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Hannah K. Wery


Mrs. Corbett


9 April 2012


AP Literature


                                  Senior Project Speech


       Hello, my name is Hannah Wery, and my senior project was to create my very

own choral composition. I have always been fascinated by music. My parents tell me that

when I was little, I would close my eyes, sit quietly, and listen to music. My love for

music has only grown since then, especially in middle school when I first experienced

All-State Chorus. My experience with the best choral students in the state has really

inspired my zeal for classical and choral music. Ever since then, I have pursued a greater

understanding of music theory and composition as well as singing opera.


       The topic of my research paper was the benefits of an education in music. I found

some very interesting facts while researching this topic, and I was glad to discover how

music can be a positive factor in the lives of others. By gaining an education in music

myself, I will have knowledge to pass on to others and help be a positive influence in

their lives as well. With this in mind, I decided to teach a freshman at Creekview about

music theory. This helped with my composition because I observed how singers in a

choir connect to a piece of music, so by seeing how this girl connected to the music she

sang, I was able to write something more personal. The composer of a piece of music

should connect with its singers or instrumentalists the way an author connects with his
readers. Music education also improves the overall functioning of the brain, including

auditory skills, emotional intelligence, the learning of languages, and ability in

mathematics. For example, a College Entrance Examination Board in Princeton, New

Jersey looked at the SAT scores of college-bound high school seniors and discovered that

musicians scored 57 points higher on the test's verbal section and 41 points higher in

math. Music can even be used to cure mental illnesses through the practice of music

therapy. By having a career in music, I feel that I will be doing something good for the

world.


         My final product is my very own music composition. It is SATB, which stands for

soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. This division of choir voices is used in many classical

pieces and modern pieces alike. It is also one of the more complex divisions of voices

because each melodic line has to coincide with all the other parts so that it makes sense

harmonically. This was probably the most challenging part about creating my product

because it required a good amount of brain power. What most people fail to recognize

about musicians and their work is the difficulty of analyzing chords and putting them

together in a way that sounds pleasing to the ear. A music composer needs a decent

amount of intelligence and capability to do his or her job well. I chose this as my project

because I wanted to be better prepared for college, where I intend to major in music

composition. I also wanted to expand my skills as a musician and create something

beautiful.


         The creative part of this project was by far my favorite. My first step to

composing music, and the most important, was inspiration. Without it, a musician can get

the feeling of having "writer's block" and become frustrated. As cliche as this may sound,
the best way to begin writing a piece is to just "let it come to you." The second step for

me was to develop a central theme. Once I knew what I wanted my song to be about, I let

the words come to me as poetry. The words inspired a melody, which I was able to

transcribe onto sheet music. Next came harmonic dictation. Roman numeral analysis is a

technique used in music theory to analyze chord progressions, and I used this to help me

hear in my head what I wanted the piece to sound like. Once I had a general idea for what

I wanted my song to sound like, I began putting in the notes using this online software

called noteflight.com. After this, I was able to write the other voice parts so that they

complemented the melody. Finally, I finished the piano part, and the piece was complete.

Of course, there was a great deal of revision involved, which transformed my piece from

a mere rough draft to a rather impressive composition for a beginning composer, if I do

say so myself.


        My project facilitator was none other than Rob Opitz, the band director at

Creekview. I chose him as my facilitator because he is my AP music theory teacher this

year, and I feel that he has already taught me much more than just what is on the AP test.

Also, he especially pushed the class in the area of composition. Outside of what I learned

in class, we met after class so that we could discuss how my piece was coming along and

how I am improving as a musician and as a composer. He would tell me the changes that

I needed to make, and at first all that revision was frustrating, but in the end, it vastly

improved my composition.


        Despite the planning put into this project, there were some complications. The

greatest challenge I had was working with other people. I made very sure not to

procrastinate on this project; I began it in July. However, I was still required to work
around other people's schedules. For example, my project facilitator is a very busy

person, so finding time for him to help me with my project outside of class was, at times,

a huge difficulty. Also, I could not manage to get an entire choir of people together to

teach them my composition, what with extra-curriculars and the like. But aside from that,

I found that I was able to work efficiently and find plenty of inspiration. Also, with a

degree in music composition, I would not actually need to conduct my pieces; I would

only be required to write them. If I were to need a choir to sing my compositions, I could

access a college choir, especially if I were a music professor. I think that my idea of

compiling high schoolers together to sing my composition was a bit far-fetched,

especially with all the plans our choral director has for us this year.


       As a whole, I learned that music is much more complex than I ever imagined it

would be. Music theory is a very in-depth topic, and there is much more to it than putting

notes on a piece of paper. When people say that Mozart is a genius, it is not because his

fingers simply fell onto the right keys on the piano. Music is not guess work; it is a very

complicated practice with every last note and rhythm carefully crafted to create a

masterpiece.


       I most certainly intend to pursue this topic further. I enjoy helping people, and I

feel that through a career in music, I can put my talent to good use and use music to

positively influence the lives of others. I have learned so much about music and about

myself, as well as what I want to do with my life. I feel that although this project took a

great deal of time away from my studies, it was overall a very enjoyable and fulfilling

experience. I will now be able to begin my freshman year of college knowing more about

music theory and composition than some who have already attended a year's worth of
college music courses. Then when I begin my career in music, I will have the opportunity

to possibly inspire other young musicians the way composers such as Beethoven and

Mozart have inspired me and so many others. I believe that the path I have chosen will

allow me to have a positive impact on the world for as long as I live. When I have

children of my own someday, I plan to educate them in music as well so that they can

have the same benefits that I have had. If you have a child who is interested in singing or

playing an instrument, I highly suggest that you encourage their passion for music.


