Phase one about to come to a close...

Composition has far more steps than I ever thought. I was naive enough to think that you just sat down and wrote down and wrote a piece and that was it. I had no idea that there were so many dimensions to the process before.

As intimidating as it may be sometimes, I think having your pieces played in class is one of the most important steps in this composition process. It is very interesting to hear what others have to say about your ideas. Everyone catches something different that maybe you didn't hear, as well as ideas about how to improve upon your composition.

My last piece was written in an attempt to finish off my set of character pieces with a bang sort to speak. I noticed that my other two pieces were missing something that most of my other class mates have already achieved. Energy. I mean, I guess my other two pieces had a different sort of energy, but my last one I wanted to be exciting and energetic, but in a mean unapologetic sort of way. I used a lot of sixteenth notes in the piano and tuba to add to the energy I wanted. I also tried to use a motive again (which I did in my other 2 pieces) however this time I was mindful to use it in a different way, and an unexpecting way every time. I think in my second piece I took Dr. Ross's advice to heart a little too much (with my repeated motive 5 times in a row, the same way every time). So hopefully nobody will suspect where this piece is going!

Completing the first whole assignment with all these epiphanies makes me very satisfied. I am very glad this course turned out to be like nothing like I thought it would be!

-Melissa