By Megan McLaughlin
Tucked away at the end of C-Hall in C-131 is a not very well-known class that meets first and fourth hours at Pioneer: Music Theory & Technology. This class is now entering its 27th semester, or 13th year, at Pioneer, after being established by Nancy Waring, associate director of bands and Music Theory & Technology teacher, in 2003. Music Theory & Technology, sometimes referred to as the “Beat Writing Class,” focuses on composing music in different types of styles and instrumentation, using software that includes Sibelius or Nightflight.
Unlike many performing arts classes at Pioneer, Music Theory & Technology requires no previous experience for students to enroll. The class allows many talented music students at Pioneer who might not care for the traditional band, orchestra or choir ensembles to excel in music.
“You get some people who have the band background or orchestra background, and you get other people who are into more mainstream music, because both of those things are inclusive in this electronic genre,” says sophomore Kelman Wolfkostin, who is currently enrolled in Music Theory & Technology. Wolfkostin agrees that the course is entirely separated from the traditional high school music options, stating that “you can go through band without knowing a lot of music theory, and you can do this without knowing how to play an instrument.…It’s very different”.
Music Theory & Technology provides an alternative option for students who prefer less structure than a large ensemble such as band, orchestra, or choir. “It’s definitely more freeform [than most music classes],” explains Wolfkostin, “with electronic music, you can make pretty much anything you want.”
The success of Music Theory & Technology as a class at Pioneer should be mainly attributed to Ms. Waring, the only teacher of the course throughout its tenure at Pioneer. “I proposed the class when I realized that we were not meeting a state and national standard of composing on electronic instruments,” says Waring. She proposed the course and developed the curriculum for Music Theory & Technology. The creation of the class has contributed to the diversity of Pioneer’s Music Department, which was named the top Music Department in the United States in 2006 and 2011 — shortly after Waring began submitting Music Theory & Technology compositions to the Grammy Foundation.
Waring’s hard work to make Music Theory & Technology an option for Pioneer students strengthened Pioneer’s Music Department, but also helped students find their passion. “Ms. Waring is the reason I am able to do what I am doing today. It was her guidance through high school, explanation of what is required to do music in college, and letter of recommendation that helped get me to where I am,” says Brian Young, Pioneer class of 2005 graduate. Young was enrolled in the first four semesters of Music Theory & Technology, and found that he enjoyed aspects of the course that he could not attain from being a percussionist in Pioneer’s band program. “I was in charge of every aspect of the piece and could play it as many or as few times as I wanted, with as many or few sounds as I wanted, anytime,” says Young. Since graduating from Pioneer and finishing Music Theory & Technology, Young has gone on to receive degrees from Eastern Michigan University and The University of Michigan in music, in part thanks to Ms. Waring and the Music Theory & Technology course, he says.
Unlike many performing arts classes at Pioneer, Music Theory & Technology requires no previous experience for students to enroll. The class allows many talented music students at Pioneer who might not care for the traditional band, orchestra or choir ensembles to excel in music.
“You get some people who have the band background or orchestra background, and you get other people who are into more mainstream music, because both of those things are inclusive in this electronic genre,” says sophomore Kelman Wolfkostin, who is currently enrolled in Music Theory & Technology. Wolfkostin agrees that the course is entirely separated from the traditional high school music options, stating that “you can go through band without knowing a lot of music theory, and you can do this without knowing how to play an instrument.…It’s very different”.
Music Theory & Technology provides an alternative option for students who prefer less structure than a large ensemble such as band, orchestra, or choir. “It’s definitely more freeform [than most music classes],” explains Wolfkostin, “with electronic music, you can make pretty much anything you want.”
The success of Music Theory & Technology as a class at Pioneer should be mainly attributed to Ms. Waring, the only teacher of the course throughout its tenure at Pioneer. “I proposed the class when I realized that we were not meeting a state and national standard of composing on electronic instruments,” says Waring. She proposed the course and developed the curriculum for Music Theory & Technology. The creation of the class has contributed to the diversity of Pioneer’s Music Department, which was named the top Music Department in the United States in 2006 and 2011 — shortly after Waring began submitting Music Theory & Technology compositions to the Grammy Foundation.
Waring’s hard work to make Music Theory & Technology an option for Pioneer students strengthened Pioneer’s Music Department, but also helped students find their passion. “Ms. Waring is the reason I am able to do what I am doing today. It was her guidance through high school, explanation of what is required to do music in college, and letter of recommendation that helped get me to where I am,” says Brian Young, Pioneer class of 2005 graduate. Young was enrolled in the first four semesters of Music Theory & Technology, and found that he enjoyed aspects of the course that he could not attain from being a percussionist in Pioneer’s band program. “I was in charge of every aspect of the piece and could play it as many or as few times as I wanted, with as many or few sounds as I wanted, anytime,” says Young. Since graduating from Pioneer and finishing Music Theory & Technology, Young has gone on to receive degrees from Eastern Michigan University and The University of Michigan in music, in part thanks to Ms. Waring and the Music Theory & Technology course, he says.