Description:

Frank Ticheli, composer and Professor of Composition at the USC Thornton School of Music, discusses teaching composition. He explains that since composition is such a mysterious process, it is difficult to teach composition. Ticheli also explains that the head and heart keep the other in check. Also in this segment, he mentions that he teaches craft courses such as counterpoint and orchestration. However, he shares that he usually finds himself trying to figure out students' ambitions and fears about composition and helping them learn composition through that approach. He stresses that one must spend time looking at what's already been accomplished. Constantly staring at a blank page will lead to burn out.