Inspiring students through musical composition

Composing music is an activity that can be very inspiring especially for young music students. Learning music theory and learning to play a musical instrument requires many years of study. While performing skills require constant learning, listening and practice that goes on forever, learning the language of music can be achieved much quicker.

There are only seven letters used in reading music, namely A to G. There are only a handful of music note types that are repeatedly used in the simplest to the most complicated music pieces. Terms, symbols and musical signs are likewise, repeatedly used. Therefore, once we have learned music rudiments and music theory, it stays with us as long as we are constantly using them to read and play music.

For the young students in our CSR Music Outreach Program, they are taught music rudiments and music theory to acquire music literacy. This is further supported via musical activities in class for them to understand and apply what they have learned. While such activities has the participation of the entire class, we also wanted to see individual creativity.

For the keen and inspired students, we wanted them to step out and show us their abilities. It was decided that a musical composition from the students would reveal any talent and creativity in them. The students were encouraged to submit a composition of their own creation for the year end music project. The purpose was to have them experience composing music that will be performed and featured in our blog if selected. This would be a great activity to encourage and inspire anyone learning music.

From the numerous submissions we received from the young students, the following below were selected. These selected compositions were more structured, complete and listenable. In short, these had more substance than the other compositions submitted.