Students at Ansbach Elementary compose original music using QuaverEd
ANSBACH, Germany – Second through fifth grade students at Ansbach Elementary School are composing original songs using the Quaver digital music platform, applying key music concepts such as form, tempo, sound bites, musical styles, and key changes in a creative, standards-based program led by Dr. Whitney Mansell, music and art teacher.
Over several instructional visits, students collaborate and experiment with Quaver Music to build their own compositions from the ground up. Beginning with simple patterns and loops, students gradually incorporate more advanced elements, including shifting styles and key changes, while exploring how musical form structures a complete piece. The program highlights hands-on learning and aligns with DoWEA College and Career Ready Standards for Music, which emphasize creating, performing, responding, and connecting.
“The goal is for students to not just learn about music, but to become composers themselves,” said Dr. Whitney Mansell, Music and Art Teacher at Ansbach Elementary. “Quaver Music allows them to experiment with musical building blocks in a way that’s accessible, engaging, and deeply creative.”
Students in grades 2–4 focus on foundational skills—understanding rhythm, layering sounds, and organizing musical ideas. By grade 5, students apply those skills in more complex ways, including a friendly competition to compose an original school theme song. This project challenges students to think critically about audience, mood, and musical identity while showcasing their technical abilities.
“I like creating my own beats and choosing different styles of music,” said Brody K, 4th Grade Student. “It feels like I’m a real music producer.”
The culminating fifth grade project has sparked excitement across campus, as students attempt to capture the spirit of Ansbach Elementary through music. Their work demonstrates growth in creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy—key components of 21st-century learning.
“Our class is trying to make a song that everyone will remember,” said Ava T, 5th Grade Student. “We’re thinking about what makes our school special and putting that into music.”
By integrating technology with artistic expression, the Quaver Music program at Ansbach Elementary empowers students to build confidence, develop musical understanding, and connect their learning to real-world applications. Through composition and creativity, students are not only meeting DoWEA music standards—they are exceeding them, one original song at a time.
