Music and Technology 

Activity 3 – Music and Technology

20-24 May 2024, Istanbul (Türkiye)

Coordinating Institution: Bağlarbaşı İlkokulu, Istanbul, Türkiye

Partner Institutions: École Fondamentale Libre Saint Joseph (Belgium) and Amicus Junior Kindergarten (Romania)

On the first day of the meeting, the Belgian and Romanian teams arrived at Bağlarbaşı Primary School in Istanbul, where they were warmly welcomed by the students with a program featuring traditional and modern dance and rhythm performances. After touring the school, participants visited a virtual music museum showcasing various instruments and their sounds. The first Soundtrap workshop introduced the basics of the platform, enabling each group to create a simple original track. The day ended with a welcome dinner.

On the second day, participants explored the cultural richness of Istanbul by visiting iconic sites such as Taksim Square, Galata Tower, the Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Bazaar. They enjoyed traditional Turkish food while sightseeing around the Golden Horn.

The third day continued with Soundtrap training at the school. Teachers learned about sound engineering and mixing techniques to balance audio elements effectively. In the afternoon, a bağlama artist performed live, introducing participants to traditional Turkish musical elements, followed by practice time for the groups to improve their own music mixes.

On the fourth day, the group visited the Historical Peninsula, touring major historical landmarks such as the Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Irene, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Gülhane Park.

On the fifth and final day, the workshop focused on advanced digital music production techniques such as sampling and synthesis. The teachers applied these methods to prepare more complex musical pieces. In the afternoon, the teams reviewed the week's achievements and discussed future collaboration plans. After a farewell ceremony and certificate presentation, the day concluded with free time for participants to enjoy Istanbul at their own pace.

Throughout the week, the participants experienced Turkish culture and music while developing digital music production skills using Soundtrap. The combination of cultural visits, hands-on workshops, and collaborative creation enriched the teachers' knowledge and provided innovative tools to implement in their classrooms. The meeting strengthened cooperation between the partner schools and contributed to the project's objectives by promoting creativity, cultural appreciation, and professional development. These outcomes are expected to positively influence students' learning experiences as teachers apply newly acquired skills and multicultural perspectives in their teaching practices.