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Course Description

This high school course teaches the fundamentals of music composition, covering melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. Students will explore various musical genres and styles, gaining hands-on experience in creating original music. The course includes lessons on music theory, listening exercises, and projects using music notation software. Students will collaborate on group compositions and share their work with peers. By the end of the course, students will have a foundational understanding of music composition and will have completed several original pieces. This course is ideal for those interested in music creation and further studies in music.

Course Details

Music Composition

Ninth Grade
Tenth Grade Eleventh Grade Twelfth Grade

Course Objectives

  • Learn the fundamentals of music composition, including melody, harmony, rhythm, and form.
  • Gain experience with music notation software and composition techniques.
  • Develop skills in analyzing musical works to understand composition elements.
  • Create original compositions and collaborate with peers on group projects.
  • Build confidence in presenting and performing original music.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to Music Composition

  • Overview of Music Composition
    • What is music composition?
    • Key components of composition: melody, harmony, rhythm, and form.
  • Basic Music Theory
    • Understanding musical scales, intervals, and chords.
    • Introduction to key signatures and time signatures.

Unit 2: Creating Melodies and Rhythms

  • Melody Creation
    • Techniques for composing engaging melodies.
    • Using motifs and thematic development.
  • Exploring Rhythms
    • Understanding rhythmic patterns and syncopation.
    • Composing rhythmic structures for various styles.

Unit 3: Harmony and Chord Progressions

  • Basics of Harmony
    • Building chords and common chord progressions.
    • Exploring harmony in different musical genres.
  • Composing with Harmony
    • Creating harmonic accompaniments for melodies.
    • Using harmony to add depth and texture to compositions.

Unit 4: Music Notation and Software Tools

  • Music Notation Software
    • Introduction to music notation software (e.g., Sibelius, MuseScore).
    • Creating simple compositions using software tools.
  • Writing and Arranging Music
    • Techniques for arranging music for different instruments.
    • Using notation software to write and arrange compositions.

Unit 5: Analyzing Musical Compositions

  • Analyzing Classical Compositions
    • Examining classical pieces to understand structure and form.
    • Identifying common compositional techniques in classical music.
  • Analyzing Contemporary Compositions
    • Exploring contemporary music and its compositional elements.
    • Analyzing how modern composers use electronic instruments and technology.

Unit 6: Collaborative Projects and Group Compositions

  • Group Composition Projects
    • Collaborative composition projects with peers.
    • Sharing and discussing group compositions in class.
  • Peer Review and Feedback
    • Providing constructive feedback on group compositions.
    • Incorporating feedback to improve compositions.

Unit 7: Final Composition Projects

  • Planning the Final Composition
    • Students create an outline for their final composition project.
    • Developing a timeline for composing, arranging, and refining the final piece.
  • Completing the Final Composition
    • Finalizing the composition and preparing for presentation.
    • Rehearsing and polishing the final piece.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have a foundational understanding of music composition and will have created several original compositions. They will have gained experience with music notation software, collaborative composition, and presenting their work. This course aims to build confidence in composing music and encourage further exploration of music as a creative and expressive medium.

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

Ms. Katy Francom

Katy Francom graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Master of Music Education. Prior to this she graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She has completed three levels of Kodály certification through Intermuse Academy at BYU. In addition to three years of teaching elementary music in Loveland, Colorado, she has 25 years of experience teaching private piano and voice lessons, and she has been the director of seven ward choirs! Katy has four amazing grown children and a wonderful extended family. She loves to read, garden, hike, and sing at the piano.