Fundamentals of Music

Performing Arts Education at JSHS has a long tradition of excellence.Through participation in the program, students learn the techniques of performance, teamwork, and self-confidence.

Fundamentals of Music is a performance-based survey of music, musicians, and culture in 21st century America. Students will study styles and genres of music, the development and history of pop culture from the early 1900’s, influential artists and bands, music theory, recording technology and digital music production, music marketing, and live music performance. This course is designed to prepare students for potential careers in music performance, music business/marketing, or the recording industry.

Class Objectives

  • Provide an environment for artistic development, as an individual and as an ensemble.

  • Provide opportunities to learn about music and performance; its development, construction and expression.

  • Increase awareness of how music is unique in its expressive and communicative nature, particularly non-verbal aspects. Our case studies are the works we perform.

  • Provide a place of belonging, a sense of unity, and a source of fellowship for students.

  • Engage artistic culture at the highest levels of complexity and competence. The ensemble contributes to the campus and general communities through artistic expression.

  • Develop and refine musicianship skills, i.e. dexterity, endurance, musicality, and other aural abilities.

  • Develop self-motivated and independent musicians.

  • Collaborate with peers to create works that are larger than an individual.

  • Compose and produce works of music in a variety of styles and means.

Grade breakdown

Grades for this class are not weighted.


Daily Participation Grade

  • Obeying classroom/Zoom rules and etiquette, explained below.

  • Participation in independent work, group work, etc.

  • Ask questions! Let me help you!


Assignments

  • Can be assigned in the form of surveys, vocabulary, notation, history, short writings, and many other facets.

  • All assignments will be located under the assignments tab of Google Classroom.

    • Assignments will be posted under the following format — Date Due: Assignment Title

  • Most assignments will be due at the end of class or the beginning or the next class session.


Tests

  • Can be assigned in the form of vocabulary, musical notation, short writings, creation of a small project, etc.

  • Can be retaken at the teacher’s approval.

  • CANNOT be retaken if the student cheats.

Projects

  • Large scale works that show multiple days or weeks of effort.

  • Can be given in the form of presentations, composition, production, writing, etc.

  • Projects are meant to be the final part of a section before we move into a new topic.

    • While deadlines are deadlines; if something happens in which you need more time (internet problems, computer crashes, family emergency, etc., please contact me and we can work something out).


Final

  • Details will come towards the end of the semester.