2011-2012
Music Appreciation
Class Syllabus
Ironwood Ridge High School
Teresa I. Irwin, Director
2475 W. Naranja Drive
Oro Valley, AZ 85742
520/407-4237
Notes from Ms. Irwin
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year. I have developed a great deal of information to share
with the students and teach them about music. It is my goal to share my love for music with these
young men and women. There is a great deal of information in this packet for you as parents and
students. Please read carefully.
Although there is no public performance associated with the class there will be opportunities for
students to share the music they know with the class. We will use I-pods or MP3 players for various
assignments as well as recordings and videos of performances. Students will also have the opportunity
to play piano/keyboards or bring their guitars to school to share the music they know.
I know we will have a great year and I am truly looking forward to incredible things from the
students as we grow and work together. Thank you in advance for your encouragement, commitment and support. If you
have any questions, please give me a call at 407-4237 (school), or email me at tirwin@amphi.com. In emergency
situations you may also reach me at home, 498-0734.
Course Description
Music Theory/Appreciation
(Semester long course, gr. 9-12) Supplies: notebook
This class is for students who have an appreciation for music but don’t want to participate in a performance-based course.
Students will be introduced to the elements of music through exploration of music theory, concert observations, computer
programs, web based instruction, and listening assignments.
Policies
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Materials
1. Students will need a binder with dividers for class.
2. Students are required to have a pencil and an ink pen at their seat during class.
3. Box of tissues
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Grading Policy
1. The grade for this class is determined as follows:
A. Class Participation and Materials –25% of grade
Students are expected to be in class every day. Attendance is the responsibility of the student and
his/her family and a key component to the success of the student. The class discussions, activities
and listening activities are designed with the idea that students are in class. I encourage you to
minimize the amount of class time missed due to scheduled appointments.
Excused absences (please see the IRHS Attendance Policies in the student handbook) will not result
in the loss of daily points if appropriate make-up work is completed. Students should see Ms.
Irwin to find out what they need to do to make up for the excused absence.
Absence – Limitation:
™ A student may not miss more than 7 unexcused class periods, per class per semester. If a
student accumulates more than seven unexcused absences in a class, the student loses the
opportunity for credit for that class. See Student Handbook for more information.
Points lost due to an unexcused absence or tardy cannot be made up.
™ Tardy Policy
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Students are expected to come prepared for class. Students are expected to be seated and
ready to go by the time the bell rings. Any student coming in late without a pass will be
marked tardy.
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A tardy is defined as a student not being in their seat when attendance is being taken.
B. Assignments – 50% of grade
Included in the area of assignments is the following:
All assignments are due on the due date given. Some assignments will be done in class. Most
assignments will be homework. Late assignments will not be accepted.
C. Performance Attendance – 10% of grade
Students are required to attend one concert each 9 weeks to critique. This concert can be one of the
many free concerts that the students of IRHS perform each semester or can be one that I have approved
in the community.
D. Quizzes and Tests – 15% of grade
Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced. There will be a mid-term exam at the end of the first
9 weeks and a final exam at the end of the semester.
2.
Points will be assigned for each area as follows:
Class Participation points = 25 points daily
Assignment points vary per assignment
Performance attendance = 100 points per concert
Final exam points = 100 points
Quiz = varies per quiz
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Class Rules / Expectations
1. Students will treat each other, the room and all materials with respect at all times.
2. Students will be on time to class.
3. Seating order will be assigned during the first week of school. Seating will be done according to teacher choice
and can be changed at any time. Students must sit in their assigned seat at all times.
4. LISTEN to the teacher at all times. Talking while the teacher is speaking or giving instructions is NEVER
appropriate.
5. No CD, MP3, phones or other devices allowed during class. Absolutely no sending or receiving of text messages.
6. Take a MATURE ATTITUDE toward correction. Don't be a "know it all."
7. Class is not over until the teacher dismisses it. Don't begin to put your things away until instructed to do so.
8. No food or drinks allowed in the room. You may bring a water bottle.
9. No horseplay or vulgarity. Be a good example, others are watching you.
10. No gum allowed in class.
11. Always be prepared for class
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Consequences
a. 1st Offense – student is spoken to and warned to control behavior
b. 2nd Offense – student is spoken to and lunch detention with me is given
c.
