Experiencing Music Composition in Grades 3-5 is a practical guide to new, innovative, and natural composition techniques for young composers. Music Educators Michele Kaschub and Janice
Smith bring a wealth of experience to bear a unique and thoughtfully curated series of materials that help teachers connect music education to young composers’ everyday emotions and activities
. Divided into four sections, Kaschub and Smith’s book illustrates a creative roadmap for instilling a sense of creative independence in students ages 8-11. The first section introduces readers
to three distinct compositional ideals that are as educationally significant as the music they help create: feelingful intention, musical expressivity, and artistic craftsmanship. These
capacities help springboard children’s work from sounds and brief musical gestures to thoughtfully created, expressive musical pieces. Section 2 includes fun and imaginative lessons that are
accompanied by Sketchpages-graphic worksheets that support deep consideration of a project’s purpose during the compositional process. Lessons also include invaluable suggestions for productive
sharing in a variety of formats. Section 3 offers guidance and strategies for sharing work, providing feedback, and encouraging future growth in a manner that fosters a positive learning
experience and acknowledges each composer’s musical autonomy. Section 4 contains additional teacher guides focused on creating original music in different genres. These guides outline multiple
approaches to corresponding lessons and jumpstart activity while serving as developmental models. Experiencing Music Composition: Grades 3-5 offers new ways to promote not only creative
intuition in children but also independent thought, preparing students for a fulfilling relationship with music.
