I see, not a composition student. Actually, I wouldn`t know where to begin teaching composition (which is why I don`t teach it.) You could teach all the basic rules of notation, instruments ranges, and expose the student to a wide range of music, but if the basic creativity isn`t there then the results will be mediocre at best.(Which is why I think I`ll just stick to teaching clarinet and piano) This year will be the first time I`ve had composition lessons (I learnt by listening to music, and composing), and it should be interesting to see what my teacher does.

Yes, I do not know where to begin either. I think that one would first have to have a good ear. If one does not have a good ear, then putting down on paper(or in many cases now entering into Finale) could be very tedious. Assuming that a student knows music theory, I suppose that I would start simple. In the style of early classical. Just a simple ABA. You could do this in 24 bars really if you leave off a coda. That would be my beginning method of composition. But I would have a student identify what type of music they would like to compose. And make them listen to it all the time to figure out the minute details. Oh, and of course sit down with the score and listen. To be honest, I guess I have never sat down and thought it out. I would make a much better clarinet pedagogue.

That would probably be a good way to go about it... but if someone had made me do all that stuff when I started composing, I probably would have been turned off it for life.
You could maybe get people to arrange music, too, so that they get an idea of how it`s put together.

Arranging is one good way. I think though that perhaps just coming up with simple 8 bar melodys is good enough. But, having never taught it nor will I ever, I guess I don`t worry too much. I am more concentrated on starting a masters in clarinet.

Im doing my DipABRSM in performing on clarinet. I haven`t prepared my whole program as of yet but I`ve tried the Malcolm Arnold Sonatina (its awesome!) and Weber Concerto No.1. I am 18 yearsold,and I`ve been playing for 9 years.

I`m only about to do 8th Grade AMEB at the moment but currently studying the following in 2nd year BMus
1. Rossini - Introduction, Theme & Variations
2. Weber Concerto 2 - 1st and 3rd movements
3. Arnold - Fantasy
4. Muscynsky (spelling?) - Time Pieces
5. Bernstein - Sonata
6. Horovitz - Sonatine
7. Deak - Sonatina

What is AMEB, and what do you mean by only 8th grade? and Diana i hope i`m doing DipABRSM at 18.

I am going to play grade 5 Royal schools.

i still need a list a but my other to pieces are

gut reaction - paul harris
nr24 exclusive - james rae

they are both kind of jazzy.