Music Appreciation

Woodmont High School

Music Appreciation

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Donna Cotter

Room: FA 103

Phone: 355-8670

Planning: 4th period and 6th period

Email: dcotter@greenville.k12.sc.us

Course Description:

This class will provide the students with a general overview of the following musical periods: 20th Century, Romantic, Classical, Baroque and Renaissance. Students will be expected to learn and use basic musical terminology, basic musical reading skills, listening skills (timbre, harmony, melody, rhythm, meter, tempo, form & dynamics), and identify pieces aurally from different musical periods and composers. Students will study opera and musical theatre.

Course Objectives:

  1. Identify elements in music which define style, genre, period and composer.
  2. Develop listening skills concerning the various elements of music.

3. Develop a vocabulary necessary to communicate the attributes of music as they relate to the various elements in music and historical time periods.

  1. Define historical style periods.
  2. Identify composers and major compositions related to historical style periods.
  3. Place composers and major compositions in historical context by examining visual arts, architecture, and social political and economic conditions and events.

Course Requirements:

A. Attendance Policy: (see student handbook)


B. Tardy Policy: (see student handbook)


C. Classroom Expectations:

Procedures for all:

1. Students will have their notebooks and a pencil when the bell rings for class to begin.

2. Students once they have all materials for class they are to remain seated at all times unless permission is given otherwise.

3. Students are not to use the bathroom or leave the room unless it is an emergency, students are to sign out and fill out hall pass with name, date, time and destination and bring to Mrs. Owens to sign before leaving the room. Upon returning to classroom students must sign in. You are allotted 3 passes to use for bathroom breaks per semester, but once these are gone you may not leave the room, so use these passes wisely. Do not arrive to class late and say you had to go to the bathroom as this will make you tardy to class.

CLASSROOM RULES

1. We will observe all school rules.

2. We will respect others, their property & ourselves.

3. We will come to class prepared and on time.

4. We will remain quiet and in our seats.

5. We will follow directions and class procedures.

Grading Scale

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

F 59 or below

Grading Policy

9 weeks grade is divided as follows

MAJOR GRADES – 60%

  • PARTICIPATION – Students receive a grade of 100 at the beginning of each week period. Students will loose points for not following a rules and/or procedures. A rubric will be used and both teacher and student will choose a consensus grade. Absences do require make-up. Students have 1 week after assignment to see Mrs. Cotter to catch up on missed assignments. This is YOUR responsibility!

  • PROJECTS - projects will be completed during the semester after every unit of study.

MINOR GRADES – 40%

  • WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS/NOTEBOOKS – This includes classwork or daily assignments.

  • TESTS/QUIZZES –written tests will be given in this class. Reflecting student understanding and will cover all material up to the point of the test.

Projects: 6 projects will be given over the course of the year; one from each musical genre and culture. We will be incorporating Technology. You will make a Powerpoint presentation, a brochure, a movie in Movie Maker, write a paper, and an aural presentation.

Listening: 4- 6 pieces that represent each musical time period.

Notebook will be divided as follows: Notes, Listening, quizzes/tests, projects and other.

What will I need for this class?

  • One 1 inch binder with 3 rings
  • 5 dividers labeled Notes, Listening, Projects, Tests/Quizzes, Other
  • A good attitude