Yamaha Junior Original Concert (By Dr. Robert Best)

Teaching students for “JOC” (Junior Original Composition) Yamaha:

by Dr. Robert Best

The secret that I have found for creating many forms of music is to have a convincing storyline. Sometimes titles can suggest the whole storyline. In Joanna’s case, she began her piece “Springtime in the Forest” with a melody and waltz left-hand accompaniment. We discussed what her starting idea meant. Then we began to imagine a magical walk through a nearby forest. The music then began to develop around a story of Joanna dreaming about going on a walk to her favourite forest. What would it feel like? What would she see and experience? We imagined encountering birds, people, someone riding a pony, with warm sunshine filtering through the tree branches. There is a wistful conclusion to the music as she slowly returns back home thinking of the wonderful day she enjoyed.

This type of narrative is very useful for creating musical compositions. It helps to create interesting moments throughout the composition, and sustains the attention of those listening. I have taught students at Yamaha since 2007 and have found that this approach has been mostly successful for teaching Junior Original Composition students. In Joanna’s case, her piece was recognized at this year’s JOC Concert 2019 in Edmonton, AB; a very high honour in Yamaha’s Music program.

Impressions of JOC: (based on consultation with her father Tony Peng who relayed to me Joanna’s impressions of the event) “It was an amazing experience that she enjoyed a lot. It was impressive to see other kids playing and composing at such an advanced level! It made Joanna wonder about how many other kids around her age, within her friend’s group, her school, could play and make such good music. She told me that she had the same feeling after last week’s ensemble competition. There is so much to learn. She is looking forward to learning more and more, and also next year’s music camp, 2020”.