Date
12-19-2024
Department
School of Music
Degree
Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)
Chair
Jerry Newman
Keywords
music composition, chorus, Kodaly, solfege, Takadimi, sixth-grade, spiral curriculum, MuseScore, pentatonic, pentatonic scale, Georgia, Dr. Krueger
Disciplines
Education | Fine Arts
Recommended Citation
Findley, Michaelyn Cortez, "Sixth Grade Music Composition Unit: A Second Semester Curriculum for Georgia’s Middle School Choral Students" (2024). Masters Theses. 1251.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1251
Abstract
This research presents a music composition curriculum unit designed for middle-school choral students in Georgia, aligned with the state's Standards of Excellence in Music. The unit emphasizes composing, revising, and integrating technology, with a focus on a spiral curriculum that builds upon students' prior knowledge. Key elements include solfege, Takadimi rhythms, call-and-response melodies, and folk songs, providing a comprehensive framework for learning. MuseScore, a music notation software, is used as the primary tool for students to develop and notate their compositions progressively.
The research identifies a gap in resources for teaching composition to choral students with existing musical knowledge and proposes a structured, spiral approach that incorporates solfege and Takadimi exercises to prepare students for composing. The study highlights the challenge of accommodating students with diverse skill levels, from those struggling with sight-singing to advanced learners, underscoring the importance of individualized instruction. Flexible strategies, such as simplifying melodies for struggling students or incorporating complex rhythms for advanced students, ensure all learners can engage in the composition process.
The curriculum builds on the foundational knowledge from the first semester, where students learned solfege, Takadimi rhythms, and folk songs through Kodály-inspired methods. With MuseScore, students have the opportunity to compose and digitally notate their music, fostering creativity and musical ownership. The spiral design ensures a continuous progression of skills, supporting students' growth before advancing to new concepts. This inclusive approach promotes audiation as a vital skill for musical literacy and encourages students' artistic expression.
The ultimate goal of this curriculum is to empower Georgia's middle-school choral students, not only by enhancing their confidence as musicians but also by developing their skills as composers. This unit offers choral directors a practical and beneficial resource for teaching composition, enhancing the overall choral experience and encouraging students to use their musical voice in innovative ways.
