Course Description

Composition and Technology 11 and 12 focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students need to compose music using traditional and contemporary technologies. Students explore how developments in technology affect music composition, how composition technologies differ across cultures and throughout history, and how composers manipulate available technologies to express individuality and creativity.

Students experiment with using technology to manipulate musical form and to enhance the expressive possibilities of music composition.

Students also learn the role of technology and music composition in society. They examine how available technologies influenced distinctive kinds of composition in particular cultures and historical eras, and how technological developments affect music composition today. They explore career options related to music composition today, and develop skills useful in pursuing those options.

The Composition and Technology 11 and 12 Curriculum

The prescribed learning outcomes for Composition and Technology 11 and 12 are grouped according to the same three curriculum organizers used in all Kindergarten to Grade 12 music IRPs. A fourth organizer called Applications of Technology recognizes of the importance of technology to music composition today. The following curriculum organizer descriptions define the course content specific to Composition and Technology 11 and 12.

Structure

Music is structured sound. To better understand music, students need to learn to distinguish the forms and structures found in it. In Composition and Technology 11 and 12, students create and re-create music by manipulating pitch, rhythm, and form, using a variety of available technologies. Students also listen to and critique compositions in order to demonstrate understanding of these structural elements.

Elements of Rhythm
Students examine how technology can be used to manipulate the relative duration of sounds in music in the context of a beat or grouping of beats.
Elements of Melody
Students examine how technology can be used to manipulate the pitch of sounds and their linear arrangement into melodic lines.
Elements of Expression
Students examine how technology can be used to manipulate the harmony, texture, dynamics, tempo, timbre, and articulation of sounds in music.
Form and Principles of Design
Students use technology to distinguish the forms and structures used in music composition. These forms and structures are based on the principles of design: unity, variety, repetition, emphasis, and pattern.

Thoughts, Images, and Feelings

In Composition and Technology 11 and 12, students compose music and manipulate structural elements in order to express and respond to their own thoughts, images, and feelings, and interpret those of other composers. Students use available technology to enhance expressive possibilities.

Context

Self and Community
The course explains how technology and composition reflect social values, and develops studentsź abilities to offer constructive criticism of their own compositions and those of others. Students also examine how technology affects the legal, ethical, and moral aspects of music composition.
Historical and Cultural
Composition and Technology 11 and 12 includes a study of music composition and technology as they relate to society, culture, and history. Within this context, students develop an appreciation of and respect for cultural and stylistic differences.

Applications of Technology

Technology refers to means of creating, re-creating, and manipulating musical compositions. In Composition and Technology 11 and 12, students use technology to make the composing process more efficient and to expand possibilities for variation. Students also gain an understanding of how available technology affects the way audiences listen and respond to music.

Adapting the Composition and Technology 11 and 12 Curriculum

Schools or districts might choose to adapt existing programs to fit the new curricular requirements or to focus Composition and Technology 11 and 12 on particular areas of music composition. Possibilities for adapting the course include focussing on songwriting, commercial music, traditional composition, recording and production, electronic music, soundtrack and film scores, arranging, or sound synthesis. Any adaptations of the course must meet all the prescribed learning outcomes.

Classroom Considerations

Work in music composition and technology requires appropriate facilities and specialized equipment and materials.

Facilities

Although several components of the curriculum can take place in regular classrooms, the creative components have some specific requirements. When choosing or designing a facility for the physical components of the curriculum, consider the following:

Are the acoustics appropriate and safe?
Does the facility offer flexibility for instruction?
Is the space open and unobstructed?
Is there adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation?
Is there access to video equipment, computer technology, and an adequate sound system?
Is there access to storage (for instruments, music, equipment)?
Is a soundproof room available?

Equipment and Materials

Teachers who want to offer students experiences with a variety of materials and processes but who are unable to purchase all the necessary equipment may be able to use specialized equipment from other departments in the school or district (e.g., fine arts, drama, technology education, or business education departments). Local colleges, television and radio broadcasters or studios, and businesses are other possible sources. This equipment includes:

sound sources (piano, MIDI keyboard, musical instruments)
sound recording equipment (DAT, computers, software, score anthology and recording collection, MIDI workstation, SMPTE equipment)
sound-manipulation equipment (sound effects, sampler)
performance and playback equipment (PA system, mixer, microphone, stereo system, headphones, VCR and television)

Fine Arts Graduation Requirements

Composition and Technology 11 and Composition and Technology 12 are two of the provincially approved four-credit courses that satisfy the two-credit fine arts requirement for graduation. Schools are encouraged to provide opportunities for students to take more than one music course at a given grade level. Each course must address all the learning outcomes for its designated grade.

Revised: January 25, 1999

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