Music Appreciation – Fall 2014
Miss Townsend
jacqueline.townsend@keystone.k12.oh.us
Phone – (440) 355-5132 ext. 1149
www.keystonebands.weebly.com
Overview
This course is designed to give students a basic overview of music as a cultural
phenomenon, from basic theory and notation to the history of Western music. Students
will be able to describe and critique all music using the knowledge gained in this course,
and will learn to become informed music consumers.
This course is broken into two parts:
1st Quarter – The Fundamentals of Music
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
Music Vocabulary
Melody
Harmony
Rhythm
2nd Quarter – The History of Western Music
8.) The Middle Ages
9.) The Renaissance Era
10.) The Baroque Era
11.) The Classical Era
5.) Form
6.) Voices/Instruments/Ensembles
7.) Midterm Project Presentations
12.)
13.)
14.)
The Romantic Era
The Early 20th Century
Contemporary Music
15.)
Final Project Presentations
Materials Needed
Three-ring binder
Dividers (15 total – labeled with each topic listed above)
Notebook Paper
Pencils
Planner
Listening Journal (to be passed out in class)
Student Ethics and Other Policy Information
This course adheres to the student code of conduct and academic policies set forth by
Keystone High School. These policies can be found in the Keystone High School Student
Handbook and Planner.
Classroom Rules and Expectations
16.)
17.)
18.)
19.)
20.)
21.)
22.)
23.)
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25.)
Be in your assigned seat by the bell
Stay in your seat until the bell has rung
Use the restroom before and after class. The teacher reserves the right to
deny passes to students.
Raise your hand and wait to be called upon by the teacher.
Have all necessary materials every day.
All assignments will be completed and turned in by the due date. Late
assignments will be accepted with a reduction in the grade by one letter
per day.
Refrain from touching all equipment (i.e. instruments, music stands,
stereo, computers, etc.) in the music room area unless permission is
granted by Miss Townsend
Horseplay, arguing, or any other inappropriate behavior is prohibited.
Electronic devices are permitted for educational uses per the Keystone
High School Handbook BYOD policy. If a student is using a device
inappropriately (i.e. videotaping, social networking, etc.) the teacher
reserves the right to take the device away.
When listening to musical excerpts, you are expected to listen quietly and
thoughtfully – talking is not only disrespectful, but will cause you to miss
something important!
Course of Disciplinary Action
1st Offense: Verbal warning
2nd Offense: Detention, time selected by the teacher, with a call home to your
parents/guardians
rd
3 Offense: Visit to Mr. Kohler’s office
**More severe infractions will result in a student being sent directly to the viceprincipal’s office.
Grading
Grades in this class will be primarily based on the following elements:
Presentations………………………120-150 points each
Worksheets………………………...10-20 points each
Quizzes/Tests………………………20-40 points each
Listening Journal…………………..10 points per entry
Binder……………………………..100 points
Binder
You are REQUIRED to keep a well-organized binder for this class. The binder should be
divided into sections for each unit we study. You are expected to take your own notes in
this class. These notes will be your best study guide for any quizzes/tests we have! Keep
plenty of notebook paper in your binder and always have a writing utensil. The notebook
will be turned in at the end of the semester for a grade based on organization and
completion. Keep it organized now and throughout the semester, and this should be an
easy grade for you!
Extra Credit
There are two ways to earn extra credit in this class: Friday Music Sharing and Concert
Attendance. Friday Music Sharings are worth up to 5 points each. To earn these points,
you must bring in a piece of music of your choice (on a CD, an mp3 player, or an
approved YouTube link) and share it with the class, making sure to connect it with topics
discussed in class. You may do this up to five times per quarter.
2nd Quarter
1st Quarter
Another way to earn extra credit is to attend a concert. This is not limited to any specific
genre of music, although hopefully you will branch out and listen to new types of music
as a result of this course! Bring in a copy of the program or ticket stub (to prove you
actually attended the concert), along with a short summary (1 page, typed, size 12 font,
double-spaced) describing what you heard and what you thought of it. These can be
worth up to 15 points each. You may do this once per quarter.
COURSE SCHEDULE**
Week 1 (8/26 – 8/29)
Introduction; Listening to and describing music
Week 2 (9/2 – 9/5)
Basic notation / Music Vocabulary Terms
Week 3 (9/8 – 9/12)
Instruments/Voices/Ensembles
Week 4 (9/15– 9/19)
Melody
Week 5 (9/22 – 9/25)
Rhythm
Week 6 (9/29 – 10/3)
Harmony
Week 7 (10/6 – 10/10)
Form
Week 8 (10/13 – 10/16)
Work on First Quarter Project
Week 9 (10/20 – 10/24)
First Quarter Project Presentations
Week 10 (10/27 – 10/31)
The Middle Ages
Week 11 (11/3 – 11/7)
The Renaissance
Week 12 (11/10 – 11/13)
The Baroque Era
Week 13 (11/17 – 11/21)
The Classical Era
Week 14 (11/24 – 11/25)
The Romantic Era
Week 15 (12/1 – 12/5)
The Romantic Era, Cont’d
Week 16 (12/8 – 12/12)
The Early 20th Century**
Week 17 (12/15 – 12/19)
Contemporary Music**
Week 18 (1/5 – 1/9)
Work on Final Project Presentations**
Week 19 (1/12 – 1/15)
Presentations**
**Subject to change per possible new Midterm Exam Schedule
Absences
Because much of what we do in this class requires you to LISTEN and RESPOND to the
music instantly, you will not be required to complete many activities for make-up work,
should you miss class. However, you WILL be required to obtain the worksheets/notes
you missed. These can be found in the filing folders on the counter. You are responsible
for checking it for any missed worksheets you may need. Of course, any quizzes or tests
that you missed will need to be made up the next day you are in school.
Class Website
Please also feel free to use the class website, which will be a sub-page on the Band
Website. This will be updated to include audio examples heard in class, copies of notes
given, etc. Feel free to use this to supplement your studies! The address is below:
www.keystonebands.weebly.com
Click on “HS Music Appreciation”