Composition Assigments

Throughout the year high school orchestra students will be required to create compositions as part of their overall orchestra grade. Compositions will have assigned requirements such as "Make sure the composition is in the key of G major." or "Be sure to use at least two accents, three slurs, and 5 staccato marks." To get an A you must fulfill these requirements. Once you have fulfilled the compositional requirements the rest is up to the student. Bonus points for clever lyrics.

All composition projects are composed using https://flat.io/dashboard

You need to create an account with Flat.io in order to send me you finished compositions within Flat.io.

Join HMTCA Orchestra class on Flat.io by following this link https://hmtca.flat.io/class/enroll?enrollcode=uyecnc or use this code to join the class UYECNC

Inspiration to help composing can be drawn from a number of different resources. You can use any one of the String Explorer, Bach and Before, Orchestra Music, or Suzuki books to help you when composing a piece. Inside of these books you can famous simplified themes like “Ode to Joy”, “Simple Gifts”, “America the Beautiful” but don’t plagiarize the melodies! Modify them enough so that you wouldn’t lose a copyright battle in court. Blurred Lines vs. Marvin Gaye.or Ed Sheerhan vs. Marvin Gaye and more examples here

Due Feb. 14th

Write a Waltz

Throughout your time in the HMTCA orchestras it is very likely you have played a Waltz(Emperor Waltz or Skater’s Waltz). Waltzes are a traditional form of dance music predominantly from Austria. Johann Strauss II is most famous for writing Waltzes and is known as “The Waltz King”. Probably his most famous is The Blue Danube which you will recognize because it is in that intellectually stimulating film I show at the end of every year in middle school, Heavyweights. Waltzes have many very specific characteristics about them you will need to follow.

Requirements of this composition:

-Needs to begin with a slow introduction followed by something that resembles ABA form and ends with a Coda. So your piece should be Intro, A sections, B section, A section(exactly the same as the first A, and then a Coda.

-Must be in 3/4 time

-Must be written for 3 instruments(you can write for 3 violins or 3 violas or whatever 3 instruments you’d like). This sounds much harder than you think. Waltzes need to have the traditional “oom, pa, pa, oom, pa, pa…” with the “oom” in the bass and the “pa, pa” in the middle instrument. The bass will only play the bass note, the “pa pa” will play a harmony note or octave in relation to the bass.

-The melody should contain many slurs and generally be legato

-8th or 16th note scales that lead into new phrases or sections

-dynamics

-the bass and harmony(or "omm pa pa") instruments should have many staccatos

-must be in F major

-Must be 24-32 measures long(at least 8 of these should be your introduction)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CTYymbbEL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Las6RXJKTLE

October 29th

Shhhhhhhhh… Don’t disturb the Hassquatch.

On a cold autumn night in the wilds of Hartford lives a legend half-man, half-beast, half-orchestra director. This mythical being roams the nights howling Bach Chorale No. 6 while feasting off the mistakes of SmartMusic assignments. The legend of Hassquatch lives! And now you must write a theme song to accompany him!

-This piece must be in E minor.

-This piece must be at least 16 measures long.

-The melody of this piece needs to be written for an instrument you do not play.(I suggest you write the melody with your instrument and then have someone help you switch it to a different clef instrument.)

-This composition should also include:

• Dynamics
• 16th notes
• A fermata
• A half rest
• tremolos
• glissandos

*Extra credit for clever lyrics!

Due September 28th:

Nursery Rhyme Composition:

Create a composition that children could sing and play. Isolates one aspect of playing your instrument. This is a very open assignment. The emphasis could be on intonation, tone quality, phrasing, playing in a scale pattern, playing softly or loud. Keep it simple

-This composition’s key signature should be in the key of C major/A minor

-The time signature should be 6/8(try using a quarter note followed by an 8th note.)

-a minimum of 10 measures

-dynamic markings, bow stroke markings, tempo markings, are all encouraged but not mandatory.

