We all know student engagement is at its peak when kids have novelty and variety in their lessons. Items to include in composition lessons are what I call "STUFF" (see Chapter 5 in "Music Composition - It's Elementary").  "Stuff" includes composition lessons utilizing dominoes, sticky notes, buttons, string, PVC pipes, mirrors, and playing cards, to name a few.  
Several Atlanta teachers shared some great lessons with me using the Sticky Notes idea (pg. 66 in "Music Composition - It's Elementary").  This is a great lesson to explain the concept of musical score.  The final product of sticky notes in score format has each instrument part outlined in a different color. Other activities could be as simple as one beat or one measure per sticky note.  The beauty of sticky notes lies in being able to move them around, rearrange rhythm patterns, etc.  

Share some of your success stories in the classroom with us.  First 10 blog posts will receive a FREE publication from me.

Next weekend I will be presenting at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at Utah State University, Logan.  On October 2nd and 3rd I will be teaching sessions in the museum to music and art teachers focusing on the creative integration of music and visual art components and how this translates into the creative process.  Applications in the classroom, techniques, strategies, inspirations and more will be discussed.  
See artmuseum.usu.edu for event schedule and current exhibitions.  
Looking forward to working with our current and future educators in the arts!

Please look for my session presentation on
Date: Thursday, October 29
Time: 10:30 AM
Room: Room I

Description: How do I teach composition? I never had composition instruction at college! I don’t compose! This session will provide a way forward through hands-on activities, ideas, inspiration and a “how to” guide for introducing or expanding composition in the classroom. Twentieth Century techniques, media poems, technology, graphic notation, soundscapes, triad-melody technique, Aleatoric music, video fun, iPads and more will be explored. 


Teachers, if you are in Wisconsin, please come and say hi! I would be happy to give you a FREE copy of one of my publications.  Looking forward to seeing you at conference.

Se the conference schedule at http://www.wmea.com/cmsproxy/58/files/WMEA15ConfBro_ff-LO.pdf

I am happy to share an upcoming event with our music composition teachers: 


Sandrine Arons, one of the contributing artists to my book "Music Paints My Picture" is presenting her work at an upcoming photographic exhibition in Atlanta.  If you're in the area, please check it out.  
I will be there - please introduce yourself!



H2M Studio/Tula Arts Center 
Featuring work by: Sandrine Arons, Rose M. Barron, Hastings Huggins, Alexandra Marrero
Opening Reception Sep 25 6:30- 9:30pm 

'I am' presents a collection of photographs inspired by that longtime question: Who am I? There are a myriad of ways to reflect on and present this question. The works by Sandrine Arons, Rose M. Barron, Hastings Huggins and Alexandra Marrero are explorations of this journey. They traverse different times, locations, moods and settings and portray personal celebrations, quests and examinations of and by the artists. They are introspective, atmospheric and unpredictable; asking us to question how we perceive and choose to represent ourselves.
H2M Studio/Tula Arts Center
Tula Arts Center, 75 Bennett St. NW, Suite H-2, Atlanta, GA 30309 - Google Maps
(404) 832-0763
Mon-Sat: 12-4:30pm
www.facebook.com/H2MPhotographyStudio

Hi teachers,
I have just been informed of a very exciting project by two teachers in Colorado.  I encourage you to check out this project at www.coloradocomposes.org
They will have a monthly online tutorial, connect teachers who are interested in teaching composition, video instruction, and connect with modern day composers.  I love their mission:
"Educate and encourage teachers and students to be more confident in the creation of music through composition"

I'm looking forward to teaching some of the sessions - hope to find you there!