From September 16 to 20, 2024, the Blended Intensive Program (BIP) ‘Engaging Music Technology’ was held in the “classroom of the future” at the Teacher Training College of the University of Extremadura. This innovative program introduced students to the transformative potential of music technology in education, composition, and performance, providing an opportunity to explore the vast possibilities of electronic music and new technological interfaces for musical expression.
Students from the Universities of Oradea and Évora, as well as the Superior School of Applied Arts (ESART) from the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, collaborated on the development of a groundbreaking course. Designed by professors Rui Dias and Martín Gómez-Ullate, the course utilized a project-based learning approach. It integrated classical music theory with practical exercises in choral and instrumental singing, traditional music, and advanced music technologies. The program featured music programming tools such as Max MSP, digital audio workstations like Ableton Live and Reaper, and focused on acoustics, measuring sound nodes and exploring spatialization techniques.
The high level of student participation resulted in the composition of pieces like Supernova, which blended room acoustics and nodal frequencies with classical music elements—soprano, violin, and two flutes—and electronic music performed using controllers.
The course also provided a cultural immersion experience in the musical heritage of Extremadura and Spain, featuring flamenco, jotas, and Sephardic songs. Participants enjoyed concerts, educational performances, and workshops on traditional instruments, as well as cultural tours exploring the musical heritage of the city of Cáceres.
This program exemplifies the University of Extremadura’s commitment to merging traditional music education with modern technological advancements, fostering a unique learning experience for students from across Europe.