Abstract
This paper describes the processes used in two composition projects, one with six sections of sixth grade general music, and one with a high school choir of 85 members. In each project a professional composer was partnered with students to assist them in creating music that reflected their musical thoughts without limiting them to their prior musical skills and knowledge. While the students did learn to generate musical ideas and compositional techniques for treating those ideas in a larger context, the primary step in the compositional process that most differed from individual processes was that of revision. Throughout the revision process in group composition students challenge each other's musical ideas and often new musical concepts emerge as students defend their original ideas or seek to reach compromise.
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