Vermont MIDI Project Celebrates 10th Anniversary and Opus 11 Concert

It is the tenth anniversary of the Vermont MIDI Project, and on May 17, the Opus 11 concert by members of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra will be held to play 22 student compositions selected from this year's program. By using Sibelius, a powerful music notation software package, students compose and arrange original music on a computer, print out their compositions, save them to CD—and, as a vital component of Vermont MIDI Project, share them over the Internet. With the free Scorch™ plug-in from Sibelius, project members can view each other's work on-screen and hear what it sounds like using the MIDI sounds available on their computers – switching easily among instrument voices, tempos and keys. In the classrooms of many public elementary schools in Vermont , these tools have unlocked a torrent of creativity and ability.

Featuring works for string ensemble and woodwind quintet, over 70 pieces were submitted online during the selection process with 22 compositions chosen to be performed at the Opus 11 concert. This year, students hail from school districts across the state of Vermont in grades 5 through 12. To view and hear the 22 selections, visit the Vermont MIDI Project's Opus 11 page.

“The students worked very hard on their compositions this year, and although we are only able to have a fraction of these wonderful pieces performed at Opus 11, all entrants will be acknowledged during the concert,” states Vermont MIDI Project coordinator Sandi MacLeod.

Regarding the music tools students are using, MacLeod notes that students in the program have no difficulty using Sibelius to compose their work. “Much of the time, kids are more computer-savvy than many of their teachers, and they are undaunted by the wealth of possibilities Sibelius programs can offer to them.”

Critique is a part of the classroom culture, and all teachers work to embed reflection and critique into their composition curriculum in a respectful, constructive atmosphere. While most compositions are reviewed in the classroom, some are posted on the password-protected website to receive feedback from the professional mentors, other students, and teachers. A given composition may go through several cycles of posting, commentary and revision during its lifespan.  

“The Vermont MIDI project builds confidence in young musicians and composers and generates enthusiasm by all who become involved in this program,” states Bill Reilly, President, Sibelius USA, Inc. “Its ten-year history reaffirms our long-term commitment to provide the necessary tools for students, educators and professionals. We wish the students in the Project continued success.”

This year's composer-mentors who used Sibelius 3 and Sibelius Scorch to offer professional guidance to the Vermont MIDI Project students as their compositions progressed include Erik Nielsen, Peggy Madden, Timothy Bowlby, Patricia Morehead, Mike Close, David Ludwig, Troy Peters, Jeff Perrin, Carolyn Keck and legendary composer Sammy Nestico.

Notes to editors

About Sibelius

Sibelius Software Ltd. is based in London , England . Its U.S. subsidiary, Sibelius USA, Inc., is located at 1407 Oakland Boulevard, Suite 103 , Walnut Creek , CA 94596 , and has offices in Baltimore , Cleveland , Dallas and Nashville . Sibelius products are available worldwide in more than 100 countries. For more information, contact Sibelius USA at phone (925) 280-0600; fax (925) 280-0008; on the Web at www.sibelius.com; or via e-mail at infoUSA@sibelius.com.