Kevin Longwill teaches Music Technology and Modern Music Ensemble at Temple University and Abington School District. He is a two-time Grammy nominated educator and active performing musician. Students in his program have recorded, produced, and released considerable EPs and commercial recordings, and can be found on most streaming platforms via a student-run record label, M3 Records. For more information visit http://www.kevinlongwill.com

How has technology changed music teaching since the beginning of your career?

The ease of use and availability of components has skyrocketed in recent years. The rise of clone/copycat materials has made it easier to teach some of the signal chain pieces that are legendary without breaking the bank. Also, VST technology has gotten so incredible that students are able to learn the sounds using a plugin, then more easily replicate on a piece of hardware later.

Flexible and mobile approaches are also making digital literacy and production skills more easily accessible regardless of the device, where programs like Soundtrap can be accessed from a Chromebook, and offerings like Ableton Note or even Logic can be accessed from an iPad.

“Kids want to make music that resonates for them, and creating the opportunities to do so through music technology will make all the difference.”

Briefly describe your journey in building a technology infused music curriculum (or integrating tech into a traditional curriculum)

During COVID, I approached our administration about restructuring our music technology program to include more collaborative performance opportunities outside of the school day, but tying into our existing coursework during the day. This “co-curricular” approach merged performance and production, and our program blew up. We allowed and encouraged students to make whatever music resonated most with them, whether hip hop, rock, electronic, acoustic singer-songwriter, as well as by developing production-based skills in audio, video, and live performance elements. We’ve expanded our offerings to our middle school students as well as a result of the success in our high school program, and this is allowing us to create a progression that allows students to get involved with music making regardless of their background or interests, and delve into some really exciting topics throughout the sequence.

What technology are you using in your music lessons on a daily basis?

In our production labs and studios, our students utilize DAWs like Logic and Ableton to create curricular projects and original music. Through our coursework, we attempt to give students an opportunity to experience music technology through traditional approaches to recording, like using outboard and analog gear in tandem with computers, as well as using as “in-the-box” opportunities.

With our co-curricular ensembles, students have the opportunity to experience music performance and production through the lens of a live performance. Our students in the modern band and touring ensembles work through developing a live show, while our audio, video, lighting, and live animation production students develop a concert experience that ties into the music of the ensemble. Overall, we hope to create context for contemporary performance, and amplify not just the efforts on stage, but also those behind the scenes that make memorable performances a reality.

What is a particular success story from using technology in your music classes?

We’ve been very fortunate to have students take the merger of performance and production and run with it, either choosing to use their talents in live performance within our community or in prominent venues in Philadelphia and New York, and/or by working in-house or in outside studios to realize making their music into recordings with the ultimate goal of release. Oftentimes kids are working with each other to assist with recording and production, really bringing everything full circle within the scope of the music industry.

What advice do you have for others reshaping their music classes with technology-based lessons?

Utilizing music technology will promote an entirely new level of authentic experiences for your students, and will likely introduce an entirely new population of unaffiliated music makers into your program. Kids will actively begin to make music on their own, propelling forward the efforts of your program and school. Kids want to make music that resonates for them, and creating the opportunities to do so through music technology will make all the difference.