This workshop’s theme is “Blending Harmonies, Inviting Unity,” which is all about how music brings people together. If this is your first time writing a piece, don’t worry—there’s no “right” way to express your ideas! You don’t have to use only traditional notes and rhythms. Feel free to experiment with other types of instructions and graphics to bring your music to life. Here are a few ideas (see the attached examples below)
- Wavy lines to show smooth, sliding sounds
- Dots for short, quick notes or rhythmic pulses
- Arrows to indicate rising or falling pitches
- Shapes to represent musical sections or textures
- Colors to express different moods or feelings
Your teacher can help you come up with creative ways to represent your musical ideas—so be bold and have fun experimenting!
Source: Colgrass, Michael. Composing for Beginners: A Handbook for Young Composers. The Midwest Clinic, 2010, https://www.midwestclinic.org/user_files_1/pdfs/clinicianmaterials/2010/michael_colgrass.pdf. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.