'So You Want to Start Composing' CD-ROM

Subject: Music
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 14 - 16
Order Number: 11073

This resource was written in direct response to the plea 'I cannot compose!' Using Three Blind Mice and treating it to a fascinating series of variations, pupils are gradually introduced to more creative ways of exploring a theme, giving them an important head start in the art of composition.

Every day teachers face pupils with wide ranging skills and abilities, the authors of 'So You Want to Start Composing' decided upon the idea of taking the simple song Three Blind Mice to lead pupils through a gradual series of possibilities that would be applicable to their own attempts at composition. Aimed at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, 'So You Want to Start Composing' is colourfully presented so that not only can pupils pick up great ideas but they also learn about form, structure and how to appropriately apply ideas to develop a theme.

The book encourages pupils to ask themselves questions about the next step and more importantly to have a go!

A new and exciting approach to composition emphasising the organic growth of ideas 'So You Want to Start Composing' has been a great success. During it's piloting in a number of secondary schools there has been a rise in competition amongst both pupils (and staff!) as to who can come up with the most creative arrangement of Three Blind Mice.

So You Want to Start Composing will get reluctant pupils moving and gifted pupils exploring ideas in a way in which we believe will greatly enhance the quality of their coursework.