This is part 2b in the lecture I gave at the KMTA conference in June. In this segment, I talk ways in which we unknowingly discourage composition and creativity in our students.  Please continue with the series by watching 2c […]
Composition for Kids: 2b. How Are We Discouraging Creativity & Composition? Read More »
This is part 2a in the lecture I gave at the KMTA conference in June. In this segment, I talk about the questions I asked great composers about what they learned or didn’t learn as students that helped them or
Composition for Kids – 2a. Composers As Students Read More »
On June 6th, I had the privilege of giving a presentation to the Kansas Music Teachers Association entitled, Composition for Kids: Time Saving Ways to Encourage Composition. The KMTA teachers were very encouraging and participatory and I enjoyed their contributions
Composition for Kids – 1. Why Teach Composition? Read More »
I’m finally making some progress on editing the Composition for Kids video presentation. I do hope to have some of these available to watch starting next week! I just wanted to let you know that I haven’t forgotten. In the
Linda Kennedy, an amazing teacher from Arkansas, has been adopting a composer every year for 11 years! Her program has been such a success that I have asked her to write an article about how other studios and organizations could
“Adopt-a-Composer” Program Read More »
In preparation for my lecture for the KMTA conference, I corresponded with a number of composers about their years as a piano student. I asked them the following questions: 1. What did you or your teacher do that helped you
Composers Speak On Their Years As Piano Students Read More »
Setting musical parameters is important for students who are learning to compose. When there are no parameters and the “skies the limit,” students have trouble focusing and often produce directionless music. I love what Janet Lanier recently suggested on Twitter
Setting Interesting Parameters Read More »
I’m getting ahead of myself, but my 2nd point at the KMTA Conference lecture Composition for Kids was “Relate Theory To Composition.” I’m going to be talking about this in a later post, but I thought the KMTA members might
“Relate Theory to Composition” E.g. Read More »
Thanks to all the KMTA members who helped make my presentation on Saturday successful. I appreciate your participating in the session though it was early in the morning! I am grateful for your interest in the topic of Composition for
In working with student composers, I have discovered that students struggle with 2 major areas of composition: melody and form. These trouble areas tend to manifest themselves in the following ways: Too many motivic ideas in one piece Too much repetition (too
Trouble Areas for Student Composers Read More »
The Great Fuzzy Event of 2026!
You will not believe what we released at this premier event! Four new Fuzzies solos, a new and FREE incentive program, summer ideas, new resources and so much more! Even the replay is super fun!
