Composing Together
Classroom clinics and residencies for grades 2-12. Fun, exciting, and enthusiastic activities that conform to the National Performing Arts Guidelines and develop aesthetic analysis, musical vocabulary, and creativity with composition basics. The final collaborative composition is performable by student ensembles, visiting professional players, or on computer as MIDI and mp3 files, to accommodate the needs of the school program.
Every student contributes as they are led through the composition process with simple questions. Each student answers a question in turn, like, “what meter shall we be in? (or how many beats go together) what tempo is our piece? (how fast is it) who will play our melody?” The vocabulary and questions are adapted to the level of the class. For instance, a typical middle school orchestra group will select a unique scale by each student picking a pitch, rather than studying modes first. This allows students to experiment with modernistic expression through unusual harmonies and builds theoretical understanding through experiential play.
del sol-ate for lunchThe Del Sol Quartet performs What I Ate for Lunch by members of the Martin Luther King Middle School Orchestra, Berkeley 2008
Composing Together with Katrina Wreede and the Del Sol Quartet
Composing Together is available as a joint residency with the Del Sol String Quartet. This semester-long multi-visit project for middle school and high school music programs and non-music classes draws students out in small groups of 8-12 so that teachers can continue their regular class work. The young composers work with Katrina Wreede using simple graphic notation and easily understandable and manipulatable musical concepts like pitch, duration, and timbre to write compositions for the renowned Del Sol String Quartet. The project consists of one demonstration concert by the Del Sol Quartet, three composer visits with Katrina Wreede (per group), a reading session with Del Sol, and a final concert plus CD recordings of the final compositions.
The program can be adapted to fit school schedules, special needs classes, can emphasize musical elements based on teacher’s request, and always conform to the National Guidelines for Performing Arts for the age and grade level.
del sol-carnivalThe Del Sol Quartet performs Carnival by members of the Washington High School Orchestra, San Francisco 2008-9
For School Music Programs
Composing Together is available as a one-time visit, 2-5 day intensive, to semester-long regular visits for entire classes or small groups. Perfect for keeping advanced students motivated and less enthusiastic students intrigued. Often students will work in groups of 8-12, but it is possible to present a program for an entire class of up to 60 students.
Variationdel sol-blooming flowersMIDI version of Nora G.’s Variation on a Landler by Schubert, Bronxville, NY 2007
Blooming Flowers by members of the Washington High School String Orchestra, San Francisco 2008-9
For Special Education and Non-Musician Programs
“Katie’s presentation was unique and delightful. Through a process of asking questions and making decisions, the students, with no prior musical training, discovered how rhythm, pitch, texture, and tempo can express shades of feeling. It was exciting to see them start with a poem and end up with a musical composition with corresponding shapes and sounds.”
Breakfast Chorus DemoGael Alcock, cellist and teacher
New Worldnon-musicians create a “Breakfast Chorus” using their breakfasts to create rhythmic motifs
Computer-generated MIDI orchestra performs work by Hercules High School Special Ed students
Composing Together has been very successful with high school special education programs, offering musical creativity to students who are often unable to participate in traditional music programs. Composing Together workshops can also bring student performers and special education “composers” together for reading sessions and concerts of the new works. It is especially wonderful when non-musician students have the opportunity to be the “composer boss” with a professional ensemble. They learn to express their most intangible concepts and work together to make the best version of their piece.