Composing Variations on a Theme
| Grade | Work Samples |
|---|---|
| End of Stage 5 (end of Year 10) | |
| Grade A | Drew |
| Grade C | Ainsley |
- New Work Samples
- Bobby
Description of activity
Students compose an eight-bar theme and six variations in the classical style for the piano. They notate their composition using appropriate forms of notation and technology.
Context
Students have an understanding of classical style music and have analysed Six Small Variations by Friedrick Kuhlau (1786–1832). They have been improvising, composing and arranging musical ideas both individually and in groups, and have experience in using appropriate notation and technology to create and notate compositions. Students have done a lot of work using Finale Notepad and are generally quite competent with this program.
Areas for Assessment
Outcomes
A student:
5.4 demonstrates an understanding of the musical concepts through improvising, arranging and composing in the styles or genres of music selected for study
5.5 notates own compositions, applying forms of notation appropriate to the music selected for study
5.6 uses different forms of technology in the composition process
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- compose an eight-bar theme and six variations in the classical style for the piano
- create a score of their work using appropriate notation and technology
- select a variety of tone colours appropriate to their composition
- demonstrate an understanding of the roles of melody, harmony and structure in the compositional process.