Composing seems to be one of the most difficult parts of the music syllabus in the National Curriculum and yet it is a basic element of the course. Many primary school teachers are not trained and experienced in music itself, let alone in teaching pupils how to create it.

And yet classroom composing is an activity which helps develop listening skills, attention, memory and analysis. It is a useful focus for group work. And all this is quite apart from being fun and creative in itself.

So the issue can be quite fundamental. How to begin to teach composition? How to work with such a mixed ability class? How to evaluate what has been composed?

David Stoll is a well-known composer of concert, theatre and television music who has spent considerable time looking into this subject and has written Key Stage 2 Composing – the complete scheme of work. Though full of strategies and tips for teachers with a music background, the book is specifically written for teachers who have no knowledge of music theory at all and little confidence in teaching music.

In simple, non-technical language the book explains how to use two basic models for making up a piece of music: patterns and stories. A simple and immediately recognisable method of graphic notation is introduced and classes will be making up, writing down, reading and playing new pieces of music within a couple of weeks.

Key Stage 2 Composing covers every aspect of primary school creative music making. Each lesson in the book is broken down into five and ten minute blocks, with each step fully detailed and accompanied by explanatory notes for the teacher. As well as a complete set of lessons there are several short- and long-term composing projects for the pupils to work. The book is copiable throughout which means it can be shared by KS2 teachers throughout the school.

David Stoll was commissioned by the DfES to run a project investigating how composers may work with teachers in primary schools, and to write a handbook for schools and composers: Building music (DfES 2005). David regularly runs composing workshops and delivers INSETs in schools and for LEAs around the country.

Sample pages of the book may be downloaded from http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/primary/T1752.pdf

Publisher’s catalogue number T1752emn; ISBN: 978 1 86083 714 2

Prices

  • Book or CD: £24.95 plus £3.95 delivery
  • Book plus CD: £31.94 plus £3.95 delivery
  • Download from the on-line shop: £16.95

Methods of ordering – please quote catalogue number T1752emn