Composing

An effective composition course for young people contains at least three vital elements. First, it is essential for the composition activity to be based on opportunities for exploring sounds and patterns of sound; Second, there is a need for a well directed and progressive sequence of activities, linked to listening to examples from a wide range of composers from the past and present, from a variety of cultures, styles and genre; Third, pupils need the freedom to explore their newly aquired techniques, sometimes working by repeating musical cliché's and at other times freely breaking the 'rules' to try to find their own 'voice'.

The following ideas have been linked to the elements of music so that they can be used as part of a progressive skills-based curriculum.