Students need to know that their voice matters to this world and that they can create music that will enhance their community. This project is designed to allow students to engage in small groups to create an original piece of music.  It will comprise elements of composition, improvisation, music theory, musical notation, and performance while working within a group setting. Students will use a digital audio workstation to record, edit, and remix their song.

After viewing the video “Anatomy of an Appalachian Tune.” Virginia Roots: A Journey into Appalachian Music, from Blue Ridge PBS, students will learn to sing several verses of the melody of an Appalachian old-time song. Students will then “piggyback” on the melody and form of an old-time song to create their own verse. Then, students will combine their verses to create a class version of the chosen old-time song.