Area of concentration - High school band
 
TIME: 4 to 6 weeks: this would not use a lot of in-class time; students will work in self-selected groups of 4 to 6 members
 
AIM: The students will develop an understanding of music history.

GOAL: The students will learn about a composer of their choice.

OBJECTIVES:

• Cognitive - The students will be able to discuss the life of their composer in terms of important musical periods in the composer's life. The students will also be able to discuss some interesting stories about their composer; these don't have to be directly related to the composer's music. In addition, the students will know specific works by their composer and musical traits specific to that composer.

• Affective - The students will choose one piece each by their composer, about which they feel strongly one way or another, to present to the class. The presentation will include a sample recording of the piece and the students will be expected to present their position with clear and well-thought-out arguments.
   
• Physical - Each group will be expected to produce either a pamphlet, video, poster/picture display, an original composition, etc. that somehow captures at least one important aspect of the composer's life.

PROJECTS

Each group of students will have the opportunity to choose one project based on nothing more than the group's preference. This assignment is intended to allow the students a generous amount of freedom in selecting and completing the task. Students will be encouraged to be as creative as possible with this assignment and the groups are not limited to the list below, however, anything not listed below will require teacher approval.

CONCRETE RANDOM

VIDEO: This should be entirely student produced and should chronicle the composer's life or focus on one period. The students would have to write and act in this themselves. The video should address the composer's music, lifestyle and personal life. Students will need access to a video camera, a video tape, a VCR and a monitor. There is no time limit, but the video should cover enough material to fulfill the previously stated requirements.

Criteria:

The completed project must be turned in on a VHS video tape.

The video must cover the composer's music, lifestyle and personal life.

The video will be presented to the class.

ABSTRACT RANDOM

ORIGINAL COMPOSITION: This will be written by the students and should depict at least one aspect of the composer's music or life. The students can either perform this themselves for the class or have a computer program (i.e. Vision or Finale) perform and record the piece with appropriate instrument sounds. The students will be required to turn a copy of the score printed on the computer. This will require student access to computers equipped with music publishing software. There is no minimum length requirement, but the piece should meet the previously stated requirements.
 
Criteria:

The finished project must be presented to the class either live or via audio tape.

A computer printed score (i.e. Finale) is required.
 
CONCRETE SEQUENTIAL
 
POSTER/PICTURE PRESENTATION: This will consist of a series of posters that combine words and pictures to portray the composer's life and music. Facts, stories, a list of works, life timeline, teachers, schools, family, etc. can be used. These should be presented in a professional manner so that there are no hand written posters. Everything should be typed or word-processed and then placed on the posters. This will be presented to the class and remain on display for the remainder of the semester. Students will need tag board, a computer with graphic and word processing capabilities and tape or glue.
 
Criteria:

Any words used on the posters will be either typed or printed on a computer.

The final product should cover at least three different aspects of the composers life (only one per poster).

These will be presented to the class and then left on display for an amount of time to be decided at a later date.
 
ABSTRACT SEQUENTIAL
 
PAMPHLET: These requirements are similar to the poster project, but the information will be compiled into a pamphlet that can be handed out to the students in the class as well as to those who attend a future band concert. The pamphlet should include a brief biography, pictures, stories, list of works, etc. The primary difference is that the pamphlet will focus on a comparison of the composer and one of his or her contemporaries. The pamphlet should also be professional in appearance and should be typed or word processed. There is no minimum length, but important information should not be sacrificed. Students will need access to computers with graphic and word-processing capabilities and copy machines.
 
Criteria:

The finished product will be word-processed or produced with a desktop publishing program.

These should be appropriate for distribution outside of the school. Good discretion on the students' part should produce excellent material.

The pamphlet should focus on a comparison of the featured composer and one of his or her contemporaries.

The pamphlet should incorporate at least one picture of the featured composer.

The group will present its finished pamphlet to the class.
 
EVALUATION

The students will be graded on whether they have met the basic criteria listed for the corresponding project. This project is intended to create motivation and foster creativity in the student through discovery/research. The project concepts are  not designed to measure a student's knowledge of dates and fine details.