Cartoon Motive Contest: We Need Your Vote!

(NOTE: This contest for my students has expired, so I don’t really need any votes any more. However, I’m leaving this post up to help other teachers see how to do a Cartoon Motive Contest themselves.)

Teachers, I need your help in the Cartoon Motive Contest which I will be explaining in detail tomorrow.  I will be awarding a “People’s Choice Award” to the student who receives the most votes in this Cartoon Motive Contest and I need you to be my “people” to find the best motive!

Please vote on your favorite motive for the winning pictures by leaving a comment below.  Remember, vote on the melodic motive that you believe best represents the character.  Choose one motive for Cartoon Character #1 and one motive for Cartoon Character #2.  You have until July 23rd to cast your vote.

I appreciate the encouragement that you will be giving my students by participating in this contest.  My students know that composing is important to me and them, but it would be wonderful for them to see that many others believe it is important as well.  We thank you for your participation!  (Feel free to spread the word (Facebook, Twitter, your colleagues).  The more input we get on these motives, the better!)

Cartoon Character #1

 Description:

“My character is a European knight riding into battle.” –Michael

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Entry 6

Entry 7

Cartoon Character #2

Sarah’s winning character

Description:

“Talon is not necessarily a vicious dragon, but he ferociously guards his large mounds of treasure.  He owns a very special hourglass shaped necklace, his most prized possession which allows him to time travel.  He spends most of his free time traveling to the ancient past and the distant future and stealing valuable treasures and jewels; these he adds to his collection.  If you try to steal any of his treasure, brag that you have more than he does, or make any comments that downplays his treasure, however, then beware: he will get revenge!”  –Sarah

Entry 1 Talon

Entry 2 Talon

Entry 3 Talon

Entry 4 Talon

Entry 5 Talon

Entry 6 Talon

Entry 7 Talon

Thank you for casting your vote!

33 thoughts on “Cartoon Motive Contest: We Need Your Vote!”

  1. I have to say this was really hard, they were all so great! Here are my final selections…

    Cartoon Character #1 (Knight)- Entry #6
    Cartoon Character #2 (Talon)- Entry #5

  2. Knight – #4
    Dragon – #6

    The other motives were very good, but to me these two best expressed the mood of the pictures/descriptions.

  3. #1 Knight – Entry 3
    #2 Dragon – Entry 5

    I’ve been following the progress of this “contest” on your blog. I’m really enjoying it. I may have to borrow this idea to use with my piano students!

  4. All interesting motives!
    Knight: #3: galloping over uneven ground (bit of uncertainty here – who will win?)
    Talon: #1: vengeful, powerful dragon!

  5. Arlene Davenport

    My Votes
    #1 – Knight – Entry 7
    #2 – Talon – Entry 7

    What creative students you have, Wendy, tough decision!

  6. Wow! What wonderful motives. I could write a piece for all of them! They were are very creative and well thought out. These are my choices for most interesting!
    Cartoon Character 1 – 3 (winner)
    Cartoon Character 2 – 7 (winner).
    CONGRATULATIONS!!! Kevin Costley, (FJH Music Company Major Composer; Fort Lauderdale Florida)

  7. Cool ideas. Seeing how they develop these ideas will be what I would love to see on paper…
    I vote for “Knight” – motive #7
    and “Dragon” – motive #7

  8. for #1 I vote entry 3 — very Bartok-esque 🙂
    for #2 I vote entry 5 — that was a tough choice but I thought it fit the character of the dragon the best

  9. I enjoyed listening to all the motives. Your students are very creative! Here’s my vote. . .

    Knight: entry 3
    Dragon: entry 7

  10. Wow, what a wonderful set of motives! All of them could develop into exciting pieces! It was a tough choice, but here are my votes:

    Knight: #2 (I can really hear the harmonies which would make this a vivid musical portrait of this knight; #7 is a close second).

    Dragon: #7 (the motive can really reflect this dragon’s long sweeping tail, and his busyness).

    Congratulations to all entrants; keep your ideas coming!!

  11. what a lovely idea – and I enjoyed ALL of them
    Knight – number 3 – especially for the galloping feel
    Dragon – number 1 – especially for the urgent way it started

  12. What cool motives! I love the drawings. So colorful and detailed. That helped form my opinion, along with the descriptions.

    For The Knight I liked # 7 the best. Sounded like a battle cry!
    For the Dragon I like # 1. Definitely said to me, don’t touch my stuff!!

  13. Kathleen B. Isberg

    Here is my vote:
    Knight- #4 ( though I really liked #7 as well)
    Dragon- #1 ( others were great, but this one fit a dragon!)
    Great job…and wonderful idea, Wendy!

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