Theme & Variations

This semester, 8th graders completed a newly-created unit, a Theme & Variations composition project. Theme & Variations is a musical form from the classical period (1750-1820).  While we used the general structure and concept of the form, students were not bound by all of the musical "rules" of the Classical period. In the project, students created a main theme for piano, which included a melody and an accompaniment pattern based on a selected chord progression.  In each variation that followed the theme, students made alterations to the melody, rhythm, accompaniment, and other musical elements to create a different version of their theme.  Students composed three variations on their theme.  Enjoy their work by playing the videos below!

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