Sound, electronics and music: An evaluation of early embodied education

Discussions of pedagogical approaches to computer music are often rooted within the realm of higher education alone. This paper describes Sound, Electronics and Music, a large-scale project in which tutelage was provided on various topics related to sound and music technology to around nine hundred school children in Scotland in 2014 and 2015. Sixteen schools were involved, including two additional support needs schools. The project engaged several expert musicians and researchers to deliver the different areas of the course. A particular emphasis was placed on providing a form of music education that would engender creative practice that was available to all, regardless of both musical ability and background. The findings and outcomes of the project suggest that we should not be restricting the discussion of how to continue to educate future generations in the practices surrounding computer music to the university level. We may be failing to engage an age group that is growing readily familiar with the skills and vocabulary surrounding new technologies.