CREATIVITY, MEANING, AND PURPOSE: MIXING CULTURES IN CREATIVE COLLABORATION

Music composition is embedded into the Viterbo University music theory curriculum to promote active engagement of musical materials. The project accomplishes three basic complementary outcomes: 1) Students will be able to creatively apply and develop the foundations of music theory learned in their first year of university-level music study, 2) Students will develop proficiency using music writing software, and 3) Students will overcome their fear of composition and gain confidence as musicians. Over the course of two semesters, music students are given all the ingredients necessary for the gestation and birth of a musical work that is original and personal. Meaning and purpose, combined with guidance and encouragement, sustain students over a five-month process of developing a concept, composing, editing, and finally performing their works. The "concept" for the 2013-2014 VU sophomore class was a collaborative venture with Mr. Matthew J. Haupert's Poetry & Poetics students at Community Charter Early College High School in Lake View Terrace, CA. Pairing the high school poets with university students added perspective and depth to the VU university theory course; the benefits and outcomes will be the focus of this paper.