3rd Offense – student is spoken to, a referral to an administrator is written up and parents are called
d. If the behavior is of a serious nature where someone is hurt or a student is insubordinate, an immediate
referral to the office is given.
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Cheating
Cheating in any way is unacceptable. Cheating is defined as copying and using someone else’s work as your own
and includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead a teacher in arriving at an accurate assessment of student
achievement. This includes but is not limited to copying from the Internet, someone’s paper, or a book, magazine or
newspaper. It also includes writing on oneself answers to possible test questions. Students are expected to do their
own work. Anyone caught cheating will receive a “zero” for the assignment or test and a referral to the office will be
written.
Overview of the units to be
taught for the year
Students will be working on the following:
1st 9 weeks - Introduction to Music Appreciation
A. Music Enjoyment
How does music enrich our lives?
How does music allow for self expression?
Where do you hear music?
How does music affect your life?
What do you know about music?
B. Music Reflects Culture
What is Call and Response?
How can music teach us about other
cultures?
What aspects of music are common among all
cultures?
How does the music you listen to reflect your
culture?
C. Music Notation
Why is notated music considered to be the
only world-wide language?
How has music notation evolved?
q The musical alphabet
q Note Names
q Note Values
q History of music notation
D. Introduction of the Piano Keyboard
q Keyboard use and training
q Key names and positions
° 2 Black key sets
° 3 Black key sets
q Octaves
q Right hand / Left hand use
° Finger numbers
q Middle C
E. Experiencing Music
How do you experience music?
How do you listen to music?
Do you know what perceptive listening is?
What is a casual listener?
How does a music critic evaluate music?
F. Careers in Music
° Performance
° Management
° Promotion/Marketing
° Composition
° Recording Engineer
G. The Rhythm of dance
Why is rhythm important?
What does dance have to do with
rhythm?
How good are you at distinguishing
rhythmic differences?
What does rhythm have to do with style?
H. Technology in Music
What role does technology play in music
today?
q Students will learn to use Sibelius,
Musition 2 and Aurelia Software in
learning music theory and appreciation
q Recording
q Synthesized Sounds
q Electronic Music
q Digital Technology
q Sampling
q MIDI
q Music videos
2nd 9 Weeks
A. How does a Composer Work
q Inspiration
q Musical Form
o ABA
o Strophic
o Verse Refrain
o Da Capo
o Theme and Variation
o Fugue
q Lyrics
q Software for composing
B. Composers and Song Writers
q Medieval Period (450-1450)
o Gregorian chant
o Plainsong
q Renaissance (1450-1700)
o Praetorius
o Weelkes
o Palestrina
o Monteverdi
q Baroque Period (1600-1750)
o Monteverdi
o Bach
o Handel
o Vivaldi
q Classical Period (1750-1825)
o Haydn
o Mozart
o Beethoven
o Schubert
q Romantic Period (1825-1900)
o Schubert
o Brahms
o Mehdelssohn
o Berlioz
o Smetana
o Dvorak
o Tchaikovsky
o Mussorgsky
o Rimsky-Korsakov
o Chopin
q Opera Composers
o Verdi
o Wagner
o Puccini
q
French Impressionism
o Debussy
o Ravel
q 20th Century
o Stravinsky
o Schoenberg
o Gershwin
o Copland
o Barber
o Bernstein
C. Styles of Music
q Jazz
q Music of Love
q Sacred Music
q Music in Ceremony
q Opera
q Rhythm and blues
q Hip-Hop
q Rap
q Salsa
q Commercials
q Musical Theatre
q Film Music
D. Music in Society
q Folk Music
q Protest Music
q Jingles
q Political
E. Technology in Music - Continued
Parent Acknowledgment Form
Please take this form home and have your parents sign it. You also need to sign the form
and return to Ms. Irwin. This form is due Monday, August 15, 2011 or the next class
meeting day if you come after August 15th, 2011. Points will be lost for failure to return
this form on time. This is my way of knowing that you are aware of the requirements for
the coming year.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information
regarding the Music Appreciation Class Policies.
Print Student Name
Student Signature
Date
Parent Signature
Date
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