Composition 4
Composition 4 - Theme and Variation
Objectives:
*Compose and arrange within specified guidelines
*Demonstrate knowledge of musicianship fundamentals to vary the
original theme
*Demonstrate knowledge of music writing software to complete
the electronic composition
*Demonstrate knowledge of Theme and Variation form to write
their composition
*Demonstrate knowledge of phrase form and period structure
*Use proper terminology to discuss compositional techniques and goals
Procedures:
Step 1. Listen to several examples of pieces written in theme and variation form and review the details of theme and variation form.
Details of Theme and Variation form:
Examples:
*Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star-Mozart
*Variations on America - Charles Ives, US Marine Band
Listen to the Ives Variations -
*Four "Amazing Grace" Variations - Ben Bown King on Guitar
Listen to the Variations -
*Piano Sonata No. 23 in f minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata"-Beethoven
Listen to Mvt. 1 in Theme and Variations form-
Step 2: Choose one of the following Traditional songs as your theme.Get the notation off of Mrs. Leckey when you are ready to start composing. You will need to record it into Garageband, Finale, or Reason. Ask Mrs. Leckey for help playing it into the software if you are unable to do it yourself.
| The Wheels on the Bus | Bingo | Turkey in the Straw |
| Lightly Row | Skip to My Lou | I've Been Working on the Railroad |
| The Ghost of Tom | Amazing Grace | Old MacDonald Had a Farm |
| Oh, When the Saints | Ode to Joy | Frere Jacques |
| Hot Cross Buns | Jingle Bells | Mary Had a Little Lamb |
| Mexican Hat Dance | London Bridge | Row, Row, Row Your Boat |
| Rain, Rain, Go Away | Yankee Doodle | Jolly Old Saint Nicholas |
| Mary Had Little Lamb | Twinkle, Twinkle Star | Go Tell It On The Mountain |
Step 3: Complete the pre-writing activity - Pre-writing Activity
Step 4: Use the melody you were given to create and original composition. The melody is a starting point. You can change the tempo, make minor rhythmic changes, or change the style of the melody, but you must keep the harmonic and melodic structure in place. The original song is the theme and you need to create 3-5 variations on that melody. Be creative....the options are endless. Review the links and examples above to help you get ideas. Review the requirements at the bottom of the page to make sure you include everything!!!
Step 5: Have 5 different people listen to your composition during the writing process.
Step 6: When you are finished composing, convert your composition to an mp3 file and put the mp3 and the original file in the NASH-ART-MUSIC folder.
Step 7: Complete the evaluation of your composition - Evaluation
Requirements - 300 Total Points
*Composition is in Theme and Variation form- 50 points
*The composition contains 3-5 variations in addition to the main theme 25 points
*Balance and Blend...the melody should be carefully treated when combined with an accompaniment. Make sure the most important musical idea during each section of the piece is brought out sensitively and musically. - 50 points
*Creativity...the variations are well thought out and creative. The use of various theme and variation compositional techniques mentioned above are present - 100 points
*The composition needs to be musically effective. Was there a clear musical goal throughout the composition? - 75 points
Composition 4
20th Century Classical Music Composition
Due: May 17th - Turn in Composition, mp3, upload it to YoSoy, complete online evaluation
Background
The 20th Centory is also known as the Age of Technology. 20th Century Music took full advantage of new technologies as they became available. Not constricted by rules of the classical period, composers had the stylistic freedom to write however they pleased. 20th century classical music was extremely varied and thus there was no dominant style. However, a salient feature in classical music during this period was the increased use of dissonance.
The purpose of this composition is to stretch your musicality and technical skills. This is meant to be an electronic music composition that incorporates live instruments. When using electronic instruments, use them for what they are worth: Looping, sound distortion, unusual sound effects. There are only a few requirements for this composition:
- You must use speech - You can read, sing, chant, use distorted sound, etc... You may use original lyrics or lyrics from a poem or story.
- You must use the ipods in some capacity. They can be used as a real instrument with garageband and then as a live instrument for the final performance. Why the ipod? - Click Here for youtube or Dropio
- You music have at least one live instrument. It can be the ipod or an acoustic instrument.
- Ideal ensemble for this piece: Computer background music, 1+ ipod, 1+ live instrument, spoken text.
Example #1 - Einstein on the Beach - Philip Glass
- An Opera in four acts for ensemble, chorus, and soloists
- Music & Lyrics: Philip Glass
- Design & Direction: Robert Wilson.
- Performed by The Philip Glass Ensemble
- Michael Riesman: musical director, keyboards
Philip Glass - Story of Einstein on the Beach
Recording of the piece- Einstein on the Beach
Philip Glass Website - Click Here
Video of Einstein on the Beach - Click Here
Philip Glass Ensemble - "Train/Spaceship" Part 2 or Video on Dropio
Example #2 - Steve Reich - It's Gonna Rain
- Steve Reich Website - Click Here for biography and composition list
- "It's Gonna Rain" is a musical composition for magnetic tape written by Steve Reich in 1965; the work is approximately 17 minutes and 50 seconds in length. It was Reich's first major work and a landmark in musical minimalism and process music.
- The source material of "It's Gonna Rain" consists entirely of a tape recording made in 1964 at San Francisco's Union Square. In the recording, an African American Pentecostal preacher, Brother Walter, rails about the end of the world, while accompanying background noises, including the sound of a pigeon taking flight, are heard. The piece opens with the story of Noah, and the phrase "it's gonna rain" is repeated and eventually looped throughout the piece.
Background of the piece - Click here - start at 2:15
Listen to It's Gonna Rain
Example #3 - John Adams - Christian Zeal and Activity
- John Adams is a contemporary American composer, best known for his fusion of minimalism and neoclassicism. His use of driving rhythms and colorful use of the orchestral timbres have earned him a place as one of the most admired and performed composers of the last twenty years. One of his most recent pieces, On The Transmigration of Souls, commissioned by the New York Philharmonic to comemmorate the victims of the 9/11 tragedy, won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize.
- Christian Zeal and Activity is from Adams's early period of composition, from the mid 1970's. It is constructed of a simple chorale-like chordal structure played by strings and a sparse woodwind section. A series of suspensions delays resolution of the harmonies until the very end of the piece, with only a few authentic cadences throughout the piece. The unique aleatoric element of Zeal is what really makes the piece special. The conductor is directed to place "sonic found objects" into the composition. Edo De Waart, conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra spliced and looped a recording of a 1971 sermon into the piece, using an archaic DJ effect to draw even more emotion from the pastor's words and from the music itself. At just over 10 mintues in length, listening to the piece takes patience, but I promise it is worth your time and concentration.
Listen to Christian Zeal -
John Adams on Pop Culture - Click Here
Electronic Ensembles
- University of Michigan iphone concert - YouTube Video or Dropio
- Guitar Ensemble - Youtube Video
- Stairway to Heaven on the ipods using Ocarina - YouTube Video or Dropio
