Experiencing Music Composition in Grades K-2

Experiencing Music Composition in Grades K-2 is designed to help teachers and students create original music through materials and activities that are enticing and accessible. The text offers an innovative approach to composition teaching and learning to promote the development of the compositional capacities of feelingful intention, musical expressivity, and artistic craftsmanship. With instructional materials aligned to real world tasks from the genres of songwriting/choral music, composition and visual media, instrumental music, electronic music and digital media, and music theater, program activities easily fit into existing curricular frames. Students will transition from participation in teacher-facilitated whole class lessons to more independent compositional work using Sketchpages to guide their critical and creative thinking. These unique graphic organizers blend elements of the composer's notebook with doodle space to help students plan compositions, track their thinking through the compositional process, and document their analysis of completed works. They can also be projected in full color from the website for the book.

Michele Kaschub and

About the Companion WebsitePart I Introduction to Experiencing Music CompositionWelcome to Experiencing Music CompositionChapter 1: The Experiencing Music Composition ProgramExperiencing Music Composition and the National Arts Standards for Music
Teaching Music Composition with the National Arts Standards for Music
Chapter 2: What to Expect from Very Young ComposersTypical Characteristics of Composers in Grades K-2Typical Qualities of Works by Composers in Grades K-2Chapter 3: How to Use This BookPart II Facilitating the Work of Very Young ComposersChapter 4: Compositional CapacitiesOn ComposingFeelingful 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 K-2Developing the Capacity of Artistic CraftsmanshipFinal ThoughtsChapter 5: Using Sketchpages
Guiding the JourneyIntroducing Sketchpages to Young ComposersSketchpages as Multi-taskersChapter 6: Creative Positive Compositional Experiences
Composition Requires a Different Kind of Teaching
Working with "In-process" Composers
Idea Generation
Idea Development or Extension
Anchoring Knowledge, Inviting Inspiration
Guidelines for Sharing Compositions - Giving and Receiving Feedback
Setting Expectations and Creating Guidelines
Composer's Circles
Working with Reluctant Sharers
Putting Feedback to Good Use
Post-performance Reflections
Making the Most of Limited Timeframes
Chapter 7: Teacher Guides and Student Sketchpages
Teacher Guides
Curricular Organization
Projects for Kindergarten
Chapter 8: Songwriting and Choral Music - Teddy Bear Lullabies
Chapter 9: Composition and Visual Media - Sonifying Characters: The Gingerbread Man
Chapter 10: Instrumental Music - Stormy Weather
Chapter 11: Electronic Music and Digital Media - Achieving Artistry with Apps
Chapter 12: Music Theater - Birthday Wishes
Projects for Grade 1
Chapter 13: Songwriting and Choral Music - Field Trip Song
Chapter 14: Composition and Visual Media - Background Music for Storytelling
Chapter 15: Instrumental Music - Duets with Two Sounds: A Musical Conversation
Chapter 16: Electronic Music and Digital Media - Sound Blocks and Patterns
Chapter 17: Music Theater - Making a "When I Grow Up, I Want to Be" SongProjects for Grade 2
Chapter 18: Songwriting and Choral Music- A Song for Grandparent's Day
Chapter 19:Composition and Visual Media - Exploring Leitmotif: The Mitten
Chapter 20: Instrumental Music - Chamber Music Trios
Chapter 21: Electronic Music and Digital Media - Terrific Textures
Chapter 22: Music Theater - Incidental Music for Puppet Theater
Appendix: Sketchpage Notation Templates
Index