**Extra credit for clever lyrics!

Due June 1st

Compose for your favorite animal

This composition should audibly bring to life your favorite animal or the environment in which your favorite animal resides (ocean, jungle, desert, etc.). Take inspiration from compositions such as Peter and the Wolf or Disney’s Fantasia (the old one is better). If you don’t have a favorite animal (that is lame and you should get one), you can use mine: the narwhal. Try to embody what your favorite animal’s theme song would sound like. Make sure you follow the below requirements.

Requirements for your animalistic composition are:

• 16-24 measures
• 3/4 or 4/4 time
• Tempo marking (for example: quarter note = 50 [slow], quarter note = 120 [fast], etc.)
• Dynamics
• A whole note and 16th notes
• Use tremolo, trills and/or Bartok pizzicato (snap pizz)
• In D Major or D Minor

Due March 31st

Theme and Variations

This composition will require you to write an 8 measure theme and two variations on that theme.

Write a simple theme for one instrument that is 8 measures long(You could use a theme from Romeo and Juliet or a simple song). Then write a slight variation to that theme that is also 8 measures. Write one more variation that is 8 measures. The variations only need to be slightly different then the original theme.

The theme and variations should also include:

-21 measures in total.

-16th notes

-8th rests

-accents, a tenuto, a staccato marking

-down bow and up bow symbols

-at least one slur

-Italian tempo terms(Allegro, Adagio, Largo, Vivace…)

-dynamics

-In the key of G major or G minor

Due Feb. 22nd

Write a Waltz

Throughout your time in the HMTCA orchestras it is very likely you have played a Waltz(Emperor Waltz or Skater’s Waltz). Waltzes are a traditional form of dance music predominantly from Austria. Johann Strauss II is most famous for writing Waltzes and is known as “The Waltz King”. Probably his most famous is The Blue Danube which you will recognize because it is in that intellectually stimulating film I show at the end of every year in middle school, Heavyweights. Waltzes have many very specific characteristics about them you will need to follow.

Requirements of this composition:

-Needs to begin with a slow introduction followed by something that resembles ABA form and ends with a Coda. So your piece should be Intro, A sections, B section, A section(exactly the same as the first A, and then a Coda.

-Must be in 3/4 time

-Must be written for 3 instruments(you can write for 3 violins or 3 violas or whatever 3 instruments you’d like). This sounds much harder than you think. Waltzes need to have the traditional “oom, pa, pa, oom, pa, pa…” with the “oom” in the bass and the “pa, pa” in the middle instrument. The bass will only play the bass note, the “pa pa” will play a harmony note or octave in relation to the bass.

-The melody should contain many slurs and generally be legato

-the bass and harmony instruments should have many staccatos

-must be in F major

-Must be 24-32 measures long(at least 8 of these should be your introduction)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CTYymbbEL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Las6RXJKTLE

Due February 4th

Write an Overture

This spring we will play Rossi’s The Overutre to Nabucco and we have already played Mozart’s Overture from the Abuduction from the Seraglio. You will now write an overture to a real or imagined piece of music or art. More contemporary overtures that you can use as examples would be the beginning of Star Wars, the opening to a James Bond (I like this one better)movie or Deadpool if you prefer. Before you start, choose something to write an overture about. I give you a wide An overture should prepare the listener by hinting at what type of music or art they will soon see. Listen to the above examples before starting!

Requirements of this composition:

-This composition should be named “Overture to ____________”

-Your overture will contain a slow Adagio section to begin followed by a more lively Presto section. This means this composition will be a longer than usual assignment.

-Must be 24-32 measures(roughly 8 of these should be the opening followed by the fast section)

-You must write for two different instruments, a melody and bass instrument. Keep it simple by making the bass part mostly whole notes in the slow section. When you get to the fast section the bass part should primarily be 8th notes.

-Must be in Bb or Eb major

-Must have distinct chordal movement in the bass.

