Composer in the Classroom returns for the 2008-2009 Season

The Niagara Symphony’s Composer in the Classroom (CITC) program provides opportunities for students Grades 5 & 6 to be involved in the compositional process. The Ontario Arts Curriculum approaches music education as elements of Form, Function, Creativity and Meaning.

Through the creation of a composition, students will come to understand that the final form is the result of all the decisions made by group members as an expression of their ideas. By acquiring technique and notation skills students will learn how to translate ideas into a concept. They will explore meaning in music as they learn to recognize the communication of ideas and also by presenting a personal and critical response to their own work. The individual experience of creating and studying music will lead to an appreciation of both the process and the product. No previous music experience or knowledge is necessary but enthusiasm and interest in being involved in the creation and performance of a work of music is essential to the success of the project. To facilitate maximum achievement an information guide will be sent to each class two weeks before the workshops commence. Each class will work with the composer for ninety minutes for each of five days. Each school is limited to two classes of thirty participants.

DAY 1 (90 min.)

Participants will be introduced to composition, how a composer works, orchestral instruments and their sounds. Discussion of types of music: music that tells a story, music inspired by poetry, for events or celebrations, expressing feelings or ideas. The class will be introduced to ORFF instruments. Group will write short melodies.

DAY 2 (90 min.)

Students will explore different forms of composition structure; ABA, rondeau, symmetrical and asymmetrical forms and will work with rhythm and harmony. They will explore groupings of sound by their dynamics and colour. Groups will work on melody development and its performance.

DAY 3 (90 min.)

Students will perform group melodies for the class. Through discussion of ensemble playing they will further develop and refine the music ideas. Information will be presented regarding music notation and written parts for individual players. Time will be spent on rehearsal strategies, the role of the conductor and performance considerations.

DAY 4 (90 min.)

Symphony musicians participate with students in an orchestration workshop. Students have the opportunity to make decisions in the areas of sound, color, range, texture and balance. Professional musicians from the Niagara Symphony will join the class. Exploration of the variety of instrumental sounds will augment the potential of the composition.

DAY 5 (120 min. combined groups)

For the first hour, students will participate in a dress rehearsal as preparation for the formal concert performance. This is an opportunity to make last minute improvements and changes to their piece. Students will participate in discussions dealing with the logistics and challenges of performance in front of an audience. The second hour will be a live performance for fellow students and family at the school.

End of Project: School Concert Performance

Students, teachers and parents are invited to the world premier performance conducted by Ms. Thomas. Musicians from the Niagara Symphony will perform the student’s compositions at a date to be determined.

Composer in the Classroom tentative date for the 2008-2009 Season:

November 10-21, 2008
February 2-13, 2009
April 20– May 1, 2009

COST: The cost is $800 per school for five days. Individual schools will be invoiced directly by the Niagara Symphony Association. Payment is due at the time of booking.

MATERIALS: Schools must provide a piano or electric keyboard and *ORFF instruments.

HOW: Please contact Laura Thomas, Associate Conductor, Niagara Symphony, at:

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Telephone 905-687-4993 ext 223; Fax 905-687-1149

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 10, 2008

*Orff Instruments
Orff Instruments for children began to be developed in 1928 by K. Maendler under the direction of composer Carl Orff. They were modeled after a wooden African instrument. The unique quality Orff instruments possess are removable bars. This way the bars that are not used can be removed and the student has a greater chance for success. Orff said, "Experience first, then intellectualize." A successful and fun experience is the basis for a positive learning process.

Associate Conductor and CITC Composer, Laura Thomas

Laura Thomas is a conductor, arranger, composer, percussionist and teacher. She is the Associate Conductor of the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director of Niagara based chamber choir, Choralis Camerata and Music Director of the Hamilton/Niagara area WomEnchant Chorus. For over 15 years, she was Conductor of the Junior Niagara Youth Orchestra in St. Catharines and starting in the fall of 2008, will become Music Director of the Niagara Youth Orchestra. Ms. Thomas is also an instructor in the Brock University Music Department.

Her guest conducting appearances include the Etobicoke Philharmonic, the North York Concert Orchestra, Niagara-on-the-Lake Sinfonia and the Bard Chamber Orchestra. She was for many years, Director of the Niagara College Jazz Band. Ms. Thomas holds a Master of Fine Arts in Conducting from New York’s prestigious Bard College, where she studied with Harold Farberman. She is also a graduate of Hamilton’s Mohawk College and McMaster University, where she studied percussion and composition.

Niagara Symphony audiences have known Ms. Thomas as Principal Percussionist with the NSO since 1985. She has also performed with many ensembles throughout Southern Ontario and Western New York, including the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Hamilton Philharmonic, the Te Deum Orchestra, and the Aradia Ensemble. Her recording credits include the Aradia Ensemble’s CD for Naxos Records, “Ballet Music for the Sun King”, the Niagara College Jazz Band’s “On the Move”, Rich Blend’s self titled CD, sisterLune’s “Wonder”, and Women In Music’s “LIVE at the Black Sea Hall.”

She is a member of Niagara’s popular group BroadBand. This quintet of multi-instrumentalists and singers performs mostly original songs at events around the St. Catharines area. Their active schedules included many fund-raisers and social justice events. Their latest cd “BroadBand” contains exclusively original songs by all members of the group.

Top photo by Kevin Argue