iPads coming to Lincoln Middle music classrooms
iPad computers will soon serve as composition instruments at Lincoln Middle School thanks to a two-year, $14,000.00 grant from the McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation.

Teacher Bethany Kirkpatrick received the Academic Enrichment Grant for her music education project, “See My Song, Hear My Voice,” in which the classroom becomes a music technology laboratory.

“This innovative project is particularly noteworthy,” commented Professor Sarah J. McCarthey, Foundation co-founder and President, “in that students learn not only by reading, hearing, and writing about music but also by composing and sharing their experiences.”

Students produce original compositions that reflect each unit of music study, from jazz to an original score. Students will ultimately perform their original compositions for family and the community.

“The Foundation has been such a gift to my students and to me personally that words can not express the extent of my gratitude,” said Kirkpatrick. “This grant is touching not only my students during the two years of its funding, but also will impact my teaching for many years to come.”

Kirkpatrick began this first year working with her smallest groups of students on simple compositions using iPad computers. In December, students created a CD of their original music. They are now in the process of composing their final projects including a second CD and an i-movie to accompany their songs.