Music Webquest: Creating a Soundtrack

 

INTRODUCTION

Yesterday I was called to the office to pick up a letter that had been sent to me by registered mail. When I opened the letter and read what was inside, I was very surprised by what I had just read. Mr. Walter Dean Myers, renowned author, wrote to ask us to do a favor for him! This letter has only been sent to us, so we need to carefully consider his offer and decide if we want to help him out.

Here is what he has to say…

Musicland, KS 12345

Harmonia Middle School

Notelandia Area School District

1 Carnival Street

Musicland, KS 12345

To All 8^th Grade Music Students:

Hello!  As someone who loves music just as much as I love reading and writing, I wish to propose to you the idea of creating a soundtrack for my novel entitled “The Beast,” which will emphasize the important roles music has had throughout history and the major impact that it has in our everyday lives. Your teacher and principal loved my idea.  Unfortunately, I have run into some major problems trying to get this project started. Each and every person I have contacted to help me is very busy designing albums of their own. I NEED YOUR HELP!!

I am requesting that your class take on this incredible opportunity. Imagine being able to say that YOU helped design a soundtrack that is sure to be a success. Once you and your class have created the album, you will need to meet with me so that I can make the final approval of your ideas. Then, I will take care of finding the people and materials we need to begin recording.

By using your creativity and knowledge of the different musical genres, I am sure that you will do an excellent job designing a fabulous album. If you decide to take on this task, your teacher will give you instructions for developing the tracks. However, if for some reason you decide that you do not want to take part in this chance of a lifetime, please let me know so that I can choose someone else. It would mean so much to me if we could work together. Thank you for your time. I hope to hear from you soon…

Sincerely Yours,

Mr. Walter Dean Myers

Author

Now that you have read the authors letter, you need to decide if you want to take on this incredible task…

TASK

You and your team have been chosen by Mr. Myers to be the creators of a soundtrack for his popular novel “The Beast.” As a class, we must choose at least 5 genres, each representing a different style or age of music. Your team will research, design, and create a model or C.D. jacket of your selections for the soundtrack. For each age or style of music, your songs should represent each of the following:

The main character’s overall personality.

Another character’s general characteristics.

The primary conflict, capturing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of the novel.

The resolution of, or the solution to, the conflict.

The setting of the story.

The “aha” moment in the story.

PROCESS

Decide as a group which musical genres you would like to feature in your soundtrack. You many choose any genres or styles.  Some examples include Classical, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, Country, Pop, etc.

As a team, research the musical styles you have selected. Each team member will keep a daily journal of your research process. Include questions you have about your music genres and helpful information that will help you design your soundtrack.  Complete a short entry following each work session, describing what was completed, learned, discussed, etc.

When each person has successfully completed his/her role, the team will create a C.D “jacket” giving background information on each piece.  This can be accomplished on paper, computer, or any other creative method you can think of. Present your ideas to your teacher before beginning this portion of the project to make sure all components have been completed.

Finally, each team will present their selections to Mr. Myers, world renowned author, to convince him to use your ideas in the soundtrack to “The Beast.” You may use props, costumes, drama, music, role play, etc. for this presentation. Convince him that we met his challenge and created an outstanding compilation of tunes.

 

EVALUATION

You will be graded on the quality of your group work. (Be sure each team member has done his/her job).  You will also be graded on the daily completion of your individual journals.

The total group portion of this project is worth 60 points. The completion of the individual journals is worth 40 points. This total project will count as one exam grade, equal to 100 points.

CONCLUSION

Now that you have presented your soundtracks to Mr. Myers, he has agreed to compile pieces from each groups efforts to make one outstanding album. After completing all of the research and hard work you have done, you should be proud!

I hope you now realize what an impact music has on our lives. Music really does help define the times we live in, and now you realize how important it is to our lives.

NOTES

This Web Quest is intended for use in the 6^th through 8^th grade general music curriculum. This project will help extend learning and understanding of the different styles and ages of music throughout history, as well as how great of an impact music plays in our everyday lives.