Composition Concepts for Band and Orchestra

Incorporating Creativity in Ensemble Settings

Alexander Koops and John L. Whitener

This book is intended to introduce concepts about music composition to band and orchestra students of all ages and engage them in actual creative composing projects. The National Core Arts Standards (2014) emphasize that students should be engaged in the “creative practices of imagination, investigation, construction, and reflection in multiple contexts.” These lesson plans attempt to accomplish that challenge in the context of large group band and orchestra ensemble classes using composition activities and projects.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

Pages: 172 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9

978-1-4758-4890-8 • Hardback • April 2020 • $82.00 • (£63.00)

978-1-4758-4891-5 • Paperback • April 2020 • $41.00 • (£35.00)

978-1-4758-4892-2 • eBook • April 2020 • $39.00 • (£30.00)

Subjects: Music / Instruction & Study / Composition, Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General, Music / Instruction & Study / General, Music / Instruction & Study / Exercises

Composition Concepts for Band and Orchestra

Incorporating Creativity in Ensemble Settings

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

This book is intended to introduce concepts about music composition to band and orchestra students of all ages and engage them in actual creative composing projects. The National Core Arts Standards (2014) emphasize that students should be engaged in the “creative practices of imagination, investigation, construction, and reflection in multiple contexts.” These lesson plans attempt to accomplish that challenge in the context of large group band and orchestra ensemble classes using composition activities and projects.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

Pages: 172 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9

978-1-4758-4890-8 • Hardback • April 2020 • $82.00 • (£63.00)

978-1-4758-4891-5 • Paperback • April 2020 • $41.00 • (£35.00)

978-1-4758-4892-2 • eBook • April 2020 • $39.00 • (£30.00)

Subjects: Music / Instruction & Study / Composition, Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General, Music / Instruction & Study / General, Music / Instruction & Study / Exercises

Author

Dr. Alexander Koops is an Associate professor of music at Azusa Pacific University, Director of the Azusa Conservatory Community Music School, Fulbright Scholar, and recipient of the CMEA John Swain music education award. He regularly adjudicates and clinics middle school and high school bands and orchestras, leads composition workshops and professional development, and is a published author.

Dr. John Whitener is an Associate Professor of Music at California State University Northridge where he teaches music education courses in addition to teaching middle school band at Jordan Middle School, Burbank, and working as a professional composer. He has received numerous teaching awards including the Bravo! Award given by the Los Angeles Music Center for teaching excellence in Music Education and the Outstanding Music Educator of the Year for CMEA, Southern California Division.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction: How to use this book

Chapter 1: Soundscapes

Teacher Guide: Lesson 1. Soundscapes

Student Worksheet: Lesson 1. Soundscapes

Teacher Guide: Lesson 1. Soundscapes: Supplemental Materials

Chapter 2: Timbre
Teacher Guide: Lesson 2. Timbre

Student Worksheet: Lesson 2. Timbre
Teacher Guide: Lesson 2. Timbre: Supplementary Materials

Chapter 3: Rhythm

Teacher Guide: Lesson 3. Rhythm

Student Worksheet: Lesson 3. Rhythm
Student Worksheet: Lesson 3. Rhythm

Teacher Guide: Lesson 3. Rhythm: Supplementary Materials

Student Test 1. Lessons 1-3: Soundscapes, Timbre, Rhythm Teacher Answer Key: Student Test 1. Lessons 1-3Chapter 4: Melody
Teacher Guide: Lesson 4. Melody

Student Worksheet: Lesson 4. Melody (Orchestra Version)

Student Worksheet: Lesson 4. Melody (Band Version)

Teacher Guide: Lesson 4. Melody: Supplementary Materials

Chapter 5: Ostinato
Teacher Guide: Lesson 5. Ostinato

Student Work Sheet: Lesson 5. Ostinato

Teacher Guide: Lesson 5: Ostinato: Supplemental Materials

Chapter 6: Textures
Teacher Guide: Lesson 6. Texture

Student Worksheet: Lesson 6. Texture

Teacher Guide: Lesson 6. Texture: Supplemental Materials

Test 2. Lesson 4-6: Melody, Ostinato, TextureTEACHER ANSWER KEY Test 2. Lesson 4-6: Ostinato, Texture, and MelodyChapter 7: Words into Music
Teacher Guide: Lesson 7. Text based composing

Student Worksheet: Lesson 7. Text based composing
Teacher Guide: Lesson 7: Text based composing: Supplemental Materials

Chapter 8: Harmony
Teacher Guide: Lesson 8. Harmony

Student Guide: Lesson 8. Harmony – Orchestra Version

Student Guide: Lesson 8. Harmony – Band Version

Teacher Guide: Lesson 8. Harmony: Supplemental Materials

Chapter 9: Form
Teacher Guide: Lesson 9. Form

Student Guide: Lesson 9. Form

Teacher Guide: Lesson 9. Form: Supplemental Materials

Chapter 10: Final Composition
Teacher Guide: Lesson 10. Final Composition

Student Work Sheet: Lesson 10. Final Composition Project
Teacher Guide: Lesson 10 Final Composition Supplemental Materials

Test 3. Lessons 7-10Melody, Harmony, Form

Teacher Answer Key Test 3. Lessons 7-10Appendix 1 Dynamics and Articulation ChartsAppendix 2 GlossaryAppendix 3 Sample Evaluation Form for Student CompositionsAppendix 4: Creative Warmups for band
Appendix 5: Recommended Resources

Reviews

Effectively, Composition concepts for band and orchestra: Incorporating creativity in ensemble settings written by Alexander Koops and John Whitener, begins with listening for silence. Elements of found objects, body percussion, and a variety of repertoire lists are present in lesson plans from the beginning of the text and move educators and students through details of instruments, clefs, and imagination. Teacher guides, coupled with lesson plans, are focused toward different aspects of grade level and consider student interest. Clearly presented are advanced options supporting highly engaged students as well as beginning options for both teachers and students. Listening options, assessment rubrics, and opportunities for deeper learning through activities supporting musicianship include glossaries, improvisation, and real life skits. All are layered with concepts such as tension and resolution and integrated for student learning. While the title appears to focus the reader toward creativity,the creative act is a focus of composing with young people (the word "children" is not found here and three references to "choral"). This is a text not to be missed and may be used with any ensemble, in foundational learning, universities, or K-12 classrooms in any variety of creative ways. Expect Composition concepts for band and orchestra to transform your teaching.
— Lisa A. Crawford, CMEA State Council: Creativity and Composition Rep, UCLA Geffin Academy

As all great teachers know, the best way to introduce any subject to students is by making it fun and interesting. Koops and Whitener's composition method does both in a result-driven way that will peak the interest of students of all levels.
— Richard Meyer, award-winning composer and conductor, Pasadena Arts Council Gold Crown Award for Performing Arts

This book should be in the possession of every teacher and teachers teaching teachers engaged in the delivery of musical experiences for any age and circumstance. It is not a detached theoretical scrutiny of creative musical processes but a practical hands-on guide to inclusive very clear no-nonsense creative thinking that can and should be applied to all class and ensemble contact. The book doesn't posture or pontificate about creativity and it's very pertinent and real existence in the lives of all of us, were we to look, but opens the door and leads us through aspirational possibilities exemplifying points of departure and means of sustaining the journey keeping our daily work alive and kicking! It's a fabulous resource for all of us, composers, conductors, teachers, players and anyone out there with a wish to engage and make a difference in this world where the arts help deliver a fully aware, open and communicative member of society! Bravo all...and thank you!
— Bill Connor, Professional Film Composer, Executive committee for British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles