I Can Compose

In my article for the latest issue of the Music Teachers Association 'Ensemble' magazine (which is sent to all members), I look at five common pitfalls in GCSE composition and how we can support students with writing effective pieces. And coming up on 12 November is the first of the MTA's webinar series - Liz Dunbar and Alex Parsons will be discussing 'hacks for development'. Book here: https://lnkd.in/eXApGSts

Teaching whole class composing can be challenging. Our award-winning online courses support students with composing independently. Each course includes: 🎵 Exemplar listening 🎵 Model composition 🎵 Practical tasks 🎵 Key word definitions 🎵 Video content Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e6xGjTmb #Composing #MusicTeachers #OnlineLearning #DigitalLearning #Creativity

🎵 Top Tips for Organising GCSE Music Composition One of our most popular blog posts this year - pick up some handy tips from Director of Music at Rochester Grammar School, Dice Wood. Dice is also delivering a session at the 2025 Music & Drama Education Expo - one not to miss! https://lnkd.in/eX-pTfR9 #MusicTeachers #Composing #GCSEMusic

🎹 There are many aspects to consider when writing a piano accompaniment: ♫ How will the accompaniment enhance what the soloist is playing? ♫ What should each hand be doing? ♫ Can the texture be varied in different ways - how? ♫ Will the composition start with a piano introduction? We explore all these questions and more in our online student course: 'How to Write a Piano Accompaniment'. Included in all Access Plans or can be purchased as an individual course. https://lnkd.in/epRgNX9X #composing #MusicTeachers #piano #GCSEMusic #KS3Music

💥 NEW resource! Fusion Music Listening Pack Created by Patrick Gazard 🎵 Suitable for Y 8-9 and GCSE 🎵 Mainly short answers / tick box questions; one sheet includes a 'stretch and challenge' 5 mark question 🎵 4x student sheets + answer sheets. Music is accessed via QR code or weblink (YouTube or Spotify). 🎵 Classroom activity / homework task / cover lesson Composers/artists include: - Lin-Manuel Miranda - Celtic Reggae Revolution - Mànran - A.R Rahman - Nicole Scherzinger - Leonard Bernstein Included in the Teacher Access Plan or can be purchased as an individual pack. Find out more  ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eSfPDQRQ #MusicEducation #MusicTeachers #Composers

For the final day of our Black History Month Listening Calendar we’re heading back to the 1970s with hit songs from American soul and R&B singer Al Green. Listen to ‘Take me to the River’ and ‘Let’s Stay Together’ on our playlist: We hope you’ve enjoyed this month of listening and encourage you to explore the music of these musicians further! www.icancompose.com/BHM2 #BlackHistoryMonth #AlGreen

“Our ears are the most wonderful access to creativity and imagination because as musicians we hear everything, and those things get stored in some inner vault and come out in all sorts of ways we don’t expect.” (Jazz Times interview) Today we’re listening to the music of American jazz pianist Dr Valerie Capers, who was the first blind musician to graduate with bachelors and masters degrees from the Julliard School of Music. www.icancompose.com/BHM2 #BlackHistoryMonth #ValerieCapers

Our director will be in Dubai in a couple of weeks - do get in touch if you'd like to meet up to find out more about our award-winning music education platform.

“Arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.” (Rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame) Legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix was known for his flamboyant solos and his electric stage presence. Today we're listening to 'Purple Haze' and 'Voodoo Child' on our playlist: www.icancompose.com/BHM2 Original artwork by Toby Potter #JimiHendrix #MusicEducation #RockMusic #BlackHistoryMonth

“The difficult I'll do right now. The impossible will take a little while.” Today it’s the turn of legendary jazz singer songwriter Billie Holiday, also known as ‘Lady Day’. She was awarded four Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumously). Have a listen to 'Fine and Mellow' and 'God Bless the Child' over on our playlist: www.icancompose.com/BHM2 Original artwork by Toby Potter #BlackHistoryMonth #BillieHoliday #MusicEducation #Composers