Methods and ideas for the creation of 'transparent' music in the classroom

Abstract

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Methods and ideas for the creation of ‘transparent’ music in the classroom The aims of this port-folio are as follows; - To provide a coherent sequence of pieces and methods which can be used to create music in an educational context and also encourage students and teachers to develop their own creativity. - To provide pieces which develop student’s confidence in their own ability to create music in a variety of ways including composition, improvisation and creative leadership. - To provide exercises and pieces which help to develop the listening and appreciation skills essential for ensemble musicmaking. - To provide methods that enable the creation of ‘transparent music’. This is music in which the some, or all, of the decision making involved in the creation of a piece is accessible and apparent to an audience during its performance. This submission consists of a teaching book containing thirteen pieces/exercises, instructions giving guidance on their possible use in a teaching context and recorded examples. Also included are separate instructions where appropriate for the use of pieces in a concert or other non-educational setting and two essays giving context and background information on the ideas behind the pieces