Initial Thoughts

Using the internet as a means of expression is a new concept for me. Until now I used it strictly for e-mail, reading news, and wasting time (e.g. Facebook). I have recently discovered, though, that this medium is valuable not only for social and personal functions.

One mind-boggling idea is that the internet is an instrument, and your computer the performance venue. As I am learning how to embed audio files in websites, I also discover that because of the variety of available monitors, modem speeds, and file sizes, my website will appear differently to different users. This can be interpreted as viewing different performances of the same material.

Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say your computer is a musician. The creator of the website controls the raw material to the best of her ability. One can only provide the instructions up to a point. The actual display of web material is mostly left up to the viewer's computer and internet connection. It's like a composer-performer relationship; composers write as much as they can into the music, but the performer brings the music to the audience. That performance involves much more thinking and acting in the performance, though; a computer will not respond to the music in relation to years and years of performance experience or in relation to the greater practice of music. But it is an interesting new perspective for me to think about "performances" of web material.

So for those who think "Technological Trends in Music Education" is going to be all about learning MIDI and how to use Finale, consider this your warning: you're actually joining an ensemble.