Music

Grade 9

Intro to Music is one of four courses in the “freshman mix.”  The following topics are included in this one-quarter survey of music:

·         Music in our world today:  students explore the role of music throughout history and in our world today, and how the international language of music describes who we are as human beings.  Students will learn our GMAHS Alma Mater, part of our own musical tradition!
·         The elements of music:  students become familiar with the elements of music including rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form and dynamics and how they influence musical styles.
·         Classifying and Identifying musical instruments and voices:  students learn to classify and identify world instruments by their construction and the way they produce their sound and compare the instrumental pitch ranges with the 4 categories of the human voice.
·         Developing listening skills:  students listen to many genres and styles of music and be able to make more informed judgments about the music they hear.
·         Music technology:  students work with computers, digital midi keyboards and piano instruction software to acquire musical skills.
·         Freshmen recital: students prepare for and participate in a freshman music recital (publicity, program, stage crew, performing, etc.) at the conclusion of the quarter.

No prerequisites

 Grade 10
 

Fundamentals of Music is the first of a progressive series of three music theory courses. The curriculum content is divided into three areas: 1) music theory, 2) musicianship skills (sight singing and aural theory), 3) music literature.  Students develop a working music vocabulary of musical terms and symbols, which is put into application in all facets of music learning. The fundamental concepts of music theory covered in this course include pitch notation, rhythm values, meter, key signatures, major and minor scales, transposition and intervals with some emphasis upon the development of aural perception skills through performance. Theoretical concepts are reinforced through guided listening from a wide selection of music literature, analysis of the musical scores and practical application utilizing laptops and MIDI keyboards. 

Prerequisites:

·         a minimum grade of 90 in Intro to Music
·         a musical background to include either participation in school musical ensembles (chorus, band or orchestra), or private vocal or instrumental instruction

Grades 10, 11, 12

Honors Music 2 is the second of a progressive series of three music theory courses. The curriculum content is divided into three areas: 1) music theory, 2) musicianship skills (sight singing and aural theory), 3) music literature.  A further study of music theory includes triad types, chord inversions, chord progressions, cadences, figured bass notation, harmonic analysis, counterpoint, and the study of various musical forms.  Theoretical concepts are reinforced through guided listening from a wide selection of music literature, analysis of the musical scores and practical application utilizing laptops and MIDI keyboards.  Emphasis is placed upon continued aural skill development including sight singing, performance of rhythm patterns in simple and compound meters, melodic and rhythmic dictation, and aural interval recognition.

Prerequisites:

·         a minimum grade of 93 in Fundamentals of Music
·         current or previous vocal/instrumental study
·         approval of the department chair

Grades 10, 11, 12 

A survey of the history and literature of Western music from Gregorian plainchant to American song.  Emphasis is placed upon the study of musical forms and styles against the background of historic, artistic and cultural developments.  Students will 1) identify and describe a wide variety of musical genres, forms and styles using relevant terminology, 2) make interdisciplinary connections between music and other areas, and 3) develop critical skills in music listening, score-reading, and analysis of selected repertory in Western Civilization. The goal of this course is to cultivate an appreciation and enjoyment of all genres of music, as well as to recognize the influence of music upon the history of Western culture.

Prerequisites:

·         a grade of 85 in Fundamentals of Music or Honors Music Theory
·         current or previous vocal/instrumental study
·         approval of the department chair

Grades 11, 12
 

The last of a progressive series of three music theory courses, AP Music Theory is designed to provide the student with an understanding of music theory, sight reading, and aural skills that is equivalent to that of a first-year college music student. The explicit intent of this course is to prepare the student for the AP® Exam in Music Theory. The course content and presentation will adhere to the guidelines set forth by the College Board in the Music Theory Course Description.

AP Music Theory progresses from the concepts covered in Honors Music Theory to include more complex and creative tasks, such as: melodic and harmonic dictation; composition of a bass line for a given melody, implying appropriate harmony; realization of a figured bass; realization of a Roman numeral progression; analysis of repertoire, including melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, and form; and sight-singing in major and minor modes and in simple and compound meters.

Students learn to identify aural and visual procedures based in common-practice tonality, such as: functional triadic harmony in traditional four-voice texture including nonharmonic tones, seventh chords, cadence types and secondary dominants; melodic and harmonic compositional processes (e.g., sequence, motivic development); phrase structure (e.g., contrasting period, phrase group); small forms (e.g., rounded binary, simple ternary, theme and variation, strophic); and modulation to closely related keys.

Prerequisites:

· a minimum grade of 93 in Honors Music Theory 2
· current vocal/instrumental study
· students must be independent, self-directed and highly-motivated workers capable of managing significant daily assignments and regular drill work.
· approval of the department chair