Eric Songer, band director from Chaska Middle School West, recently won a $12,000 grant from the national ING Unsung Heroes awards program. The $12,000 grant was awarded by ING U.S., which uses the program to give grants to educators throughout the country for innovative teaching ideas. Songer won the grant with his original creation of The Next Generation of Music.

Eric is a Finale and SmartMusic user, and his students perform popular music genres, such as hip-hop and electronica, and also compose, produce and record music. Students use nontraditional instruments, such as turntables and electric guitars. They can also create music videos, blog, and design websites in the program.

We salute you, Eric, along with any other teacher using technology to enhance their student’s love of music.