Grade 8 Music Composition/Performance Task

Composition/Performance Options:
1. Create and/or play a piece of music in 3/4 time for your instrument. This is called a
minuet. Perform this piece to the class. Use at least five elements of dynamics and
articulation in your piece such as piano,forte, accents, staccato, etc. See the elements
of music board for ideas. See back of this page for typical minuet rhythm.
a. Above and beyond option: Pre-record your piece and conduct it. Conducting
patterns will be on the back of this page. See me for further instructions.

2. Notate the chromatic scale in any key and play it on your instrument.Make sure to find an
appropriate key for your instrument. These scales can be found online. You only need to
perform one octave of the chromatic scale.
a. Above and beyond option: pre-record yourself playing the chromatic scale on
the loop pedal or garageband and improvise on top of your scale. See me for
help.
b. Optionally you can pre-record the chromatic school on a different instrument
and improvise on your instrument or vice versa.

3. Record a chromatic scale on garageband. When recording the chromatic scale, chose an
instrument that fits in the category “tone colours of the world”. You will need to provide
research about the instrument you chose and include this in your presentation. We will most
be familiar with this instrument.
c. Above and beyond option: pre-record yourself playing the chromatic scale on
the loop pedal or garageband and improvise on top of your scale. See me for
help.
d. Optionally you can pre-record the chromatic school on a different instrument
and improvise on your instrument or vice versa.

Success Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

Thinking- planning Unable to use time Somewhat able to use Able to use time wisely Expertly able to use
skills wisely for this project. time wisely for this for this project. time wisely for this
project. project.

Communication-
performance of the
task
Application- ability to
apply their skills in their
performance
Knowledge- of the
musical terms in this
assignment
Unable to Somewhat able to The student is able to Student shows they
communicate their communicate their communicate their are interested in going
understanding of the understanding of the understanding of the above and beyond
musical vocabulary and musical vocabulary and musical vocabulary and expectations by
apply it to a musical apply it to a musical apply it to a musical selecting challenging
performance. performance. performance. next steps.
Performance clearly
demonstrates their
understanding of
musical terminology.

Comments:

Musical Terminology:
Minuet:

Conducting Patterns:

Chromatic Scale:
● A musical scale with twelve pitches where every note is played starting on the first note
and ending on the octave above the first note.
● This scale covers all twelve of the available pitches.

Additional Notes: