NarrEtudes-Teacher

NarrEtudes – Teacher's Edition
Composed by Timothy Hagen
Illustrated by Catherine Baker
Published by Owl Glass Music

      Each individual—child or adult—possesses an innate ability to respond to works of art in ways that can heighten perception, ignite the imagination, and challenge preconceived notions. Imaginative learning is designed to foster and support such responses by using extended, in-depth engagements with works of art. Through these engagements, students develop an inside understanding of the artistic choices that contribute to the creation of a work of art, and their own imaginations are activated.
      Given that children think in concrete terms, even in their remarkably vivid imaginations, etudes tied to a specific narrative are more appropriate than those that explore varying musical character, a concept too abstract for many, if not all, children. The narrative in this case begins with the ubiquitous children’s song “Three Blind Mice” and expands, following the mice’s adventures after the song ends. Each part of the narrative corresponds to an etude, each of which, in turn, is a variation on the original song. As the narrative changes character from one part to another, so does the music, exploiting various musical techniques to clearly convey the character in question.