HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Music Theory & Technology

High School

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Music Theory and Technology

9-12
1 semester, may be repeated for credit

Course Description: This is a one semester entry level course open to all students 9th through 12th grade.
The course may be repeated for credit. Students will be introduced to the creative use of music technology
and the fundamentals of music using the latest electronic music equipment such as: synthesizers,
computers, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) keyboards, sequencers, and the appropriate
software. Students will learn to use the equipment through a hands-on lab experience and to create their
own compositions. Areas of instruction will include the fundamentals of music notation, ear training,
theory, composition and the basics of synthesizing sound and MIDI sequencing. In addition to their
experience at the workstations in the music lab, students will use theory worksheets and other appropriate
materials.
Component Goals: Technical Skills
1. Increase student sensitivity to music lab hardware and software maintenance
2. Refine and enhance appropriate fingerings when entering data with the MIDI keyboard
3. Introduce and develop performance etiquette and skills
4. Introduce and develop the creative use of music technology
5. Introduce and develop the fundamentals of music and music theory
6. Introduce electronic music hardware: computer, synthesizers, MIDI interfaces, etc.
7. Introduce electronic music software: sequencing, music notation, ear training, theory, composition, etc.
8. Introduce the basics of synthesizing sound and Musical Instrument Digital Interface sequencing
9. Introduce the basics of sound editing
10. Introduce and stay current with the new advances in the field of electronic music
11. Apply skills and knowledge to create in the arts
12. Apply skills to perform artistically on electronic instruments
13. Apply skills to improvise stylistically appropriate harmonizing parts
14. Improvise rhythmic & melodic variations given pentatonic melodies &melodies in major &minor keys
15. Improvise original melodies over given chord progressions, each in a consistent style, meter and tonality
16. Compose music in several distinct styles, demonstrating creativity in using the elements of music for
expressive effect
17. Compose and arrange music for electronic instruments, demonstrating traditional usages of sound sources
18. Create or adapt music to integrate with other media

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1. Demonstrate various styles of music in music composition
2. Demonstrate increased proficiency in written and aural skills:
a. Intervals
b. Scales
c. Chords
d. Chord progressions
3. Understand the basic uses of technology in the creative process of music composition
4. Compose music with the computer and MIDI equipment
5. Understand the fundamentals of music notation
6. Acquire the ability to use music notation software
7. Learn the rudiments of music theory
8. Acquire the ability to use sound editing software
9. Gain the vocabulary necessary to intelligently discuss the use of electronic equipment in the
composition of music and the creative process involved

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Music Theory and Technology

9-12
1 semester, may be repeated for credit

Component Goals: Rhythmic Skill

1. Continue, develop, and refine goals from K-8
2. Introduce and refine the aesthetic awareness of rhythm
3. Introduce and develop increasingly complex patterns/meters

Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1. Recognize, identify, and perform simple and compound meters.
2.

Read, identify, and perform syncopation and borrowed divisions

3.

Understand and perform with sensitivity the relationships of various patterns.

4.

Expand their use of different rhythmic patterns

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Music Theory and Technology

9-12
1 semester, may be repeated for credit

Component Goals: Listening Skills

1. Continue, develop, and refine goals from K-8
2. Introduce various stylistic listening skills
3. Introduce the physics of sound
4. Develop and refine listening skills for evaluation

Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1. Understand and recognize all major scale diatonic intervals
2. Distinguish major and minor 3rds
3. Identify melody, harmony, tonality, sequence, counter-melody, accompaniment, texture, and balance
4. Identify various performance styles
5. Recognize pitch, intensity, timbre, volume and duration
6. Recognize, anticipate, and adjust to the acoustical environment
7. Identify aurally the various instrument patches
8. Evaluate appropriate tone quality, rhythmic interpretation, phrasing, form, expression, and dynamics
9. Evaluate various performance levels

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Music Theory and Technology

9-12
1 semester, may be repeated for credit

Component Goals: Translative Skills

1. Continue, develop, and refine goals from K-8
2. Student application of stylistic awareness
3. Decipher, interpret, and utilize communication from musical notation and other symbol systems

Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1. Read, count and perform advanced notation.
a. Terms
b. Rhythm
c. Interpretative symbols
d. Articulation symbols
2.

Perform compositions in different musical styles.

3. Demonstrate the elements of music in a creative manner

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Music Theory and Technology

9-12
1 semester, may be repeated for credit

Component Goals: Analytical Skills

1.

Continue, develop, and refine goals from K-8

2.

Integrate theoretical and aesthetic elements of music

Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of motivic development
a. Augmentation
b. Diminution
c. Mutation
d. Sequence (real and tonal)
e. Tonal Centers
f. Ornamentation
g. Cadencial extension
2. Understanding historical forms and styles
3. Understanding how compositional techniques effect aesthetic response

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Music Theory and Technology

9-12
1 semester, may be repeated for credit

Component Goals: Literature

1.

