Developing musical creativity: The Singapore Young Composers' Project as a case-study

Abstract

Education and the arts are growth areas in Singapore and their interface presents interesting research opportunities for music education. This paper outlines a study of the development of composition within music education in Singapore, describing action research together with two case profiles. These findings are aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies adopted, learning about students' musical decision-making and seeing how creative approaches can enhance music learning. Part 1 of the paper outlines the Project, its background and its operation from 1993-1995. The changing nature of the Project is documented, showing its development in response to need. Part 2 consists of case profiles of two participants. Whilst the Project and the evaluatory research continue, some meaningful conclusions can be drawn, including that the Project needs to allow for wide-ranging ability with some participants aspiring to the level of professional composers; that the group-work and ensemble-playing dimensions fulfil a major need; and that individuals can meet their differing needs from this approach, as the case profiles demonstrate. A refined, three-year project design resulted from these conclusions, attempting to balance group work with the emerging individual need for closer, more personal, guidance. Future research will explore how successful this design has been in meeting those needs.