Mr. Eisemann's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 13

• GHS Music Lab/Recording Studio: Headphones

  Funded Dec 19, 2013

  I can't thank all of you enough. This project has been very special and exciting for my students. This year donors like you have done a lot to fund the creation of the Grant Recording Studio. We've acquired software and microphones, cables and speakers, and they've all been vital to the program.

  But this small piece that you helped out with was a bit different. There is something about teenagers and quality headphones. Much more so than microphones and speakers, my students have been most excited by having a pair of headphones they can put on their head and immerse themselves in a world of sound. It seems every teen these days has a pair of earbuds or a set of headphones they carry with them at all time. They are a fashion statement as well as a way of enveloping themselves in their own musical tastes.

  The headphones that you helped fund for our school fit right in with the students interests and have really helped connect them to the work they're doing. As this project continues they will be placed over many different ears, and play many different sounds. And don't worry, I'll clean them ever so often as well. Thank you again for your help - from all of my students and myself.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Eisemann

• GHS Music Lab Software: Sibelius 7

  Funded Oct 7, 2013

  A few months back each of you got word of this project to bring music software to Grant. Rather than thinking, "Hey, that's cool." and moving on, you decided to do something about it and become part of a remarkable change. Because you saw value and promise in this project it has been fully funded and is an integral part of the music program.

  When I first announced to the students that we were going to try and create a music lab/studio at Grant they were excited but not completely enthused. They're used to people talking about big ideas and nothing coming from them. Then when Sibelius arrived they saw the beginning of a huge opportunity. Within days I had students lining up to get on to the computer to start utilizing the software to compose, arrange and play with musical ideas.

  With Sibelius as a part of our classroom we've been able to create our own arrangements of music that better suit the needs of our ensembles. Students have began using it to compose music for their own personal use and for college applications. Students are using it to create rehearsal tracks and accompaniment tracks for them to download onto their iPods so they can rehearse their music outside of the classroom. We've even started thinking about using it to publish our own scores and enhance our music library for use by the whole district. To say the least, it's been a game changer.

  Thank you so much for your initial faith and participation in this project. I can't imagine what this year or the years ahead would look like without such a valuable resource.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Eisemann

• GHS Recording Studio/Music Lab: Monitor Speakers

  Funded Oct 17, 2013

  On the day these studio monitors arrived my students finally knew for real that this project of setting up a studio was coming to fruition. Kids get excited about music. And seeing professional grade speakers brought into their space for them to use was very exciting. They eagerly helped me open the boxes and get everything plugged in. When we finally had everything ready to go and the first sound was pumped through all of us knew these were going to be an invaluable tool. The precision and quality of the sound was amazing.

  Now, on almost a daily basis the speakers are used by students for reviewing and analyzing music they've either created or have recorded. Student arrangers are using their clarity to follow along with popular music they are transcribing for their ensembles. Rappers and poets are using them to discover the timbre and quality of their own voice. And entire ensembles are using them to review their recordings in order to perfect their sound.

  With these speakers my students are able to learn so much more about listening - a skill many of us take for granted. Active listening requires patience, critical thinking and attention to detail. There is a lot of truth to be discovered when you hear, crystal clear, the sound of your own voice for the first time. And my students are just starting to make that discovery.

  Thank you so much for your faith and support in making this project come to life. It is and will continue to be invaluable to my students and our program here at Grant High School.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Eisemann

  This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 3 other donors.