Student composition

I believe in the well rounded music student–one that can read music, understand music theory, transpose, harmonize, and compose.  Yes compose!  Many of my students see composition as a terribly difficult task until they actually sit down and do it.  It is a wonderful way to integrate theory skills and performance skills–after all, they have to compose something that they can play!

Below is an assignment that I had one of my students do.  We’ve been studying the waltz pattern, and she has played several waltzes in the past month.

Here is her wonderful waltz composition, appropriately titled “Thao’s Waltz.”  Congrats Thao, it’s a beautiful composition with lovely handwriting!