AboutDr Colin Expertise I can answer questions from students of "classical" composing, arranging, notation problems and music theory, writing for instruments and voice and writing music for education. I can answer questions about orchestration but I do not cover questions about pop or rock music, pop song writing or electronic music.
I taught for many years in UK up to "A" level theory and composition. I have spent many years in music education, initially (like everyone else) as a teacher. Then I moved on to advisory work (teaching teachers!) and also lectured, giving many workshops for teachers in developing music education skills and techniques. For a time I worked as a teacher-lecturer at London University's Institute of Education and eventually worked full-time as a Music Education Adviser to schools in part of London, offering advice on music education and curriculum development.
Experience I started composing music at the age 14 (it was mostly rubbish, since you asked) and now have a large number of compositions to credit as well as many publications, especially for instrumental music and choral music. I have also written several acclaimed works for large orchestra and choir. My work has been published particularly in the UK (under different names)(notably by Boosey & Hawkes, Novello, and Schott) but also in the USA and the Netherlands.
My music for elementary players (several publications) has been performed and broadcast worldwide. I am now retired from my previous job as Music Education Adviser. These days I spend most of my time composing and arranging. I am currently working on instrumental arrangements of world national anthems for my National Anthems website and also completing a suite of very easy piano solos and duets for elementary players. For many years I have used the music program "Finale" for all my music writing activities.
Organizations International Society for Music Education;
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Publications "The Times" Educational Supplement; "Hi-Fi News and Record Review". For several years, I used to write for many of the state music education periodicals in the US and I also wrote several influential articles on instrumental music teaching for "Music Teacher" magazine in the UK. (UK).
Question Hi,
I am a young teacher who has been asked to teach the a-level composition module.
I did teach the as level course last year and we spent a lot of time studying the basics of 4 part harmony writing. My pupil wrote a modern praise song with 4 part voices accompanied by a piano guitar and flute. Although she did achieve her a grade i was disappointed in her mark.
This year we have started to look at using more advanced chords eg. Aug 6th Neo. 6th etc and i am trying to convince her to continue down this route of 4 part vocal writing has they are looking for them to show use of harmonic part writing.
I am at a bit of a loss as to how she can improve what she did last year or what type of work she should be looking at in terms of structure. we have looked at some of Bach cantatas but the chorale sections of these are so short followed by arias and chorus. Do you have any suggestion on what avenue to take with this? we had also thought of adding in string Quartet accompaniment? Any thoughts would be welcome.
Thanks
Answer Hi Carol,
First, apologies for not getting back to you sooner. The Internet connection has been down here for several days. This answer has to be very short because I am using a temp. connection. I think you are certainly doing things the right way with your "A" level student. I think you can really only go so far in 4 part vocal writing with a student. She may find it more interesting to try writing something for instruments alone, or possibly single voice and instruments. It may be helpful to look for example at Mozart or Haydn string quartets to get some ideas from them. If she can already handle the various 6th chords she is reasonably skilled already and may feel a change to some instrumental writing a refreshing change. Are there any requirements of the "A" level syllabus that require writing for specific ensembles? I don't know because I obviouslty do not know what syllabus you are using. You can get back to me at doctorcolin<at>csloxinfo.com and we can discuss the matter in more details.
