2015-2016
Instructor: Mr. Girtain
Room: 130
Email: girtaine@northernhighlands.org
Phone: 201-327-8700 x424
Meeting Time: Period 6
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Full year elective course.
Music is everywhere. Enter a concert hall, a restaurant, a house of worship, or even your own living room, and you will be sure to hear it piping out some electronic speaker or acoustic instrument. It comes in limitless varieties and accompanies all facets of human life from our most mundane annoyances (advertisements) to our most valued rituals (funerals). As a cultural phenomenon it has existed as long as there have been humans. The cavemen from pre-history made it, and the people of the future will, too. Thus by learning about music we stand to gain valuable insight into an inseparable part of the human experience, thereby enriching our understanding of both ourselves and the world around us.
In this course, Honors Music Theory, we will explore the beginnings of true musical understanding. To speak practically, this means that we will gain literacy. Much as we do when we learn the English language, we will learn to read and write music. We will learn how to use the piano keyboard as we once learned to hold a pencil. We will also learn to write down the music that we hear (dictation), and be able to express what written music sounds like from merely seeing it on a page. We will acquire a new, musical lexicon. Finally, we will learn the basics of music in historical practice: how it is organized into forms, harmonies, and ideas.
This is an introductory course. It will begin with fundamental concepts of music theory: reading music, the piano keyboard, simple aural dictation. Once these skills are mastered, the course will move on to more advanced and abstract concepts such as harmony, counterpoint, score analysis, and harmonic/melodic dictation.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1.
Fundamental Terminology and Notational Skills a.
Notate and identify pitches in four clefs: treble, bass, alto, and tenor. b.
Notate, hear, and identify simple and compound meters. c.
Notate and identify all major and minor key signatures. d.
Notate, hear, and identify the following scales: chromatic, major, and the three forms of minor. e.
Name and recognize scale degree terms, e.g., tonic, supertonic, etc.

f.
Notate, hear, and transpose the following modes: Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and
Mixolydian (authentic forms only). g.
Notate, hear and identify whole tone and pentatonic scales. h.
Notate, hear, and identify all perfect, major, minor, diminished, and augmented intervals inclusive of an octave. i.
Notate, hear, and identify triads including inversions. j.
Define and identify common tempo and expression markings in Italian, German, and French.
2.
Compositional Skills a.
Given a cantus firmus, compose a contrapuntal line in up to third species. b.
Realize a figured bass according to the rules of eighteenth-century chorale style, major or minor key. c.
Harmonize a four-part chorale with appropriate chords given a single melodic line. d.
Realize a four-part chorale-style progression from Roman and Arabic numerals. e.
Create a free composition, rhythmic or melodic, within fixed guidelines that adheres to common practice rules, OR departs from rules in a clearly decided and artistic way
3.
Score Analysis a.
Notate, hear, and identify authentic, plagal, half, and deceptive cadences in major and minor keys b.
Identify in score the following no harmonic tones: passing tone (accented and unaccented), neighboring tone, anticipation, suspension, retardation, appoggiatura, escape tone, changing tone, and pedal tone. c.
Small-scale and large-scale harmonic procedures, including: i.
Identification of cadence types (see 3.a) ii.
Roman-numeral and figured bass-analysis, including nonharmonic tones, seventh chords, and inversions. iii.
Identification of key centers and key relationships; recognition of modulation to closely related keys d.
Melodic organization and developmental procedures (inversion, retrograde, sequence, etc.) e.
Rhythmic/metric organization: i.
Identification of meter type (duple, triple, etc) and beat type (simple, compound) ii.
Identify rhythmic devices and procedures (augmentation, diminution, hemiola) f.
Texture: i.
Hear and identify types (e.g., monophony, homophony, polyphony, rhythm
4.
Aural Skills and accomp.) ii.
Hear and identify devices (textural inversion, imitation) a.
Detect pitch and rhythm errors in written music from given aural excerpts.

