INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC: WHAT

INSPIRES YOU?

Introduction What is one thing that everyone shares in this world? Sure we all have

money we can spend, or trends we follow, but what is one thing that every culture has

that is always a constant? Music.

Music is something that is always constant in this world. No matter what

kind of music you listen to, whether its folk music, classical, rock, rap, country it all

has something in it that can touch each and everyone of our lives

The music that we will focus on in the quest for deepening our musical

understanding is Inspirational Music.

Where does inspirational music come from you ask? Well truth be told it can come

from anywhere. That’s really what music is all about is something that inspires you to

put words down on a piece of paper.

It could be inspiration to praise in the lord. You could be inspired by something that

is happening in your life right now. Anyway you look at it, it is something that cause a

reaction inside of you and forces you to look deeper in to the important things in life.

Your Quest for Inspiration

Your Quest for inspiration begins here. On the next slide are some sites that deal

with inspirational poems and texts that you may use in you endeavors to create a

composition of inspiration.

But before we do that lets brainstorm with some questions that will help get the

creative mind in gear. You will answer these and turn them in with your text or

poem choice. If you wish, you may use something that you wrote but be sure to

check with the professor first.

What inspires you?

Is there good and bad inspiration?

How can you determine if something inspires you or not?

Helpful Links

Here are some helpful links to get you started in finding a Poem and or Word

setting for the text portion of your Composition.

Our Deepest Fear

Inspirational Poems

Inspirational Stories

YouTube-Inspirational

Quotes or Music

Remember these are just ones to get you started. Make sure that you discuss your

choices with your professor to the poems or word setting you wish to use before

you start. Note: if the poem or word setting is long you do not have to work the

entire thing. You may choose a set of stanzas or parts of your poem or word

setting to set your composition to.

Your Task

Now that you have picked out a text setting that in some way inspires you, you will

now begin writing a musical composition that goes along with your text setting.

You may work in small groups (4 person max) or you may work individually

You are to generate a composition that is at least 16 measures long – it may be longer

if necessary.

Note: you can use repeats but that will not count as your 16 measures. In

other words you need to have at least 16 individual measures.

You will create a melodic line and you will develop a harmonic line or develop

harmonies along with it.

If you wish you may write an instrumental part with it but this is not a requirement.

(you may receive some extra credit points though! Hint hint!)

The Composition

REQUIREMENTS:

• Write a functional melody for your poem or word set

• Think of phrasing and rhythms that work with your lyrics

• Your final product should be singable by each musician involved.

• Remember to write in a range that is comfortable to sing in

• Don’t forget to be a musician!

• Add dynamics and phrasing to your composition and singing

• When working in a group:

Listen to each other‐ offer the group some insight on what works

best with range and other details of your voice.

• When working alone:

Seek advice: Ask a peer if they could listen in on your ideas and ask

them if they have any suggestions

• Have fun! Enjoy yourself as you further explore the intricacies of music

and composing and arranging

Assessment Here is the grading rubric for your composition

Catagory 10 Points 8 Points 6 Points R ‐ Redo Music Notation All notes are written

neatly using proper

barline placement.

Parts are written to

accommodate each

musician well. Part

writing works well.

Most notes are

written clearly using

the proper barline

placement. Few errors

using proper notation.

Notes are written

clearly, but barline

placement is often

incorrect. Notation

has reoccurring

errors.

Notes are written in a

sloppy and illegible

manner. Barline

placement is not

correct. Needs to be

resubmitted.

Meter and

Rhythm

All measures have the

correct # of beats

and a variety of

rhythms are used.

Including the use a

rhythmic variety.

85% of measures

have the correct # of

beats and a variety of

rhythms are used.

Including the use of

Whole, Half, Quarter,

and eighth notes.

70% of the measures

have the correct # of

beats. Rhythms are

very basic and do not

expand beyond

quarter notes.

Under half of the

measure have the

correct # of beats.

Composition needs to

be edited and

resubmitted.

Overall

Performance

The composition was

creative, clean/easy to

read, and included all

required elements.

The melody fit well

with the lyrics.

The composition was

somewhat creative

and legible. Most of

the required elements

were included. The

lyrics were

rhythmically awkward

in a few places.

The composition was

very basic and

somewhat legible to

read. At least half of

the required elements

were included. No

fluidity in melody and

lyrics.

The composition was

not complete, and

very difficult to read.

Under half of the

required elements

were included. Project

will needs to be

revised.

Closing

• We have learned so many things throughout this journey that I

hope has inspired you to think deeper into the meanings songs

• Remember that everything in life has a meaning, you just have

to be willing in trying to find it

• And who knows? Maybe through what you have learned and

how you apply it later in life could lead you to the point where

we are singing and learning about something inspirational that

you have learned in life along the way…