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Music composition for film : a series of creative projects designed as adjunct learning experiences in lower-division music theory classes

This study attempted to demonstrate that original composition for film can function as a basis for the examination of the technical and expressive factors of music and their interdependence. The study developed a series of creative projects designed as adjunct learning experiences in lower-division music theory classes. These projects were not developed to serve as a complete music theory curriculum. They were designed as a series of supplementary experiences intended to complement the study of the materials, structure and principles as covered in the main core of the curriculum.One section each of freshman and sophomore theory served as the population for the experiment. Continuity of student membership remained fairly constant throughout the academic year. Each class ranged in size from ten to thirteen members with a representative sampling of singers, pianists and players of string, wind, brass and percussion instruments.Students were assigned various film music projects ranging in length from thirty seconds to six minutes. The early compositions from the beginning of each academic year were intentionally limited in scope in one manner or another one instrument and sixty-five-seconds for two instruments. The scope of the experiences gradually expanded until students were composing four- to six-minute compositions for five to ten performers.Not all projects utilized complete films. In some instances a longer film was divided among several students with each one composing for a particular segment. with few exceptions, these compositions were written specifically for the performers available in each class. Therefore, each composer had to work with and reconcile a wide variety of instrumental combinations and range of performing abilities.The style and expressive content of the various films utilized afforded each student the opportunity to explore a broad range of visual experiences. All films used were available through the Ball State University Film :service . Students were permitted to view films at any time during the regular sixty-seven' hours per week provided by the Film Service schedule.An introduction to the study is presented in Chapter I. Chapter TI is devoted to a review of selected literature concerning composition of music for film, creative musical activities in the schools and lower-division music theory in higher education. Chapter III presents the procedures and technical aspects undertaken to implement the study. Chapters IV and V, respectively, offer a report and analysis of the freshman and sophomore project series.music scores from each project. The more successful compositions from the project series are included in Chapter VI. This chapter is concerned with a report of the public performance of selected compositions from the various projects. Chapter VII includes summary comments, recommendations and discussion.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/177358
Date January 1977
CreatorsKing, Jeffrey Thomas
ContributorsSherman, Robert W.
Source SetsBall State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Formatviii, 539 leaves ; music ; 28 cm.
SourceVirtual Press

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