-Must have several different articulations notated

-Must have dramatically contrasting dynamics

-Must have a cezura between the slow and fast sections.

-Must use a hooked bow

Due December 1st

Turkey Time

Create a composition that a Turkey would enjoy. Make sure to include the following criteria within your composition. If you have questions ask during class.

This composition needs:

-the key of Bb major(use notes in the Bb major arpeggio)

-in 9/8 time

-a minimum of 12 measures

-16th notes

-a whole note

-several dynamics

-an Italian tempo term used to describe the speed of a piece

-a fermata and an “a tempo” after

-a form, don’t be afraid to repeat measures!

Upperclassmen requirements:

-must use at least two instruments

Due: October 26th

Compose a simple piece.

Before you complete the following music theory lessons to help you fulfill the requirements of this composition.

Complete all the lessons under “The Basics” at the website https://www.musictheory.net/lessons

And this one on Key Signatures https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/24

Use the below website which talks about how to compose a simple piece as inspiration.

http://www.bsmny.org/exploring-music/features/practical-guides/a-beginners-guide-to-composing/

Use your instrument to help you too!

9th grade Freshman requirements of this piece:

• -Must be at least 16 measures long
• -Must be in the Key of G Major
• -Must be in 4/4 time
• -Must have dynamics such as "piano" and "forte"
• Must have at least 4 accents
• -Must have a glissando
• -Must have a syncopation(look in Violet's Tango)
• -Must write the melody line using the instrument you play in orchestra
• -Be sure your piece has a short and simple motif(follow the directions on the BSM website. Start by playing through potential motifs on your instrument)
• -Make sure your piece has a distinct simple form. This form could be A B A. You can use a more complicated form but you must be able to explain and show that form.
• --clever lyrics to your melody for bonus points!

10th, 11th, and 12th grade requirements are all of the above plus what's below:

• You need to clearly use notes in a given chord but you may use other "passing" notes that aren't in a chord(G, B, D for G major chord, C, E, G for C major chord, always the 1st 3rd and 5th notes in a scale.)
• You must write a simple bass part with your melody. The bass part can be for any instrument. The bass part must contain notes that are not "overly dissonant" against the melody.
• -You must be able to play or sing the melody of your piece!(Don't put a billion 32nd notes in the melody)
• --clever lyrics to your melody for bonus points!

Due October 6th:

Warm-up composition:

Create a composition that isolates one aspect of playing your instrument. This is a very open assignment. The emphasis could be on intonation, tone quality, phrasing, playing in a scale pattern, playing softly or loud.

-This composition’s key signature should be in the key of C major/A minor

-The time signature should be 4/4. 2/4, or 6/8

-a minimum of 10 measures

-dynamic markings, bow stroke markings, tempo markings, are all encouraged but not mandatory.

Upon completing your composition write a paragraph describing what aspect of playing the composition emphasizes. Make sure you can play and explain your composition.

After creating your composition write a small paragraph describing what aspect of playing your composition .

Orchestra Final

Please fulfill the below requirements before class ends on Monday 6/11.

You only need to compose for one instrument and you can pick the instrument.

- At least 12 measures long

- In the key of Bb major(must use notes in the Bb major arpeggio for a large portion of the piece)

- In a time signature that is NOT 4/4

- a fermata

- an "a tempo"

- an Italian tempo term at the beginning of the piece that describes the speed of the piece.

- dynamics

- a tremolo

- a hooked bow

- at least one staccato mark

- some 16th notes

- a syncopated rhythm

Cleverness is always appreciated but not necessary in this composition. Make sure you include all the above requirements to receive full credit. The paragraph is half of you final grade.

Due Sept. 14th

Create a Flat.io account https://flat.io/dashboard . Sign up for HMTCA orchestra class by clicking this link or entering this code ncwfuyr. Create a new composition. Put in some notes and see how the program works. Complete anything by the due date and you will receive full credit for the assignment.