Continue, develop, and refine goals from K-8

2.

Given the historical development of computers and music software we will study:
a.
b.
c.
d.

3.
e.
f.
g.
h.

12 Bar Blues
50s/60s Rock
Hip Hop
Any other style of music from any time period, whether it be classical or popular.

The following periods and styles will be studied when possible if requested by individual students:
Renaissance/Baroque
Classical
Romantic
Twentieth Century/Contemporary

Student Outcomes:
Through listening, research, and/or performance experience(s), the student will be able to:
1.

Recognize and demonstrate stylistic elements of a given music period

2.

Demonstrate knowledge of the differences between the basic periods of music

3.

Recognize and demonstrate stylistic elements of a given musical period

4.

Recognize and create a response within the basic periods of music

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Music Theory and Technology

9-12
1 semester, may be repeated for credit

Component Goals: Historical Multi-Cultural

The instrumental music faculty is committed to helping students become aware of the historical, cultural,
and social contexts of the music which they study. The faculty will teach music of diverse historic periods
and cultures.
MUSIC IN HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL CONTEXTS
Music can represent and reflect many things about the cultural aspects of societies. Whether one
examines cultures from a historical perspective or the many contemporary cultures of our present
world, the student can become more sensitive to the differences and similarities of humankind
through music.
The learner should be aware that:
1.

Music is a part of our everyday lives and lifetime experiences.

2.

Music conveys messages and communicates ideas.

3.

Music as a universal language crosses historical, geographical and political boundaries.

4.

Music is a reflection of the nature of the culture, historical period or social context from which it come s.

5.

Music of each culture has its own set of aesthetic values.

6.

The values of a society are reflected in the musical forms created.

7.

The values of a society determine the status of its creators and performers.

8.

Musical knowledge enables the development of tolerance and respect for tradition and innovation.

9.

Composers and performers are artists creating or expressing their ideas through music.

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Name:
Grade Level:
Course Length:

Music Theory and Technology

9-12
1 semester, may be repeated for credit

Component Goals: Performance Skills

1. Continue, develop, and refine goals from K-8
2. Introduce and provide increasing opportunities for a greater variety of individual and collaborative
compositional experiences
3.

Provide developmentally appropriate individual and collaborative experiences

4.

Provide for student demonstration of appropriate musical stylistic characteristics, through

performance

5.

Develop the organization of a personal value system

Student Outcomes:
The student will:
1.

Demonstrate proper protocol as a performer and listener

2.

Perform developmentally appropriate individual and collaborative experiences

3.

Demonstrate a personal value system by achieving the highest level of their potential

4.

Demonstrate the integration of technical, rhythmic, listening, translative, and analytical skills
through performance

10

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Content Outline:
1. Analyze prerecorded selections to develop aesthetic literacy.
2. Perform and evaluate individual and collaborative musical experiences.
3. Discuss and develop the values of commitment, discipline, determination, team-building, self
motivation, and personal responsibility.
4. Compose and perform music from the various musical styles
5. Analyze aural examples of individual composers and performers styles and form usage by describing
the uses of elements of music and expressional devices; for example, examine the 12 Bar Blues
interpretation of Wilbert Harrisons versus Muddy Waters versions of Kansas City.
6. Closely analyze a period of music. Study and compare the historical, musical, and performance
practices of the time periods. For example, examine the lyrics of 12 Bar Blues compositions and their
relation to events in that period.
7. Identify and explain compositional, notation and sound editing devices and techniques and their
purposes giving examples of other works that make similar uses of these devices and techniques.
8. Evaluate the use of music in mixed media environments
9. Make informed, critical evaluations of the quality and effectiveness of performances, compositions,
arrangements, and improvisations applying specific criteria
10. Evaluate a performance, composition, arrangement, or improvisation by comparing it to similar or
exemplary models
11. Classify by genre or style and by historical period or culture unfamiliar but representative aural
examples of music and explain the reasoning behind their classification
12. Identify various roles that musicians perform, cite representative individuals who have functioned in
each role, and describe their activities and achievements
13. Analyze the impact of electronic music in society and culture
14. Explain how elements, artistic processes and organizational principles are used in similar and
distinctive ways in the various arts and cite examples
15. Compare characteristics of two or more arts within a particular historical period or style and cite
examples from various cultures
16. Explain ways in which the principles and subject matter of various disciplines outside the arts are
interrelated with those of music
17. Analyze and consider the use of music and media for the future

11

HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION

OPTIONAL:
Notate an original composition in Finale notation software
Arrange an original composition in Finale notation software for band, orchestra, choir or small ensembles

EVALUATION;
Students will be evaluated by playing tests and individual as well as collaborative performances.

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:

1. Selected computer software, recordings, websites and other audio-visual aids.
2. Various music theory websites and text/work books.
3. Appropriate representative literature.

12