Discovering Through Creating: Composing At All Ages- Decorah High School

This year the AP Music Theory Class at Decorah High School and the 4th graders of Decorah are collaborating on the idea of "Discovering through Creating." One of the first tasks the AP Music Theory class completed was to write a short canon that would be learned by and ultimately performed by the 4th graders. After a long process of learning how to write for a specific audience, revisions and learning to sing the piece, we had written a canon. Then, we spent a few days writing ostinati for various Orff instruments as accompaniment. The video shows the final product that we created. The APMT students went to the 4th graders to teach the Orff parts in February and we are now all anxiously awaiting the final performance in a couple of weeks. The APMT students are also now in the process of writing a major composition for either orchestra or choir that will synthesize all the skills and knowledge that they have gained in the course of the year. We will perform these at an assembly for the 4th graders at the very end of the school year.

Collaborating teacher is Sarah Zbornik and instructional coach is Andrew Ellingsen (seen in the video).

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Grant Project Description

Discovering Through Creating: Composing At All Ages

Fourth grade students will study the composition of music with high school AP Music History students taking the lead role in the creation of original pieces for each group. Students will work collaboratively to create, rehearse, refine, and evaluate each section of the original compositions, resulting in the creation of a finished piece. The project will culminate with a public performance by each group at a joint concert in April.

Amount awarded: $2,000.00
Grade level: 9-12
School: Decorah High School
District: Decorah
Teacher(s) name(s): Nicole Cody, Sarah Zbornik, Andrew Ellingsen