Making Music Remotely

As the music director of online and in-home learning programs, it is clear to me that, over the last year, there has been a tidal shift to online, remote learning.

Obvious, right?

But it’s here to stay.

In music, we’ve seen students thrive in online learning environments — even while studying an instrument in a private lesson.

Perhaps it’s because working off a screen can be more interactive, focused, and contained. A student easily flustered can, in a more solitary environment, focus more candidly on the details sound, rhythm, reading and coordination.

As someone who has both developed and continuously improves an online music-making course, I’ve found the opportunity to pool together students from all over the world extraordinary.

What better way to break down barriers than with music?

Our composition and production teachers instruct from their respective studios, as students video call for group sessions, and one-to-one reviews. Courses are recorded and made available for secondary review, students collaborate and music-make through programs built for collaboration — programs that exist solely online: with native cameras, syncing tools, and the like.

We’ve seen magic happen!