Description
Experiencing Music Composition in Grades 3-5 is a practical guide to new, innovative, and natural composition techniques for young composers. Music Educators Michele Kaschub and Janice Smith bring a wealth of experience to bear a unique and thoughtfully curated series of materials that help teachers connect music education to young composers' everyday emotions and activities . Divided into four sections, Kaschub and Smith's book illustrates a creative roadmap for instilling a sense of creative independence in students ages 8-11. The first section introduces readers to three distinct compositional ideals that are as educationally significant as the music they help create: feelingful intention, musical expressivity, and artistic craftsmanship. These capacities help springboard children's work from sounds and brief musical gestures to thoughtfully created, expressive musical pieces. Section 2 includes fun and imaginative lessons that are accompanied by Sketchpages-graphic worksheets that support deep consideration of a project's purpose during the compositional process. Lessons also include invaluable suggestions for productive sharing in a variety of formats. Section 3 offers guidance and strategies for sharing work, providing feedback, and encouraging future growth in a manner that fosters a positive learning experience and acknowledges each composer's musical autonomy. Section 4 contains additional teacher guides focused on creating original music in different genres. These guides outline multiple approaches to corresponding lessons and jumpstart activity while serving as developmental models. Experiencing Music Composition: Grades 3-5 offers new ways to promote not only creative intuition in children but also independent thought, preparing students for a fulfilling relationship with music.
Table of Contents
ContentsWelcome to Experiencing Music CompositionAbout the Companion WebsiteThe Experiencing Music Composition ProgramWhat to Expect from Young ComposersTypical Characteristics of Composers in Grades 3-5Typical Qualities of Works by Composers in Grades 3-5How to Use This BookSection 1: Compositional CapacitiesOn ComposingCompositional CapacitiesFeelingful IntentionDeveloping the Capacity of Feelingful IntentionMusical ExpressivityMore About the M.U.S.T.S.Developing the Capacity of Musical ExpressivityArtistic CraftsmanshipTechniques and Etudes for Grades 3-5Developing the Capacity of Artistic CraftsmanshipFinal ThoughtsSection 2: Using SketchpagesGuiding the JourneyIntroducing Sketchpages to Young ComposersSketchpages as Multi-taskersSection 3: Creative Positive Compositional ExperiencesComposition Requires a Different Kind of TeachingWorking with "In-process" ComposersIdea GenerationIdea Development or ExtensionAnchoring Knowledge, Inviting InspirationGuidelines for Sharing Compositions - Giving and Receiving FeedbackSetting Expectations and Creating GuidelinesComposer's CirclesWorking with Reluctant SharersPutting Feedback to Good UsePost-Performance ReflectionsMaking the Most of Limited TimeframesSection 4: Teacher Guides and Student SketchpagesTeacher GuidesCurricular OrganizationSongwriting and Choral MusicComposition and Visual MediaInstrumental MusicElectronic Music and Digital MediaMusic TheaterProjects for Grade 3Songwriting & Choral Music - Seasons: A Song Cycle in Four MovementsComposition & Visual Media - Composing for Adventuresome CharactersProject in Instrumental Music - Sounds & NotationsProject in Electronic Music & Digital Media - Duets with Tone Matrix GeneratorsProject in Music Theater - Getting to Know Me: Introducing Character SongsProjects for Grade 4Project in Songwriting & Choral Music - Tonic & Dominant Friendship SongsProject in Composition & Visual Media - Before & AfterProject in Instrumental Music - Percussion CanonProject in Electronic Music & Digital Media - Head in the GameProject in Music Theater - There's More than One Way to Tell a StoryProjects for Grade 5Project in Songwriting & Choral Music - Our Blues AlbumProject in Composition & Visual Media - From Silent Movie to Film Score: Just "Say Cheese"Project in Instrumental Music - Soundscapes: A Walk through the FairProject in Electronic Music & Digital Media - Podcasts with Peer ComposersProject in Music Theater - Mini-Musical: A Story in Just Five SongsAppendix: Sketchpage Notation Templates
