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 Janice P. Smith bring over 50 years of experience in music composition research and pedagogy to the creation of the Experiencing Music Composition approach. As authors, editors, clinicians, and workshop leaders, they have worked with educators throughout the United States and abroad to expand the compositional opportunities available to K-12 students and their teachers.
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
