1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Chelsey Buseck UCM Foundation [email protected] 660-543-8000 UCM Foundation Opportunity Grant Helps Students Hone Music Pitch WARRENSBURG, Mo. (March. 12, 2014) — University of Central Missouri percussion music students are becoming pitch perfect a little quicker and easier, thanks to software introduced to their classroom through a UCM Foundation Opportunity Grant. Professor Michael Sekelsky received funding to purchase multiple subscriptions to SmartMusic, a popular software system that assesses and provides immediate feedback on correctly and incorrectly played pitches, rhythms and sight-reading comprehension. Utilized primarily by students, the software also provides a way for UCM educators to accurately track student progress. "Sight-reading has evolved so much in recent years. When applying for this opportunity grant, I saw a great need for our department as a whole and specifically for my percussion area to modernize some of its practices," said Sekelsky. Caleb Smith, a percussion performance student, was introduced to SmartMusic last fall and has continued to practice his xylophone using the software through the spring semester. “Performance wise, SmartMusic has been really effective in helping me perform without any errors, which ultimately helps prepare me for my professional career,” said Smith, a UCM junior. Students using SmartMusic have all seen an increase in their ability to sight-read more efficiently, witnessing marked improvement throughout the semester. Because of student excitement and the success of the program, the woodwind and brass areas are also looking into purchasing SmartMusic software licenses for all studios in the department. Funded by unrestricted gifts from donors, the UCM Foundation Opportunity Grant program supports faculty and staff members who have ideas but insufficient funding for entrepreneurial projects that focus on strengthening the university’s learning environment. For more information, visit ucmo.edu/foundation.
