Classical Music for the Modern Child: A Compositional Endeavour

Abstract

This submission for the degree of Master of Philosophy at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, takes the form of a portfolio of original compositions supported by an exegetical commentary on the theme of classical music for the modern child. The starting point for this compositional endeavour was the idea that the repertoire of works in the European classical music tradition is liberally sprinkled with pieces intended to be either performed by or otherwise experienced by children, but these works inevitably tend to relate to earlier periods than the 21st century, and therefore each have their own particular social context and stylistic features. The challenge set for this creative investigation was to explore three ways of reconceiving notions of music for children within the context of the early 21st century in Australia, a time when the experiences and expectations of children are radically different to how they would have been 50, 100 or 150 years ago. The portfolio element of the submission consists of three works (with a total performance time of c. 55 minutes): Little Ida’s Flowers, a children’s ballet; One Step Forward, a piano suite for young learners; and The Space Between the Walls, a suite for string orchestra. Each of the three works approaches the concept of children’s engagement with music from different perspectives, and also aligns with three of the stages of cognitive development as described by psychologist Piaget. The ballet is intended to be experienced by children as passive audience members, whereas the piano and string orchestra suites are written to be experienced as active learners and performers respectively. These works are submitted as fully notated scores. In the case of the ballet, the submitted score represents approximately half of the total planned, full-scale work, and a design for the full version is included in an appendix. This creative project aims to place the child at the centre of the focus of a compositional endeavour, and to create music which reflects the broader classical repertoire as well as specific musical experiences in ways which are both accessible to and engaging for the child. The exegesis discusses contemporary understandings of childhood development, and explores ways in which these understandings can be implemented in the composition of music for children and adolescents.