Lentine's Music Technology Bus

By Rick Long

No doubt about it, budgets are tight. When you finally do have the funds to begin or improve music technology training at your school, how do you insure that you are getting what you need to do the job right? How do you know which equipment is state-of-the-art and which is yesterday's news? How do you know which software packages contain the ability to do the tasks you have in mind? Are there courseware programs already available that help you teach students about the latest technological capabilities in music?

The bottom line is that you need a consultant. This is where Lentine's Music, Inc., in Akron, Ohio, can help. In order to meet the needs of educators who are trying to make technology purchase decisions, Lentine's decided to take it on the road in a big way. So big, in fact, that it takes a 45ft bus to do the job.

The "Music Technology Tour Bus" was designed with the idea that the best way for people to make decisions about technology is to see the equipment and software in action and actually get their hands on the products. The bus contains four computers with MIDI keyboards attached to each one. The bus is designed to accommodate eight individuals; four at the computers with four observers standing by. Music educators (all levels), music supervisors, school administrators, and technology coordinators can sit down at the computer workstations while the Lentine's staff provides demonstrations of the various hardware and software options that will meet the school's goals. All the facilities necessary to demonstrate music technology labs, MIDI keyboards, music software, instructional courseware, and the latest cutting edge music technology, are included in the bus.

The Lentine's staff begins to work with your school/district before the bus ever arrives. They focus on what you want to have technology do for you. This "music technology needs assessment" is driven by your vision, not the vision of the software or hardware designers. They look at existing equipment and determine how best to integrate that equipment with new purchases in order to meet your goals. In other words, Lentine's helps you tailor the equipment and software so that you get the technological capabilities and educational results you want.
The bus can also provide educators with the tools they need to develop music technology curricula. The best equipment is only as good as the curriculum that is used to educate students in its use. By helping educators with every phase of music technology training, from demonstration to installation, Lentine's insures that you have everything you need to implement a successful music technology training program.
The final step of the process is a technology proposal based on your needs and your experience with the hardware/software demonstrations on the technology bus. When you are ready to purchase, Lentine's can be your single source for music software, music hardware, PC computer systems, MIDI keyboards, music technology lab systems, lab furniture, recording systems, music technology installations. Customer support after the sale is also an important part of the overall package.

Schools that have worked with the technology bus have many good things to say about the outcome. I spoke with Jim Holcomb, Performing Arts Specialist with Memphis City Schools, about his experience with the technology bus. Holcomb supervises 65 band directors and needed the technology bus to help them meet new technology challenges. "Our district just implemented technology guidelines so I called Lentine's. I knew they were one of the leaders in the country."

When the bus arrived, Holcomb relates that, "We were able to run eight people through per hour. The Lentine's staff was very flexible with their presentation since some of our people had computer experience and some didn't. They stayed late even though they had to be in Houston the next morning." Holcomb was especially pleased with the professionalism and knowledge of the Lentine's staff. "They even showed us how to get high school age students involved with technology. And there were never any high pressure sales tactics."

Holcomb also found that the consultation was not just a one-day event. Since the technology bus visit, the Lentine's staff has acted as a resource for local educators who needed information for grant proposals and other requests. According to Holcomb, "They have acted as mentors and guides for us ever since the initial visit."

The fee for the technology bus consulting services can easily be justified in your budget since the consultation will help you make the right initial purchase decisions to meet your goals. One way to help reduce the fee is to work with other educators in your area to schedule the bus for several stops. This allows Lentine's to distribute the travel expenses over several consultations thus reducing the individual cost. For more information or to book the "Music Technology Tour Bus" for a trip to your school, call 800-822-6752, extension 92108. Visit www.lentine.com for information on Lentine's full-line of music merchandise.