Templates for Informal Composition Task
Draft #1 I have decided to create a composition template to be introduced to students in lesson 2 as part of the composition informal assessment task. As the 5 students all possess a high level of musicianship, particularly the diploma performance level student (violin) - (extension activities included). As one of the requirements/parameters of the task is for students to utilise mixed meter and cross rhythms, I would have decided to provide students with stimulus musical material in 4/4. My reasoning for this is that it will challenge students to think about how they can adapt material in 4/4 and make it best work for music that is in other meters (both compound and simple).
It is also important for students to note (pun intended!) three points to this task, which I will add to my lesson plan:
1) The musical material in the template is in D major as I have chosen to compose a model piece for students in D major. Each of the 5 students will decide on a tonal centre, following Rush by Matthew Hindson as a model piece (which centres around the tonal centre of E).
2) Research the solo instruments they're composing for - students will be required to do some research on the solo instrument in terms of melodic range, techniques, idiomatic stylistic features and variations in tone colour, in instance.
Solo instruments can include:
Piano
Oboe
Trumpet
Flute
(among others...)
3) One of the parameters of the task is that students are to closely adhere to the techniques studied in class from the model piece, Rush (i.e. use of melodic ostinatos, rhythmic canons and contrast through tonality).
Draft #2 I have added musical stimulus in the violin 1 part which is able to form part of the cross rhythm between voices. Draft #2 found here.
Draft #3 I have now decided not to add music stimulus / material for the bass line (cello), as this will be explored through the Non-Western Art Music piece (The Astounding Eyes of Rita by Anouar Brahem) as a model / inspiration to create a sense of unity within the composition.
I've also changed the musical material in each bar so that there is greater scope for students, i.e. each cell (bar) is intended to be repeated and each cell to use a different meter.
Draft #4 I've added more stimulus material for the 2 other voices of the quartet (excluding the bass line, cello for reasons above) and have excluded the solo instrument which can be seen in the model resource created for students in another blog, as students will be required to research their chosen solo instrument and its conventions. Draft found here.
Draft #5 I have added aleatoric features (as studied in Light for the First Time) and a modulation (as studied in Rush) in the final draft to exemplify the features of these pieces.
Final draft here.