The Psalms Project
For the past four years, each Spring I’ve given my students the opportunity to participate in The Psalms Project. The first lesson of the year I handout The Psalms Project worksheet and encourage them to compose their own song to go with the words of one or more verses from the Psalms. Here’s a list of the step-by-step instructions I include on the worksheet for each student:
* Pick a verse from one of the psalms in the Bible.
* Compose a melody to go with the words of the verse.
* Figure out what the time signature and key signature are.
* Notate the melody on staff paper.
* Figure out what chords could be used to harmonize the melody.
* Notate the chords or a chord accompaniment to go along with the melody.
* Learn how to use the computer notation program.
* Transfer your composition onto the computer.
* Draw an illustration to go with your composition. (optional)
* Turn in your composition by May 10 to be included in The Psalms Project – Vol. 4 book
Once I’ve received all the contributions, I compile them into a book and send them off to the printer. Then, at our Year-End-Evaluations, the student plays their composition for their parent(s) and is the proud recipient of their very own published work!
It’s an exciting project that gives the students an introduction to composition and notation - both by hand and with the use of computer software. Many of the same students contribute to the project each year and it’s neat to see them grow in musical maturity through their composing. Plus, it’s proved to be a great way to not completely neglect the wonderful world of composition that often gets passed by for other more pressing assignments in my regular teaching routine!
May 19th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Such a great idea! You’re teaching more than one valuable lesson with this project.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Hi, This is a great little project and I would think a really good way to motivate students. I also really like the fact that the project is wider than simply practising a new piece - those extras like, notation software, harmony and drawing all go a long way to making this a more interesting and exciting project for students.
One question though - how do you fund this? I assume there is a cost involved in printing/collating the output of your studens efforts.
Enjoy your practice!
May 20th, 2008 at 3:17 am
That’s a great idea! Do you do it with all your students or just those at a certain level? Thanks for your great blog and resources
May 20th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Mike~
Good question! Yes, there is a cost involved in printing and binding the books, but I just factor it in as one of the expenses of running a studio and providing creative outlets for my students. I’ve also started charging a $50 registration fee at the beginning of each year that is used to off-set expenses like printing, computer software, etc.
Fiona~
I let even my little beginner students participate in the project if they want to. Their compositions are usually short five-finger pieces in the key of C, but we can discuss what elements make a good melody and they can start to learn notation. If they haven’t gotten to the point of reading music notation yet, I just help them figure out the time signature and do the notation while they watch. I guess I think maybe they’ll at least learn something by osmosis!
May 21st, 2008 at 4:11 am
That’s an insteresting idea - registration fee. I’m not sure how that would work here in the UK. I guess one would need to demonstrate the value add the student gets for the registration fee.
Of course if you have a studio which has produced good results in the past and you have created a demand for yourself as a teacher I guess a registration fee would be more easily justified.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
May I use this idea in my studio? And still call it the Psalms Project?
How much time do you spend during the lesson working on this assignment?
What company do you recommend to use to publish the books?
July 25th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Shelly~
Yes, it’s certainly fine with me if you use the idea. I’m glad you like it! I actually do the design work and convert all the individual compositions into pdf files and then e-mail them to a local print shop that I use to print a lot of my studio materials. Then I have them spiral bind each book so that it lays open flat. I would recommend getting price quotes from some of your local print shops or office supply stores. That’s where you’ll probably find the best deal for a job like this. Hope that helps!