Composing in the Classroom

An Engaging and Flexible Model Lesson

Benjamin Bolden

My Connections to Teaching Composing

Composer Teacher Teacher of Composing Researcher

StudentsComposingStudents

Composing

Providing Tools

Engaging Guiding

Causal Conditions

Consequences

The Teaching-Composing Process

Sample Lesson: Rhythm Comp

Engaging Providing Tools

Guiding

• Improvise/Explore• Model Process (compose

together) • Collaboration with peers

• Sequence tasks • Enable students to hear their work• Peer & teacher feedback (questions/suggestions)

Freedoms &Constraints

Engaging Models

the hook model (watch and listen) the assignment-specific model (physically engage

in the music) Balancing freedoms and constraints

Parameters: limiting rhythm values, time signature, etc.

Extending the boundaries if students need greater freedom

Showcasing and sharing student work Motivate and inspire (spark ideas) * at various points throughout the composing

process

Providing Tools

Improvise/Explore To get a sense of the shape of the piece (together) To find an idea/motif (alone)

Model the Process (compose together) Composing is making decisions (what happens

next?) 3 choices: repeat, develop, new material Developing: e.g. chunking, extending, shrinking,

stretching Structuring: vertical (unison/solo/polyphonies), horizontal (e.g. abba, abaca, etc.)

Guiding

Sequence tasks: Find motif Make decisions (repeat? develop? new material?) Structure (horizontally and vertically) Refine

Aural feedback: enable students to HEAR their work (facilitating self assessment)

Teacher and peer feedback: questions/suggestions

Thank you.

benbolden@gmail.com