The latest on the Fugue

Students have now written a subject for their fugues, and many have written the first countersubject. Many have also added the answer in the second voice. We are keeping the fugue as simple as possible, with only one episode and one re-entry of the subject. Some students chose to base their fugue around a familiar theme from a song, but most have chosen to compose an original subject as well. So far, so good... especially considering that this is the first time many of them have approached a serious composition. I am pleasantly surprised with their efforts to date.

There are a couple of students who are choosing to write a simpler rhythm fugue. My concern is that this could so easily turn into a basic drum beat for a drum set with a short solo in the middle as an episode. On the other hand, if the exposition follows proper form, this could be reasonable, right? I don't see how else to accommodate a couple of my percussionists who are still struggling to learn pitched percussion. Ah, one of the few times I miss having a piano prerequisite for beginning percussionists.

I feel the need to point out that this project has taken off from its original objective, which was to simulate the exposition with simple rhythms created by the students. I am pleased with the progress we have made, and I hope that they continue to take the project through to completion.