MUSIC APPRECIATION A (6500)
Grade Level: 9 – 12
Type of Course: Elective
Length: semester
Prerequisite: none
Music Appreciation is designed for non-musicians and develops the skill of critically
listening and responding to musical compositions. Students will have the opportunity to listen
to, analyze, and describe music and other aural information, using the terminology of music. In
addition, students will analyze the role of music in past and present cultures throughout the
world, noting cultural diversity as it relates to music, musicians, and composers. Students will
derive meaning from works of music and the performance of musicians in a cultural context
according to the elements of music, aesthetic qualities, and human responses. (California
Department of Education, Content Standards in Music)
This is an introductory course, meeting four class hours per week that includes instruction in the
following formats: lecture, guided reading, audio-visual presentation, class projects, journalreflection and live performances critique requirement. Class discussions will cover the
historical, cultural and societal impact specific works of music have on western culture through
the lives of representative composers.
I.
II.
III.
COURSE OUTLINE
• Analytical report and presentation
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
• Lecture
• Guided reading and weekly vocabulary quizzes in the terminology unique to music
• Blog/Journal - reflection
• Course Digital Binder/Portfolio
• Group-work
• Listening Tests: mid-term & final
EVALUATION OF STUDENT WORK
A. The final grade is based on two listening exams given at the mid-term and final
exams in the semester. In addition to listening exams, there are weekly online
vocabulary quizzes taken from the guiding reading selections.
B. Students are required to take notes during specific class periods to be used as study
materials for the Listening Exams. A minimum four page term paper on a
predetermined topic is due midway through the course.
C. The final grade will also take into consideration class participation and classroom
conduct and behavior. Class participation will include, but is not limited to Journal
Quick-writes, Course Binder and in-class group work.
Course-wide Enduring Understandings
1. Students will listen to, analyze, and describe music and other aural information, using the
terminology of music.
2. Students will experience a varied repertoire of music, using digital/electronic technology
when appropriate.
3. Students analyze the role of music in past and present cultures throughout the world.
4. Students derive meaning from works of music and the performance of musicians in a
cultural context according to the elements of music, aesthetic qualities, and human
responses.
Course-wide Essential Questions
1. How are the principles and subject matter of music and various disciplines outside the
arts are interrelated?
2. How do people in a particular culture use and respond to specific musical works from
that culture?
3. How have the roles of musicians and composers changed or remained the same
throughout history?
4. What are appropriate terminology and use of musical elements used to describe music?
5. What compositional devices and techniques are used to provide unity, variety, tension
and release in musical examples?
Unit 1 Music of the West: 1600 – 20th Century
• Describe the means used to create images or evoke feelings and emotions in
Enduring
musical works from various cultures.
Understandings
• Explain ways in which the principles and subject matter of music and various
“Students will
disciplines outside the arts are interrelated.
understand
• Analyze and explain how and why people in a particular culture use and
that…”
respond to specific musical works from their own culture.
• Explore how people in a particular culture use and respond to specific musical
Essential
works from that culture
Questions
• Compare and contrast the social function of a variety of music forms in various
“Students will
cultures and time periods.
explore…”
• Analyze the role and function of music on Internet, television, and other media.
• Analyze and describe the use of musical elements in a given work that makes it
unique, interesting, and expressive.
Knowledge
• Analyze how the roles of musicians and composers have changed or remained
Expectations
the same throughout history.
“Students will
• Analyze the stylistic features of a given musical work that define its aesthetic
know…”
traditions and its historical or cultural context.
• Compare and contrast the musical means used to create images or evoke
feelings and emotions in works of music from various cultures.
• Identify and explain a variety of compositional devices and techniques used to
provide unity, variety, tension, and release in aural examples.
Skill Expectations
• Take effective lecture notes from instructor and/or audio examples of
“Students will be
representative compositions.
able to…”
• Analyze and describe the use of musical elements and expressive devices (e.g.,
articulation, dynamic markings) in aural examples in a varied repertoire of
Assessments
•
•
•
•
•
•
music representing diverse genres, styles, and cultures.
Compare and contrast musical characteristics.
Self-reflection Journal
Vocabulary Quizzes
Listening Exam
Individual Term Paper and Presentation
Course Portfolio (rubrics)
Unit 2: American Musical Theater
• Describe the means used to create images or evoke feelings and emotions in
Enduring
musical works from various cultures.
Understandings
• Explain ways in which the principles and subject matter of music and various
“Students will
disciplines outside the arts are interrelated.
understand
• Analyze and explain how and why people in a particular culture use and
that…”
respond to specific musical works from their own culture.
• Explore how people in a particular culture use and respond to specific musical
Essential
works from that culture
Questions
• Compare and contrast the social function of a variety of music forms in various
“Students will
cultures and time periods.
explore…”
• Analyze the role and function of music on Internet, television, and other media.
• Analyze and describe the use of musical elements in a given work that makes it
unique, interesting, and expressive.
Knowledge
• Analyze how the roles of musicians and composers have changed or remained
Expectations
the same throughout history.
“Students will
• Analyze the stylistic features of a given musical work that define its aesthetic
know…”
traditions and its historical or cultural context.
• Compare and contrast the musical means used to create images or evoke
feelings and emotions in works of music from various cultures.
• Identify and explain a variety of compositional devices and techniques used to
provide unity, variety, tension, and release in aural examples.
• Take effective lecture notes from instructor and/or audio examples of
Skill Expectations
representative compositions.
“Students will be
•
Analyze and describe the use of musical elements and expressive devices (e.g.,
able to…”
articulation, dynamic markings) in aural examples in a varied repertoire of
music representing diverse genres, styles, and cultures.
• Compare and contrast musical characteristics
• Self-reflection Journal
• Vocabulary Quizzes
Assessments
• Listening Exam
• Group project and presentation
• Course Portfolio (rubrics)