[Menvi-discuss] Graded music ... part-writing

[STEPHANIE PIECK]

There are some "graded music" programs in the U.S., but they are usually only at the state level (for example, California's 10-level Certificate of Merit program, or the 6-level NYSSMA one in New York, organized through the school music teachers' statewide organization).

Various music groups--like the National Federation of music Clubs (Gold Cup program), Piano Guild, and Music Teachers National Conference have evaluation programs.

But I've found that the Associated Board is the most widely recognized, and many Asian students' families request that their kids participate in it because they're familiar with it.

Even if students don't participate, using the guidelines can ensure that, as a teacher, I've covered the materials I need to. (Whether the student actually does the work is another matter entirely, over which, sadly, I have little control!)

Andy's points about "writing for normal human beings" and working backwards are great--all the books I've read state somewhere that, when writing for four parts, one should assume you're composing for untrained voices.

Theory is, unfortunately, a subject that is often either taught in a way that makes it so confusing or so dry that many musicians absorb a long-lasting dread of it. If you can present it to teenagers, non-music-major types, and have them say it makes sense and it's fun when you're done and also have them producing correct examples of work, then that's the best thing you can hope for.

Stephanie
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://menvi.org/pipermail/menvi-discuss_menvi.org/attachments/20120309/85a51dc8/attachment.htm>