Peter Albertelli

July 19, 2004

PROJECT#4: Middle School Lesson Plan

OBJECTIVE:

Students will compose pieces with ostinato patterns.

PURPOSE:

This lesson reinforces 6^th grade curriculum of form and compositional techniques.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

1. Recording of Pachelbelπs Canon in D Major.

2. CD player

3. 10 computers installed with the application ≥Garage Band≤

4. Teacherπs computer station with projector

5. Black or white board with chalk or dry erase markers

ANTICIPATORY SET:

The students will walk in to the classroom with the recording of Canon in D Major playing on the CD player.

PROCEDURE:

1. Ask the students to describe what happens in the bass line.

2. Define ostinato as ≥a short musical pattern that is repeated continuously throughout a composition or a section of one≤ and write the definition on the board

3. In groups of two, assign each student a computer station. Using the projector, the teacher will demonstrate the application ≥Garage Band≤.

4. Divide the students into small groups, and using the parameters defined below, ask them to compose simple ostinato pieces guided by the following criteria listed below:

- Pieces should be no more than one minute in length.

- An ostinato must play throughout the piece

- Reminder that ≥interesting pieces≤ will have different musical ideas surrounding the ostinato.

- The music can be in any style- be as creative as possible.

5. The students will be given time to compose their pieces in class.

CHECK FOR STUDENT UNDERSTANDING:

Students will play their pieces from their individual work stations and discuss what compositional techniques were used to make their pieces interesting.

CLOSURE:

Ask students to define and describe ostinato and what they experienced during the performance of their pieces.

EXTENSIONS:

Students compose contour pieces around an ostinato pattern using Morton Subotnickπs ≥Making Music≤ composition software. Discussion and use of inversion, retrograde, and other compositional elements may supplement the lesson.