Compose to Poetry

One (or both) of the compositions is not complete.

Both compositions are complete, but bear little resemblance to their poetic bases. The compositions lack contrast, fail to depict the mood of the selected poems, and/or completely lack musical devices that depict poetic imagery.

Compositions are somewhat successful in depicting the two poems. There may be insufficient contrast between the two pieces or some confusion regarding how the poems’ moods are represented in the musical content. Compositions may lack clear depictions of poetic imagery.

Compositions offer an excellent depiction of the two poems. Like the two poems, the two compositions show clear contrast. The mood of the poems is conveyed by the mood of the music. Compositions use devices that clearly depict imagery from the poems (florid passages that evoke the flight of birds, descending passages that represent walking down stairs, etc.).

Student makes little or no effort to describe the connection between the poems and their musical representations and/or the written reflection is clearly incomplete.

Student’s comments reflect only a cursory description of the connection between the poems selected their musical representations. Few, if any, specific examples are offered. Written reflection is lacking in specificity and depth.

Written reflection is adequate but not in depth. Writing describes the connections between the poems and their musical representations, and there is a general sense that the compositional process was connected to an understanding of the poems’ meanings. There are several specific examples offered and/or explanation of compositional process is vague and less detailed.

Written reflection is thoughtful and well written. The content of the reflection describes deep connections between the poems and their musical representations. Specific examples of compositional choices that are linked to material found in the poems are provided.