EX A MI NI NG MU SI C LEA R NI NG EX P ER I ENC ES
T H O U G H T S
C HUA S I E W LI NG
These projects have shown us that all
students can compose, regardless of their
academic levels or streams, or level of
musicianship and musical understandings.
The process of music composition is multi-
faceted and organic. Students can be
imitating or replicating sounds and actions,
trading musical ideas, interacting in sound,
problem solving, responding emotionally and
responding collaboratively in music. Music
composition offers varied ways of expressing
knowledge and one’s identity. Seeing our
students as composers allows us to ask the
“what ifs” to stretch the imagination of our
students. Seeing the multi-faceted nature
of composition allows us to accept and
appre ciate a broader range of compositional
processes, musical behaviours and
responses. Helping our students understand
and apply these processes will enable them
towards a self-directed journey as music
makers and music creators.
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