Music education can be found across the country, but Senn High School on the North Side of Chicago provides a variety of special opportunities for its students. From talented student performance groups and a music technology program, to leadership by GRAMMY Music Educator Award finalist Trevor Nicholas, SHS stands out.
In celebration of Music In Our Schools Month, the Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter Board made a special visit to Senn High on March 2. During their visit, Board members provided industry insight and guidance to "Mr. Nick's" students, and even learned a thing or two themselves.
Throughout the whole month of March, the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum are honoring music education and educators through programs like GRAMMY In The Schools Fest. Whether you're in Chicago or reading from elsewhere, these takeaways are relevant to music educators and students everywhere.
A Thriving Environment From Rehearsal To Performance
Board members caught the end of the SHS' choir rehearsal, led by Nicholas. The educator emphasized the importance of enjoying the art of performing and maintaining high energy — a lesson the enthusiastic choir had obviously taken to heart.
For the choir students' performance later that day, Nicholas orchestrated moments in the show where students could demonstrate both strong unified moments and complex, layered sections involving intricate lyrics and overlapping melodies. He also had one of his students conduct a piece, providing an opportunity to have a student get out of their comfort zone in a rewarding environment.
While it is important to play the notes on the page, Nicholas said he strives to provide an environment where his students can also have fun and feel inspired to grow and improve in their craft, whether in the classroom or on stage.
Embrace Your Self-Worth
After the performance from Mr. Nick’s choir, members of the Chicago Board shared wisdom from their experiences in the music industry and beyond. The professionals included touring Broadway bassist Stacy McMichael to six-time Apollo-winner Tarrey Torae, to GRAMMY-winning poet J. Ivy.
A common message of the day was empowering the students to embrace themselves and their self-worth. GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, violinist and composer Susan Voelz emphasized the importance of music as a language, with everyone having their own unique voice. "No one is going to sound like you, and that’s what people want to hear."
Drummer Tammy Hurt, who serves as the Chair of the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees, gave a similar message about individualism. She told students to use their voices to create change, and to not "let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do."
Experimentation Can Happen Anywhere
Following the end of the panel, students and the Chicago Board members made their way to Mr. Nick’s classroom for a Q&A in small groups. There, the Board members were able to talk more personally about their experiences and provide career advice specific to the interests of SHS’ music students.
The students learned the importance of experimentation from Matt Hennessy, a local producer and owner of VSOP Studios. Hennessy shared how, in his experience, the barrier to entry for audio production is minimal — all you need is a recording device and your instrument.
He encouraged students to experiment by placing the recording device at various points in the room, moving between rooms, or even just putting different items in a space. Trying different placements allows you to explore how acoustics work and create a unique sound.
If You Have Ideas, Get Them Out There
When it comes to creating or remixing, GRAMMY-winning DJ and producer Terry Hunter has a deep knowledge base. He also knows what it's like to sit on ideas.
Hunter emphasized how important it is to "make your folders empty" — that is, don’t let a project or a fully produced song sit on your computer forever. Get your work into the world and, once it's released, take any criticisms in your stride and use those to make improvements to your work.
Hunter added that the more you improve, and the more authentic you are in your music, the more likely you are to garner fans and attention. It’s more important to build a small, dedicated fanbase of 1,000 than to try and go viral. From then on, the fans will follow you and any crazy, new ideas you have.
Reflecting on his experience in the more analog age in music, where DJs often carried heavy stacks of records everywhere, Hunter praised the opportunities technology can bring. Between the accessibility to produce anything for cheap, and how much easier it is to popularize subgenres online, the possibilities are endless.
Music Technology Can Inspire Student Artists
Senn High School has a one-of-a-kind music technology program that gives the students the freedom to experiment and explore endless possibilities Through their brand-new "electroacoustic” program, students are given the access to experiment soundboards, electric guitars and MIDI keyboards; digital audio workstations (DAWs) enable students to tinker with sound and let their creativity shine in a classroom setting.
The program also has a strong emphasis on collaboration. The students are put into bands where they collaborate on projects. One week they could be taking riffs from existing songs and creatively manipulating them in "riff puzzles," the next they could be working on an original work from scratch. Using cloud-based free DAWs, the students can collaborate on a track online, in real time.
While this program is in its first year at Senn High School, the impact has already been instant and immense. Students can pursue their interests in music production, while also learning the importance of collaboration in the music industry. Many students have continued to work with their bands on other projects outside of the curriculum.
Invite Students To Share Their Knowledge
Senn High School students shared their experiences with MIDI keyboards, and the way that they can manipulate sounds in ways some Chicago Chapter Board members hadn’t seen before. The students also discussed their creative endeavors, from learning new instruments in their own time, to what kind of poetry and lyrics they were writing on the train. This showcases the students’ inventiveness and drive to learn, even outside the classroom.
The students were also some of the most supportive groups of creatives out there. As they engaged with the Board members, there was passion and inspiration in their eyes. Beyond that, there was a mutual understanding of each other and their own creative endeavors. They never let their peers understate the importance or greatness of what they are accomplishing. With this group of high schoolers at the front, the future of music is bright.
