Ryan Olivier’s Electronic Labyrinth

By Parker Norris

In today’s world, technology is an essential component of life. Technology is changing the way in which people interact with the world. The constant stream of technological transformation affects a variety of institutions within society, particularly education. Recently, Ryan Olivier, assistant professor of music, has been adopting new technology for use in a variety of classroom environments.

Olivier’s extensive knowledge of both electronic music and music technology is integral to the structure of every course that he teaches.

“I view technology as a tool that is always involved in and important to any creative process. I want to pass that perspective onto my students and encourage them to explore their creativity through newfound technological means,” Olivier says.

One technological outlet that Oliver uses in the classroom is the program, Max, a software that is designed specifically for creating musical compositions through the language of visual programming. The program, through complex connections that users can create, is able to play a wide variety of commands on instruments and can be accessed easily on many mobile devices. Olivier and his students can use the Max program with much creativity and, most recently, have used it to develop the modern-day equivalent of a self-playing piano, also known as a player piano.

The self-playing piano, an oldfashioned piece of entertaining instrumentation that is a trope in classic movies, has been brought into the technologically rich time of today through Oliver’s teaching.

“What I find most satisfying about developing the player piano is witnessing how my students use their creativity to bring their ideas to life and problem-solve,” Olivier explains. The music technology curriculum encourages students to expand their horizons and think artistically about using technology within the field of music.

“I want students to explore their options, try different things, and find what works best for them. I hope for them to find a creative outlet that is meaningful for them,” Olivier says.

These efforts have resulted in students being able to express themselves and bring about a new meaning to making music.

These advanced methods allow for students to have greater access to tools that can fulfill their artistry in music. This innovation in creativity reflects Oliver’s own personal experiences, as he has an extensive background in combining the fields of music and multimedia to create unique, boundary-pushing pieces of artwork. This same opportunity is being given to students at IU South Bend, as the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts recently introduced a Music Technology program for students. That type of learning environment is cultivated through hands-on, small group instruction, promotes students to explore their abilities, and allows them to use inventiveness in their work.

The music technology program at IU South Bend is one that is unique within the construct of a college setting. The creative freedom given to students and the passion exhibited by Olivier is an example of a new type of education that is gaining traction on college campuses. This innovation of education anticipates the future and prepares students for a world that is far more complex and expressive than has ever been seen before. The music that comes out of Olivier’s classes hits the right note with students and is an indication of a new style of program at IU South Bend.

Kick starting the new school year off on the right foot

By Kate Luce

Incoming freshmen and transfer students share common fears about starting college: class workload, time management, making connections, and getting familiar with campus. Because of these fears, Raclin School of the Arts created the event KickStart Raclin Arts to help these students become more familiar with classes and the school, receive guidance from students and faculty, and start the school year off as ready as they can be.

KickStart was implemented in the fall of 2018. The idea is to give a specialized approach to help students get familiar to the Raclin School of the Arts facilities as well as their faculty and staff. Due to the success of the first installment of KickStart, bringing the event back for a second year was a no brainer. Students feel as though this event has helped them in ways the typical orientation has not.

The morning begins with special presentations from the departments within the School of of the Arts, as well as guest speakers from the School of the Arts staff. This is more of an ice breaker, to get the students comfortable and see the many things the school has to offer. The morning presentation consists of a theatre and dance segment from the previous musical, a music performance, and other information on the many things going on in the School of the Arts.

Later on, current students and faculty serve as tour guides around campus. After the guided tour, the students speak individually to KickStart attendees, answering their questions, and providing new students with advice on classes and the school itself while having lunch together.

“KickStart was a new and exciting experience for me. I loved getting to know the new art students, making them feel welcome on campus, and helping them feel welcome in the art community of South Bend,” Brianna Edgerly, BFA ’20 Photography and student guide, says. Lastly, students come back to Northside to mingle with one another, ask any other questions, enjoy snacks, and receive their KickStart Raclin Arts t-shirt.

“I feel a lot more comfortable knowing more. I got a chance to have some questions answered that I had about starting college. It helped to have students around, and I could ask them where to go for my classes,” Lillyiana Colt, incoming graphic design student, says.

“I feel really good and well prepared to get to my classes. I feel like this year is going to be a great year,” Reagan Cagle, incoming 3-D modeling and animation student, says.

As these students begin their first year at IU South Bend, one thing is for sure, they are off on the right foot with the help of KickStart. This program will continue to help pave the way and help guide Raclin students in the future.