                                 Thank you for your time.

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Senior project speech

  • 1. Hannah K. Wery Mrs. Corbett 9 April 2012 AP Literature Senior Project Speech Hello, my name is Hannah Wery, and my senior project was to create my very own choral composition. I have always been fascinated by music. My parents tell me that when I was little, I would close my eyes, sit quietly, and listen to music. My love for music has only grown since then, especially in middle school when I first experienced All-State Chorus. My experience with the best choral students in the state has really inspired my zeal for classical and choral music. Ever since then, I have pursued a greater understanding of music theory and composition as well as singing opera. The topic of my research paper was the benefits of an education in music. I found some very interesting facts while researching this topic, and I was glad to discover how music can be a positive factor in the lives of others. By gaining an education in music myself, I will have knowledge to pass on to others and help be a positive influence in their lives as well. With this in mind, I decided to teach a freshman at Creekview about music theory. This helped with my composition because I observed how singers in a choir connect to a piece of music, so by seeing how this girl connected to the music she sang, I was able to write something more personal. The composer of a piece of music should connect with its singers or instrumentalists the way an author connects with his
  • 2. readers. Music education also improves the overall functioning of the brain, including auditory skills, emotional intelligence, the learning of languages, and ability in mathematics. For example, a College Entrance Examination Board in Princeton, New Jersey looked at the SAT scores of college-bound high school seniors and discovered that musicians scored 57 points higher on the test's verbal section and 41 points higher in math. Music can even be used to cure mental illnesses through the practice of music therapy. By having a career in music, I feel that I will be doing something good for the world. My final product is my very own music composition. It is SATB, which stands for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. This division of choir voices is used in many classical pieces and modern pieces alike. It is also one of the more complex divisions of voices because each melodic line has to coincide with all the other parts so that it makes sense harmonically. This was probably the most challenging part about creating my product because it required a good amount of brain power. What most people fail to recognize about musicians and their work is the difficulty of analyzing chords and putting them together in a way that sounds pleasing to the ear. A music composer needs a decent amount of intelligence and capability to do his or her job well. I chose this as my project because I wanted to be better prepared for college, where I intend to major in music composition. I also wanted to expand my skills as a musician and create something beautiful. The creative part of this project was by far my favorite. My first step to composing music, and the most important, was inspiration. Without it, a musician can get the feeling of having "writer's block" and become frustrated. As cliche as this may sound,
  • 3. the best way to begin writing a piece is to just "let it come to you." The second step for me was to develop a central theme. Once I knew what I wanted my song to be about, I let the words come to me as poetry. The words inspired a melody, which I was able to transcribe onto sheet music. Next came harmonic dictation. Roman numeral analysis is a technique used in music theory to analyze chord progressions, and I used this to help me hear in my head what I wanted the piece to sound like. Once I had a general idea for what I wanted my song to sound like, I began putting in the notes using this online software called noteflight.com. After this, I was able to write the other voice parts so that they complemented the melody. Finally, I finished the piano part, and the piece was complete. Of course, there was a great deal of revision involved, which transformed my piece from a mere rough draft to a rather impressive composition for a beginning composer, if I do say so myself. My project facilitator was none other than Rob Opitz, the band director at Creekview. I chose him as my facilitator because he is my AP music theory teacher this year, and I feel that he has already taught me much more than just what is on the AP test. Also, he especially pushed the class in the area of composition. Outside of what I learned in class, we met after class so that we could discuss how my piece was coming along and how I am improving as a musician and as a composer. He would tell me the changes that I needed to make, and at first all that revision was frustrating, but in the end, it vastly improved my composition. Despite the planning put into this project, there were some complications. The greatest challenge I had was working with other people. I made very sure not to procrastinate on this project; I began it in July. However, I was still required to work
  • 4. around other people's schedules. For example, my project facilitator is a very busy person, so finding time for him to help me with my project outside of class was, at times, a huge difficulty. Also, I could not manage to get an entire choir of people together to teach them my composition, what with extra-curriculars and the like. But aside from that, I found that I was able to work efficiently and find plenty of inspiration. Also, with a degree in music composition, I would not actually need to conduct my pieces; I would only be required to write them. If I were to need a choir to sing my compositions, I could access a college choir, especially if I were a music professor. I think that my idea of compiling high schoolers together to sing my composition was a bit far-fetched, especially with all the plans our choral director has for us this year. As a whole, I learned that music is much more complex than I ever imagined it would be. Music theory is a very in-depth topic, and there is much more to it than putting notes on a piece of paper. When people say that Mozart is a genius, it is not because his fingers simply fell onto the right keys on the piano. Music is not guess work; it is a very complicated practice with every last note and rhythm carefully crafted to create a masterpiece. I most certainly intend to pursue this topic further. I enjoy helping people, and I feel that through a career in music, I can put my talent to good use and use music to positively influence the lives of others. I have learned so much about music and about myself, as well as what I want to do with my life. I feel that although this project took a great deal of time away from my studies, it was overall a very enjoyable and fulfilling experience. I will now be able to begin my freshman year of college knowing more about music theory and composition than some who have already attended a year's worth of
  • 5. college music courses. Then when I begin my career in music, I will have the opportunity to possibly inspire other young musicians the way composers such as Beethoven and Mozart have inspired me and so many others. I believe that the path I have chosen will allow me to have a positive impact on the world for as long as I live. When I have children of my own someday, I plan to educate them in music as well so that they can have the same benefits that I have had. If you have a child who is interested in singing or playing an instrument, I highly suggest that you encourage their passion for music. Thank you for your time.