b.
Notate a melody from dictation, six to eight bars, major key, mostly diatonic pitches, simple or compound time, treble or bass clef. Three to four hearings. c.
Hear the following nonharmonic tones: passing tone (accented an unaccented), neighboring tone, anticipation, suspension, retardation, appoggiatura, escape tone, changing tone (cambiata), and pedal tone. d.
Notate the soprano and bass pitches and roman numeral analysis of a harmonic e.
dictation. Features may include seventh chords, secondary dominants, major or minor key. Four hearings.
PRIMARY TEXTS:
Straus, Joseph. Elements of Music, 2 nd ed.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Clendinning, Elizabeth. The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis
Ottman and Rodgers. Music for Sight Singing, 7 th ed.
Laitz, Joseph. The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach to Tonal Theory, Analysis, and Listening
Schoenberg, Arnold. Theory of Harmony
Arlan. Music Sources: A Collection of Excerpts and Complete Movements, 2 nd ed.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
 Manuscript paper
 Pencil and eraser
 Notebook or 1” three-ring binder with paper for notes
 Folder for handouts
 Audio recorder (iPhone acceptable)
 Computer with internet access
CLASSROOM RULES and PROCEDURES:
1.
Arrive to class on time. Be in your seat when the bell rings. Promptly begin working on “do now” as instructed.
2.
Bring a pencil, eraser, and manuscript paper, and due homework to class every day. There
will be no partial credit or late credit for missing homework unless there is a valid excuse (doctor’s note, court appearance, etc.). Homework will be assigned often, but not daily.
3.
To ask a question, or respond to a question from the teacher, please raise your hand and wait quietly to be recognized.

4.
There is no food or drink allowed in the classroom at any time. Exception for water.
5.
Cell phones will be confiscated if used anytime in class, or if ringer or vibration sounds.
No second chances.
6.
At the end of each class, clean your area, and return your desk to its proper location.
7.
You are responsible for keeping your notes current and organized.
8.
Be courteous and respectful to all faculty and students at all times. No negative or derogatory comments will be allowed in the classroom.
9.
Teacher detention will be given for misbehavior, tardiness, or continuous talking or disruption in class. a.
First detention = 15 minutes b.
Second detention = 30 minutes and call home c.
Third detention = visit to Mr. Koth
EVALUATION:
CATEGORY
Four Tests, Including Final
Exam
Eight Quizzes
Homework
Final Composition Project
Mid-Term Interval Recording
Project
Class Participation
Total
POSSIBLE POINTS
400
200
200
100
100
100
1100
EARNED POINTS (Example)
379
160
185
95
100
98
1017 (1017/1100=92%) A
1.
Tests a.
Cumulative tests will be administered once per marking period. They will be announced in advance and therefore unable to be made up in case of absence.
Individually, each test will account for approximately 9% of your final grade.
2.
Quizzes a.
Two quizzes will be administered per semester. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. They will not be cumulative, but rather focused on individual topics covered in class.
3.
Homework a.
Homework will be assigned regularly, but not daily. As the most immediate form of feedback they are essential for measuring progress, checking comprehension, and reinforcing material learned in class. No late homework will be accepted for partial or late credit.
4.
Final Composition Project

a.
Successful completion of a final composition project will be required for a passing final grade. The deadline and requirements for this project will be announced well in advance. No late submissions will be accepted. More information to come.
5.
Mid-Term Interval Recording Project a.
Successful completion of the Mid-term project will also be required for a passing final grade. The deadline and requirements for this project will be announced in advance. No late submission will be accepted. More information to come.
6.
Class Participation a.
This grade will be determined by the quality and frequency of your contributions during class. For positive contributions it will go up, and for negative ones it will go down.
ADDITIONALLY:
The contents of this syllabus, including objectives and resources, may be subject to modifications as the school year progresses, the discretion of the instructor. Any modifications to this document will be announced in advance.
EXTRA HELP and OFFICE HOURS:
I will be available for extra help after school Tuesdays and Thursdays, and limited office hours during the school day. If you are struggling, or have any concerns whatsoever, please do not hesitate to let me know. I want you to succeed in this course and will be happy to assist you in any way that
I can.
CONTRACT: To be signed and returned by Wednesday, September 9 th
I, _____________ (print name), have read and understood this syllabus. I understand that I will be solely responsible for the knowledge of its contents. I understand the behavior that is expected of me in class and how my final grade will be calculated. I also understand that if, at any time, I have questions or concerns, Mr. Girtain is available as a first resource to me.
Student Signature:____________________________
Parent Signature:_____________________________
Date:_______________________________________