APPOQUINIMINK HIGH SCHOOL
2013-2014 Syllabus
Course: Music Theory I
Teacher: Mr. Ryan Moseley
Contact information:
School phone #: 302-449-3840 ext. 6158
School email address: ryan.moseley@appo.k12.de.us
Class location: F154
Time: 12:50-2:20
AHS Vision Statement: Appoquinimink High School is a school committed to fostering
personal growth through positive character development and the use of state of the art
tools and practices to enable students to make a positive impact on today’s global society.
AHS Mission Statement
Achievement:
 Promote an engaging learning environment every day in the classroom
 Honor students’ unique strengths and needs
Honor:
 Model positive character attributes
 Recognize acts of integrity and leadership
Service:
 Increase students’ awareness of the global society
 Emphasize the individual’s role in the community
Text: Basic Materials in Music Theory
I. Course Description:
This course teaches the basics of western music theory. Students will learn the
history of music theory and how it has evolved throughout the last 1000 years.
Creating a pleasing sound is the overall goal of composition. By learning the
background of sound, students will understand how music is formed and created
to maximize its effect on the listener. Topics covered in this class include: Time
and Sound; reading and writing in music notation, intervals, triads, key
signatures, scales, and basic piano skills. Each of these components is an
essential part of the composition process. Lastly, students will learn how to use
music technology in the composition process.
II. Course Objectives:
Upon the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Define the terms: Time, Sound, and Acoustics
Read and write notes in the Treble, Alto, Tenor, and Bass Clefs
Read and write complex rhythms in various time signatures
Identify and compose music using key signatures
Write modal, major, and minor scales
Write (Spell) Major, Minor, Augmented, and Diminished Intervals/Triads
Compose music in four-part harmony using proper doubling and spacing
Play basic songs on the piano
Compose music using Sibelius music writing software
III. Course Outline and Timelines:
Unit I: The Basic Materials of Music: Time and Sound (Week 1)
A. Sound Waves, Harmonics
B. Pitch, Timbre
C. Intensity
Unit II: The Notation of Pitch (Weeks 2-3)
A. Notes on the staff
B. Treble, Bass, Alto, and Tenor Clefs
C. Accidentals/Enharmonic notes
D. Half and Whole Steps
Unit III: Time Classification (Week 4)
A. Meter
B. Compound and Simple Time
C. Borrowed and Subdivisions of Time
Unit IV: Note and Rest Values (Week 5)
A. Note and Rest values
B. Dotted Notes
C. Tempo Terms
Unit V: Time Signatures (Week 6)
A. Syncopation
B. Rhythmic Patterns
Unit VI: Intervals (Weeks 7 and 8)
A. Harmonic and Melodic Intervals
B. Numerical Classification of Intervals
C. Compound Intervals
D. Inversion of Intervals
Unit VII: The Basic Scales (Weeks 9 and 10)
A. Structure of Basic Scales
B. Modes
Unit VIII: The Major Scale (Week 11)
A. Structure of the Major Scale
B. Use of Accidentals to form Major Scales
Unit IX: The Minor Scales (Weeks 11 and 12)
A. Natural Minor
B. Harmonic Minor
C. Melodic Minor
Unit X: Key Signatures (Week 12)
A. Key and Tonality
B. Major and Minor Key Signatures
C. Circle of 5ths
D. Parallel Keys
Unit XI: Triads (Week 13)
A. The Tertian System
B. Basic Triads
C. Major, Minor, Diminished and Augmented Triads
Unit X: The Structure of Tonality (Weeks 14-15)
A. I-IV-V Chords
B. Cadences
Unit XI: Triads in Root Position: Doubling and Spacing (Weeks 16-17)
A. Four-Part Harmony
Final Exam Preparations (Week 18)
IV. Materials to be brought to class daily:
 Pencil
 Lined Paper or Notebook
 Folder
 Textbook: Basic Materials in Music Theory
V. Student Expectations:
 Students are expected to abide by the Appoquinimink School District
Code of Conduct at all times.
 Be respectful-respect yourself, your classmates, your teacher, and
property)
 Be responsible-attend class every day, be punctual, complete
assignments
 Be ready to learn-be prepared, be attentive, participate in class
 Contribute to class discussions
 Students must bring all required materials to class. Bringing the required
materials to class is a daily portion of your classroom participation grade.
 Be on Time to class. Students should be in their seats 1 minute after the
bell rings.
 No Food, Gum, Candy, or Drinks in the classroom
 Homework must be turned in on the assigned day. No late work will be
accepted, unless students are absent or prior arrangements have been
made.
VI. Expectations for Teacher:
 I will be prepared every period
 I will provide engaging lessons
 I will give my best effort every period
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I will answer all of your questions relating to the coursework. If I do not
know an answer, I will help you find it.
VII. Grading Policy:
 Students’ grades will be based on their performance on tests, quizzes,
homework, classwork, projects, etc.
 Marking period and semester grades will be calculated according to the
Appoquinimink School District Grading Policy. “Product” grades are
weighted at 70%, and “Process” grades are weighted at 30%.
 “Product” grades for this class include: Written Tests, Performance Tests,
Compositions, and Projects
 “Process” grades for this class include: Class participation grade, required
materials grade, homework, classwork
VIII. Course-specific suggestions for parents and students:
 If you would like to have further practice on the music theory
concepts learned in the class, the following website is useful for use
at home: www.teoria.com.
APPOQUINIMINK HIGH SCHOOL
Music Theory I
Terms of Agreement
As a teacher of this course, I am committed to abiding by this syllabus. The
dates and timelines are subject to change based on students’ assimilation of the
material. Any changes will be communicated to the class by the teacher. By
signing this “Terms of Agreement,” you are affirming that you have read and
agree to abide by the guidelines, policies, and agreements stated in this syllabus.
As a student of this course, I have read and agree to abide by the guidelines,
policies and agreements stated in this syllabus.
_____________________________________ _____________________
Student Signature
Date
As the parent/guardian, I have read and agree to support this student in an effort
to follow the guidelines, policies and agreements stated in this syllabus.
_____________________________________ _____________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
This document should be signed by the student and parent and
returned to the teacher by the end of class on Thursday August
29, 2013.