ROLAND HOSTS THIRD ANNUAL TEACHER TECHNOLOGY RETREAT.

INDEPENDENT PIANO teachers learned about the many benefits of incorporating music technology into their curriculums during Roland's third annual Teacher Technology Retreat. Hosted by Roland's Contemporary Keyboards (CK) Division on August 5 and 6, the Retreat helped approximately 40 piano teachers from across the United States take a giant technological leap forward.

"We're not trying to change the way the teachers teach," said Lynda Garcia, director of education at Roland. "The Retreat is designed to show the participants how they can easily use technology with traditional teaching methods for effective lessons."

The participating teachers gathered at Roland's Los Angeles corporate headquarters for two days of seminars and demonstrations. The teachers gained "hands- on" experience with Roland's latest musical instruments, GS/General MIDI sound modules, an expanding catalog of education Standard MIDI Files, notation/sequencing software, and other computer music applications. They were guided by Roland clinicians Brenda Dillon and Sandy Porter in private sessions, "mini-labs," and full-scale group instruction.

Participants also learned more about CK's Music Tutor learning focus. A Music Tutor is a GS/General MIDI instrument with a disk drive that uses interactive music disks to assist students while they learn, rehearse, or play the piano. "With a Music Tutor, not only is there more one-on-one interaction between the teacher and student, but the keyboard and the music disks also provide important guidance between the lessons," said Larry Harms, Roland's CK market development manager.

Representatives from major music publishers were also on hand to demonstrate how the interactive music disks help students learn faster and have more fun while playing the piano. "Each year more music publishers ask to appear at the Retreat," said Harms. "The publishers are excited about the technology and they help us expound on the practical benefits of technology in keyboard learning."

"Technology has made our teaching fun, and the children love it," said music composer and educator Walter Noona. His wife, Carol, added, "The teachers at the Retreat are so open to technology. People are more accepting of technology today."

Pam Haynes and Kristi Larsen, both from Lawrence, Kansas, recently opened a piano school in their home town. They came to the retreat to get a better understanding on how to incorporate technology into their new school. "It's great to get out and see the technology," said Larsen. Both commented on how exciting it was to meet and talk with other teachers who are interested in expanding their studios. "It's nice to know that we're not alone in wanting to combine traditional methods with technology," said Larsen.

Karen Krieger, an assistant professor of music at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, said that technology has really helped her students. "I teach my students how to make music, practice, and have fun," she said. "Technology makes kids excited about playing the piano, and they continue to play. Technology is where the world's at."

"The teachers were more enthusiastic than ever," said Garcia. "They were open and eager to learn and apply the new technology. All the participants came away from the learning-intensive retreat with many of their questions answered."

The participating teachers were nominated by local CK dealers based on their interest in expanding their curriculum through the use of technology. Though strict nominating guidelines and criteria were set, Roland had an extremely tough job of narrowing down the list of teachers to those exclusive few who traveled to Los Angeles for the Retreat.