8th Grade Music Syllabus
Welcome to General Music Class. (Room 223). Mrs. Marcone. Below is a list of topics that will
be covered, along with materials used and needed for the class. You will also find the grading
categories. Please review this information and maintain this document at the front of your music
binder. Good Luck!
Mrs. Marcone
Items/Materials Needed for Class:
 3 ringed binder with pockets (if you had one last year, you will need to update it.)
 Pencils (at all times!)
 3 holed notebook paper
 Tabbed separators for each subject covered
1. World Music History
 Students will be given an overview of the historical periods of music
 Students will break into small groups to research and present one of the periods in
detail including biographical data about the composers of that era.
 Students will complete a bulletin board displaying the chronological sequence of the
periods and the composers.
 Students will demonstrate musical examples of their research.
Test
Students will receive a review sheet containing the detail of their findings. The test will
contain all pertinent information discussed during the presentations.
2. Keyboarding/Music Theory
 Students will continue their studies of keyboarding concepts and music theory.
 We will discover construction of the natural “minor” scale and its relation to it’s
relevant major key.
 Students will demonstrate various scales and proceed with their study of chord
construction.
 Students will learn to stack chords and recognize their “roman” numeral scale
degree of a key.
Demonstration Quizzes and Tests
 Students will demonstrate their ability to play major scales of C, G, F, A, and E.
They will also demonstrate the natural MINOR scales of c, g, f, a, and e.
Students will play chords for the keys of C, G, F, Bb, a minor, d minor, and c
minor.
 Test will be given on the theoretical concepts of chord construction using chords
I, ii, IV, and V.
3. Sibelius – (Music Composition Software)
 Students will learn the basic concepts of Sibelius and how to create musical
compositions. (Demonstrations)
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Using their theoretical knowledge, students will create a music composition
containing a melodic line and chord structure.
Students may also compose lyrics to their creation.
Students will view examples of completed compositions before working on their
own composition.
Tests/Quizzes
Students tested on knowledge gained from creating the composition and
classroom instruction. Identify components of the software and steps used to create
scores.
4. Guitar
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Students will continue their study of the guitar first by reviewing chords learned last
year.
E major, e minor, G, C, D, D7, A and a minor.
Students will learn new chords using the “barred technique”
b minor, F major are the home chords and they progress chromatically up the fret
board.
Students will learn other basic chords such as: B major, F major, C7, E7, d minor
Students will learn simple finger-picking patterns using chords G, em, am, D7 and
G.
Tests/Quizzes
Assessment one on one will measure student understanding and progress.
(Topics covered in sequence or randomly)
Grading:
You will be graded on the following categories:
Class Participation (40%) – this includes behavior during class, note taking, listening skills,
and your interest and interaction during discussions. This is the most important grade for this
class.
Notebook (30%)– you will be required to keep an organized notebook displaying your ability
of preparedness. The notebook MUST be brought to every class, unless otherwise instructed.
Failure to attain and provide a notebook for this class will result in a reduction of your grade by
one letter. Notebooks will be checked randomly throughout the marking period.
Tests (20%) – there will be very few tests in this class. That is why the CP and the Notebook
categories are very important to your grade.
Responsibility (10%) – you will be graded on how well you take care of the equipment and of
your respect for the tools used in the music classroom.
Classroom Rules:
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No gum chewing
Find your seat and prepare for lesson in a timely manner
Attentiveness during Instruction Time
Respect for your Classmates
Raise your hand for questions or to comment.
No disorderly conduct.
Please take this form and review with your parent or guardian and then place it in the front of
your binder for reference.
Good luck in your new music class!
Mrs. Marcone
I read and understand the music classroom rules and the syllabus content.
Signed: _____________________
Parent Signature: ____________________________