Music

= MUSIC =

** Technology **

 * iMac Computer for Group Use
 * GarageBand 09’ Music Application
 * Gmail email account for project submission

Analyzing and Responding > Benchmark A: Reflect on and describe how music performance and settings affect audience response
 * Benchmark C: Apply appropriate criteria to support personal preferences for music choice and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of a music performance.
 * Valuing Music/Aesthetic Reflection

This project combines poetry with creative instrumental expression. Working in groups, students will choose one of 10 short poems to creatively express mood through music. Using Apple’s GarageBand ’09, students will create a 30 second instrumental song which expresses the mood that is provoked through the poem. With access to over 100 realistic software instruments, students will record notes using the computer keyboard, and arrange them on a timeline. Their short song must contain at least five different musical instruments. After students have completed their recordings, they will save them as MP3 files to submit to the teacher. Groups will then read their poem to the class and explain in detail the mood that they feel is provoked. They will then play their song to the class and will explain why they selected the various instruments were used in the song. This activity allows students, regardless of their ability to play musical instruments, to be able to apply their creativity to compose a collaborative, rhythmic song to convey a story.

Image Retrieved From: [] **Supporting Research**
The article, “Creativity, originality, identity: investigating computer-based composition in the secondary school,” investigates computer-based music composition with secondary school students, and it’s ‘ability to generate enthusiasm and ability with structure.’ The article also reports on the role of computer-based composition in contributing to developing ‘creative thinking skills’ in music education. This study also explores the students’ own feedback in order to gain an understanding of how they develop perceptions of their creativity and personal identities as musicians through music technology.

Mellor, L. (2008). Creativity, originality, identity: investigating computer-based composition in the secondary school. Music Education Research//,// 10//,// 451-472.

** Tried & True or New & Innovative **
This project of creating computer-generated musical composition within an educational setting would be described as a New & Innovative use of technology.