Extra Curricular: Music Technology Week

As the potential impact of technology on the music curriculum became more evident in the early 1990's I conceived the idea of having a week where music technology was explored and celebrated. This week was developed under my direction in conjunction with a group of music educators and included a 'Grande Finale' concert, a 'Student Composition Talent Search' as well as a series of workshops and professional development opportunities for students and educators around Melbourne. The 'Music Education and Technology Association' was formed in response to activities in the first year and became a national group with a steady membership. The actual music technology week became an annual event for three years and was attended by many staff and students from schools in urban and rural Victoria.
Some of the issues we were discussing and exploring then were:

• The use of multi-track recording in education.
• The use of computers and music for student and staff development including the development of MIDI and its implications.
• Music composition at the school level and the use of technology as a tool for this.
• Facilities and resources: computer platforms (Atari being the most affordable at the time), software, other equipment.

Program cover for the first 'Grande Finale Music Technology Concert'.
Performers on this night included the Jeff Pressing and Graeme Leak Duo; Wild Dog Ensemble with vocalist Judy Jacques; Tom Fryer and student composition finalists.
The Student Composition Talent Search attracted entries from a number of different schools. The categories for composition were: pop/rock song; thematic song; instrumental; creating a backing tape for improvisation; sound collage.

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