Music Theory 2 Second Semester 2013/2014
Mrs. Jennifer Culver
Room 623
330.926.3808, ext. 502083
Cf_culver@cfalls.org
http://www.cfalls.summit.k12.oh.us/olc/class.aspx?id=426&s=552 (teacher website)
Objective
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic elements of music theory. At
the completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Notate music in the proper fashion.
 Identify time signatures, rhythms and note names in various clefs.
 Identify key signatures, major/minor scales, triads and modes.
 Analyze music to determine its structure.
 Compose and harmonize basic melodies.
 Understand the components of music on a technical level, which will in turn create a new
appreciation for the enjoyment of music.
Classroom Expectations
 Respect – give it, get it!
 The best of you and the best of me!
 Be prepared for excellence every single day!
Why Study Music Theory
Why do we study music? What can students expect to get out of this course?
 We study music because it offers us an opportunity for self-expression and is part
of basic human existence.
 This course offers students the opportunity to engage in self-directed, independent
and personalized learning.
 This course allows students to reflect on their individual work ethics, organizational
skills and motivation.
Required Materials
 We have no textbook for this course, so students will need to keep ALL HANDOUTS!
 In order to be prepared for learning, students will need a method to organize all of
their materials (i.e. handouts, project outlines, practice materials, music, etc).
Suggested options include a three ring binder, folder or expandable.
 Writing implement – PENCIL!!!!
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Grading - 90/10
 What does this mean?
o 90% of the grade will be based on mastery of the topics covered in this
course.
o 90% of the grade will be based on practice and work habits.
 What does this look like?
o Instruction
Practice Activity
Review
Assessment
10%
90%
Homework
Quiz/Test
Quiz
Project
Class Activity
o Some assignments may be counted in more than one area or receive more
than one grade.
o Students will be well informed as to how their grade for each assignment will
be determined.
o There are fewer assignments making up the greatest portion of the final
grade. Students will need to take these assessments very seriously and
adequately prepare for them.
 What if a student doesn’t do well on an assignment and it will go into the 90%?
o All students will be offered a “second chance assessment”. This means that
after completing an assignment that will be counted in the 90%, they will
have a chance to redo the work for a higher grade. The following conditions
must be met:
 The student and teacher must agree to a reasonable timeline to
complete the work.
 No work will be made up during the final week of the grading period.
 There will be no zeros given for any assignment counted in the 90% for any reason.
Students MUST complete the work in order to earn credit for the course.
Grading Scale
The following grading scale will be used to determine grades.
Traditional
Letter Grades
A
B
C
D
F
Percentage
(Tests/Quizzes)
90 – 100
89 – 80
79 - 70
69 – 60
59 –
4 Point Scale
(Rubric)
4
3
2
1
0
Definition of Grade
Proficient, exceeds standard
Capable, meets standard
Adequate, making progress
Limited, unable to begin effectively
Poor, no attempt
Student work on projects will be assessed using a rubric. Student achievement on tests/quizzes
will be determined using a percentage. All grades will be entered into Progress Book using a
percentage. (The correlation between these two methods is shown above.)
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Curriculum Schedule
The following outline will serve as our map for our semester together. Every effort will be
made to adhere to this schedule, however adjustments may occur. Please be sure to check the
class bulletin board or website for the most up to date information.
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Unit 1: Introduction to Course and Review (January 21 - 31)
o Course introduction
o Organizational Paperwork
o Learning: Brief introduction/review of the material from Theory I
 Group projects – class work (January 21 – 23)
 Group presentations (January 24 & 27)
o Application: Class activities/exercises – formative assessments (key signature
identification quiz, analysis practice, basic harmonization) (January 28 - 30)
o Test (January 31)
Unit 2: Four-Part Writing (February 3 - 21)
o Learning: Rules of Four-Part Writing and voice leading, transposition review,
harmonization work, alto clef
o Application: Harmonization, transposition and four-part writing project
(Classwork, February 18 - 21)
 Final project due (end of class, February 21)
Unit 3: Secondary Dominants, Altered Chords and Modulation (February 24 –
March 21)
o Part 1 – Secondary Dominants
 Learning: Rules for secondary dominants, four-part writing with
secondary dominants
 Application : analysis of secondary dominants
 Quiz (March 7)
o Part 2 – Altered Chords and Modulation
 Learning: definition and rules of altered chords, progression of
harmony, closely related keys
 Application: analysis of altered chords and modulation
 Quiz (March 21)
Unit 4: Chromatic Harmonization and Altered Sixth Chords (March 31 – April 17)
o Learning: defining chromatic harmonizing and altered sixth chords, harmonic
implications of altered chords
o Application: Harmonization, analysis, score study
o Quiz (April 9)
o Analysis project introduction (April 10)
o Class work on project (April 11 - 17)
o Project due (end of class, April 11)
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Unit 5: Compositional Techniques, Form and Analysis (April 21 – May2)
o Learning: Harmonic influence on form, melodic influence on form, defining
techniques of composition (augmentation, diminution, retrograde, inversion)
and 20th century harmonic techniques
o Application: harmonization, analysis, score study
o Assessment (May 2)
Unit 6: Final Project (May 5 - 30)
o Student choice of final project –
 original composition to be performed by ensemble; piece must be a
minimum of 72 measures and composition must be for a minimum of
four parts.
 detailed analysis of piece of music (piece selected by mutual
agreement of teacher and student), including 3 – 5 page paper on
structure of piece, information about composer and details on the
origin of the composition.
o Project will include check points along the way to monitor student progress.
Final Exam
o Week of June 2 – 5 (specifics TBA – final project will be due at exam time)
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