1. Project Overview (Tour Project Website)
2. Listen to and watch samples of '07 Project    
3. Discuss the many ways of approaching composition. Lyrics First? Melody First? Chords First?
Composer's Project '07 Playlist

Composing for a large audience can be daunting. One of the goals of the Composer's Project is to make composition accessible to all students in the music program, regardless of their musicianship or previous experience in technology.

Students Composers can join at one of three levels. None of the levels indicate the potential for a piece to be performed at the concert. They are simply ways that students can creatively express themselves in song regardless of their musicianship or technical expertise.

Pick from one of these three options:
Levels Defined

1) Level 1: Inspiration
2) Level 2: Collaboration
3) Level 3: Motivation

 A chance for composers and lyricists within the choir and throughout the school to connect, network, etc.

This is for composers participating at Level 3.
Food provided by the Gunn Choir Boosters.
Composers Lunch RSVP 

At the start of the project, all students will be asked to add one paragraph describing their level of participation, and what type of song they are planning to write. A mid-way paragraph describing how it is going will be due at the end of April, and a final reflective paragraph due in December.

We will be offering tutorial sessions on how to use Finale Notepad, and Garage Band for students who need some basic technology training.

Finale Notepad, TBA  (http://www.finalemusic.com/notepad)
GarageBand, TBA

Click here for The Composing Phase Level 2: Collaboration

Click here for The Composing Phase: Level 3 Motivation

**Just for fun: Check out this recording of Raphael Bob-Waksberg's '07 submission and listen as his unaccompanied recording segues into the '07 concert performance Home for Hannukah, Submission and Performance recording. Or try David Brown and the Concert Choir Men in this video clip of Dave Deggeller's show stopping The Elf Next Door

Although the project does not emphasize musicianship as a requirement for writing a song (just as being able to read does not necessarily make one a great storyteller!), knowledge of music theory can only help you as you move through this project. Organized at this site (Musicianship Web Resources) are a list of websites on a whole bunch of important theory subjects: Note Reading, Rhythm Reading, Major Scales, Minor Scales, Melody Writing, Form and Structure).

Composition, like any form of creating art, should be a process, not a single moment of inspiration, but an inspired idea that is then thought through, developed and crafted. Students are strongly encouraged to share their work along the process. Share it with a friend, with Mr. Liberatore, with your private music teacher or a friend or relative whose opinion you trust. Revisions are an important part of bringing any piece to it's full potential.

Level One students are submitting digital recordings. Level one students may specify if they want their piece posted online, or if they want their piece to be considered for further arrangement and performance on June 6, 2010.

Level Two students are collaborating on Finale Notepad files, and posting their final documents at the Composer's Project Site. Level Two participants are encouraged to post recordings online as well, and should also specify if they are submitting their piece for further arrangement and possible performance consideration.

Level Three students can submit their final work in any format...finale files, recordings or hand written documents.

Pieces selected for the rehearsal and performance stage will be announced by May 26, 2010.

June 6, 2010,  7:00 PM, Spangenberg Theatre, Gunn High School.