You may remember that a few years back Sibelius distributed a software title for a short while here in the US called O-Generator Learning to Compose. For one reason or another it wasn’t around for very long, but I am very pleased to report that it is once again available here in the US along with a brand new exciting title called O-Generator World Music. If you’ve never heard of O-Generator you most certainly will. Made by a company from the UK called O-Music, it is an ingenious way to get students in elementary, middle, and high school composing music in a brand new way. Check out the videos and demos on each of the software landing pages. I have had both titles for a few months now, and I have to say, it is a blast to make music with. The software employs an ingenious circular display that splits up a measure into sixteenth notes. Each sixteenth note is represented by a small circle (the strong beats have a larger circle). Within each circle students can enter a wide variety of high quality samples, including drums, bass, guitar, vocal, and keyboard loops. Once you have filled up your circle, you can move on to the next one until you have composed a complete song. Students will easily understand how the interface works, and will enjoy creating their own songs in a non-traditional way (no notation, no loop sequencing interface). Both software titles also include teaching materials, supplemental videos that help explain the various concepts in the software. The lessons are also tied to the UK music learning standards - so the programmers were really think about education when they created it. I would strongly recommend adding this title to your software offering. It works wonderfully with both a SmartBoard or digital whiteboard and in a lab setting. At the upcoming TI:ME National Conference (held in conjunction with NJMEA), Marcel Pusey from O-Music will be making presentations on both titles. If you are coming to this fantastic event, be sure to stop by his sessions. SoundTree will have copies of both titles available for sale in our booth. SoundTree is very proud to offer both of these titles on our web store (Mac/PC). O-Generator Learning to Compose is priced at $129, and O-Generator World Music (a very unique approach to teaching world music) is priced at $149. As always, lab pricing is available from SoundTree. Contact your local SoundTree Account Manager today to order or shop online!