Chadderbox

Mr Whitby Gets Technical

This term the music department's computer equipment has been stepped up a gear. "The computers are even more up to date than the computers in Widnes College" says Mr Whitby, St Chad's music teacher.

The music department has now got programmes such as Cubase SX, Sibelius and Fruity Loops.

"What do these programmes do?"
Cubase SX is for recording compositions and it is the most up to date version. Sibelius is for printing music notes and Fruity Loops is for experimenting with different sounds and styles of music.

"Who can use them?"
A level students use Cubase SX all of the time as part of their A level courses. Year 10s use the programme every so often to speed up ideas for GCSE coursework. Years 8 and 9 use Fruity Loops to help express their musical ideas.

"Why do we need these programmes?"
These programmes expand the pupil's creativity even if they cant play instruments. "For example, you can play music backwards," explains Mr Whitby.

"Where can you find the computers?"
There are 14 computers in every music room, apart from the drum room and they are all equipped with these programmes.

by Hannah Gilsenan
article published 8th November 2005