An Introduction

Music technology, specifically digital notation software, has provided many opportunities for the development of music education (Seddon, 2006, p.273). Digital notation software’s time saving abilities have made it practical for composition, a time consuming project, to be taught to a high standard in secondary schools. Composition is a beneficial skill to study in secondary school, as students are at their prime age for this type of learning (Block, 2008, paragraph 1). The skill of composition is beneficial to the students’ development, as it utilises both critical and creative thinking (Kennedy, 1999; Berkley, 2004; Major, 2007).

Digital notation software is designed so that composition is more achievable for people who lack in compositional training (Prairie, 2010). According to Sloboda (1985) (as sighted sited by Kennedy 1999, p.157), prior to the introduction of this software, composition was the “least studied and least understood of all musical processes”.

Source: http://elmhurstmusicacademy.com/music-programs.html

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Reference List:

Berkly, R.(2004). Teaching composing as creative problem solving: Conceptualising composing pedagogy.  B.J Music Ed, 21(3), 239-263. Retrieved March 16, 2010, from Cambridge University Press database.

Kennedy, M.A., (1999). Where does the music come from? A comparison case- study of the compositional processes of a high school and a collegiate composer. B.J Music Ed, 16(2), 157-177. Retrieved March 20, 2010, from Cambridge University Press database.

Major, M.E., (2007). Talking about composing in secondary school music lessons.B.J Music Ed, 24(2), 165-178. Retrieved March 16, from Cambridge University Press database.
 
Prairie, E. Timesavers: Making the best use of your time. (2010). Retrieved March 22, 2010, from http://www.finalemusic.com/Finale/Features/Timesavers/default.aspx.
 
Seddon, F.A. (2006). Collaborative computer-mediated music composition in cyberspace. B.J Music Ed, 23(3), 273-283. Retrieved March 16, 2010, from Cambridge University Press database.