AP & IB HL (1st Year) Music Theory

Course Syllabus

Teacher: Mr. Jerry Burdick-Rutz, Dir. of Bands                                                                                                                              Room Number: 920

                 Great Oak High School

                  (951) 6294-6450 (ext. 3921)

Pre-requisites:  Students must have completed and successfully fulfilled all Prerequisite courses or have background music courses (Band, Chorus, and/or Music Appreciation).

Books & Resources:        “Music Harmony – Theory & Practice;” Book, CD, and workbook (students will need a stenograph notepad with music staves to complete workbook assignments); Great Oak Music Theory Spiral Bound Workbook;

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to prepare students for college/university level music theory.  Students will learn basic theory & harmony practices of music through written, sight-singing, and aural training.

               To accomplish these goals students will need to meet the expectations of the class including:

A.     Basic note reading & notation skills (“Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter’s 1-2);

B.     Basic Music Terms & Definitions (“Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter’s 1-2);

C.     Rhythm & Meter (“Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter’s 3);

D.     Major Scales  (Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter’s 4); Major Scale Olympics (Circle of 4^th & 5^th).

E.      Sight-Singing & Aural Training; identifying pitches; basic intervals & chords; and using Solfiege (movable do).

F.      Minor Scales Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter 4); Minor Scale Identification

G.     Figured Bass and Implied Harmonies (Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter 5);

H.     The Basic Triad (Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter 6);

I.       Roman Numeral Analysis (Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter 7);

J.       Compositional Techniques & Transposition (Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter 8);

a.      Motives

b.      Rhythmic and Melodic Sequence

c.      Melody & Countermelody

d.      Cadences

K.     Bach Chorale Analysis, Aural Training & Sight-Singing

L.      Chromaticism and 20^th Century Compositional Styles (Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter 9);

M.    Secondary Dominants (Music Harmony” Text and Workbook Chapter 10);

N.     Original Compositions:  Piano Invention; Percussion Ensemble; Arrangement.

                 Class participation will make up a high percentage of practice used to achieve the goals of the classroom.  Refer to the course timeline to follow assignment responsibilities..

All submitted papers must use proper research form, including foot or end notes and a list of works cited.  Longer papers also need a title page, second sheet, and separate table of contents.

ALL SOLO OR GROUP PERFORMANCES AND/OR COMPOSITIONS MUST BE COMPLETED ON THE DETERMINED DUE DATE.

Rules:   A.            Contribute Positively to the Educational Process.

1.    do not be tardy or late.

2.      do not disrupt another person's learning process.

3.      do not interrupt the teacher, or the person who has the floor.

4.      do not bring things to class that disrupt classroom procedures including:

a.      food, gum, candy, beverages, or illegal items

B.            Treat Others with Respect

1.       treat others as you would wish to be treated

Consequences:   1.     Warning from the teacher.

2.      2^nd Warning with Phone call to the parents or guardians.

3.      Written Referral to the office.

Grading:  The following are the categories and percentages of how students are graded:

               I.             Projects                                                               50%

               II.           Classroom Assignments                                   25%

               III.          Quizzes & Tests                                                 25%

I have read, and I understand the information that guides the rules, consequences, objectives, assignments and grading procedures for IB Music:

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       (Parent or guardians signature)                                                                                 (Date)                                                                     

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                (Student’s signature)                                                                          (Date)