I LOVE watching this process.
Seeing an 8 year old tell a professional oboe player that they need to play a certain passage more legato, and then watching the oboe player say “Yes Maestro” and pencil in their suggestions is a once in a lifetime experience. Even better is when the concert happens, the students get all dressed up and take a bow after the performance. This is an amazing experience that very few composers actually get to experience - having your work premiered at a real concert by professional musicians. I have attended MANY Opus Concerts myself, and MusicFirst is a proud program sponsor. Their most recent Opus Concert (their 37th) happened last week in Burlington, VT and sadly I was unable to attend. Over 20 young composers had their compositions performed
Recently, I had the distinct honor of being named to their Board of Directors along with some other wonderful music educators. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to join this organization. Music COMP is a non-profit organization that relies exclusively on public funding. They are one of the very few organizations that I donate to on an annual basis and I urge you all to consider doing the same.