Trio Composition Project Guide
Music Theory I • 4-Day Chronological Project Guide
Trio Composition Project
8 Measures • 4/4 Time
Trio (3 Students)
1
Day 1: Meet with Group & Establish Instrumentation
Learn others' musical strengths • Choose key
Musician 1 & Strength:
Chosen Instrument:
Musician 2 & Strength:
Chosen Instrument:
Musician 3 & Strength:
Chosen Instrument:
Piece Title:
Select Key: [ ] C Major [ ] G Major (F♯) [ ] F Major (B♭)
2
Day 2: Compose & Write Score
Draft on Roadmap below → Transcribe to Page 2 Score!
Scale Notes (Only use these): C: C D E F G A B C • G: G A B C D E F♯ G • F: F G A B♭ C D E F
4-Beat Rhythms (Pick for bars): ♩ ♩ ♩ ♩ (4 quarters) • ♫ ♩ ♫ ♩ • 𝅗𝅥 𝅗𝅥 • ♩ ♩ ♩ 𝄽 (Includes rest!)
Phrase A (mm. 1–4): Question
M1: Start Home Home note (C, G, or F)
M2: Motion Step up / down scale
M3: Energy Leap or groove peak
M4: Breath Rest Degree 2 or 5 + Rest
Phrase B (mm. 5–8): Answer (Variation + Resolution)
M5: The Twist Swap lead or rhythm
M6: Groove Build momentum
M7: Lead-In Step to deg 2 or 7
M8: Home Cadence Hold Tonic home note
3
Day 3: Rehearse as an Ensemble
Polish your performance together
Steady Pulse Count off 4 beats; keep tempo solid without rushing or dragging.
Ensemble Balance Keep accompaniment under the melody so lead part is always heard.
Cues & Cutoff Use visual breath cue on beat 4 to start together; release cleanly on M8.
4
Day 4 (Block Day): Live Performance & Evaluation
20 Points Group Score
| Assessment Category |
Target Expectations (4–5 pts) |
Needs Work (1–3 pts) |
Score |
| 1. Key & Scale Notes |
All pitched notes strictly from C, G, or F; m. 8 ends on tonic. |
Notes outside scale; wrong accidentals; center unclear. |
/ 5 |
| 2. 4/4 Meter & Rhythm |
Strictly 4 beats/bar across all 3 parts; uses ≥3 values + rest. |
Measures have ≠4 beats; no rests; rhythm math errors. |
/ 5 |
| 3. 8-Measure Form |
Exactly 8 bars; Phrase A sets idea; Phrase B provides clear variation. |
Not 8 bars; Phrase B is exact copy or random disjointed bars. |
/ 5 |
| 4. Score & Performance |
3 parts notated on score page; trio performs live with steady pulse & balance. |
Illegible score; performance breakdown; ensemble parts not cohesive. |
/ 5 |
Final Group Evaluation Scale: 18–20 (A) • 15–17 (B) • 12–14 (C) • ≤11 (Revise)
Teacher Comments:
Trio Group Score ____ / 20
Trio Harmony Project Guide • Music Theory I Page 1 of 2
Trio Harmony Project • Official Ensemble Score Day 2 Notation
Title: _____________________________________________ Key: ________
Composers / Ensemble Members:
1: ___________________ • 2: ___________________ • 3: ___________________
PHRASE A: THE STATEMENT (Measures 1–4) PHRASE B: VARIATION & CADENCE (Measures 5–8) Measure 1 Measure 2 Measure 3 Measure 4 (Breath) Measure 5 (Variation) Measure 6 Measure 7 Measure 8 (Tonic) Part 1: (Instrument) Part 2: (Instrument) Part 3: (Instrument) Clef Clef Clef 4 4 4 4 4 4
Trio Harmony Project • Page 2: Final Ensemble Score Manuscript • Turn page 90° clockwise to write • Measures connect vertically across all 3 parts