Soundtree, the educational division of Korg USA, just highlighted an article on their website from our very own Mr. Splettstoeszer!
Highlighting how “the impact of technology on students’ creative journeys cannot be overstated,” Mr. Splettstoeszer showed off the new music technology lab at THS, where students can use “professional-grade tools and real-world applications” for such things as sampling, remixing, and podcasting. The Raider Report has just made use of this space to produce our first podcast – Hot Takes – featuring Maddie McGillicuddy and Abby Petrie (link to follow soon).
The Torrington High School Music Technology Suite is a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide students with hands-on experience in modern music production, recording, and performance. The suite includes a professional podcast studio, a Mackie DLZ Creator, a modern band room, and a piano lab.
The publication of Mr. Splettstoeszer’s article on Soundtree continues the national legacy of THS’s music program. For the past 24 years, Torrington Public Schools have been recognized as one of the Top 100 Communities for Music Education. Additionally, the music technology program has been nationally recognized and featured at All-State conferences in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Texas.
According to Splettstoeszer, who has served as Director of Instrumental Music/ Music Technology at THS for 28 years, “this recognition from Soundtree and KORG highlights the growing importance of music technology in education and showcases Torrington High School’s commitment to providing students with real-world, industry-relevant learning opportunities.” Splettstoeszer is a two-time Grammy-nominated educator whose marching band and ensembles have been consistent award winners.
Students in Music Tech love the new space. “It’s amazing to have such a modern space for recording podcasts,” said senior Abby Petrie. According to Petrie and junior Maddie McGillicuddy, the new podcast space has improved the sound quality of their podcasts and made editing more efficient. They feel like “real professionals” putting together their podcast and say that “Mr. S. is so easy to work with. It was really intimidating at first, but he really explained things well and let us take over.”
The SoundTree team comprises industry experts, professional educators, and performing musicians who collaborate with educational institutions to develop tailored technology solutions. Their mission is to empower educators to create dynamic and engaging learning environments that prepare students for future careers.
