Compositional process as discourse and interaction: A study of small group music composition processes in a school context

“Compositional Process as Discourse and Interaction” is a\nstudy on compositional processes of pupils working in small\ngroups in a public school music context.\nThe study describes and discusses the main elements of\ncompositional processes, in what ways compositional processes\ndevelop, how they are structured and constructed and\nwhat the connections are between the musical pieces being\ncreated and the process of their creation.\nThis empirical study – inspired by phenomenological, ethnographic\nand socio-cultural theory – bases important parts\nof its findings on the use of ethnographic microanalysis of\nvideo footage. Findings suggest that significant events in the\ncompositional processes can be identified in the form of\nCircle episodes, Focus episodes, Breakthroughs and Blockages,\nthat small group compositional processes are highly\nrelational and circular by nature and that generative activity,\nproductive activity and communicative activity are major\nand equally important characteristics of compositional processes\nin school music.