Including Composition and Improvisation in the Crashendo program at Laverton College

Conference Paper
Sunday 3 July
Scotch College, Melbourne

Abstract: Crashendo! is a community-based music program at Laverton College. Students participate in small group classes and ensemble rehearsals for four hours after school each week. Tuition is free and instruments are provided. Under the guidance of teaching artists, students develop technical proficiency on their instrument, and skills such as cooperation, commitment, focus, confidence, trust and self-discipline. Teachers use method books for beginners then select standard repertoire as the students advance in ability. Following a research trip to New York, I returned to address deficits in the curriculum pertaining to composition and improvisation. Our students are the composers of the future in this country and I felt they were missing out on clear opportunities to be new music creators. This practice-based presentation describes my experience in reviewing the curriculum through extensive discussion, challenges in shifting pedagogical approaches, inclusion of external assistance and the implementation of some minimum composition and improvisation requirements in rehearsals and performances.