CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

Advanced Placement Music Theory
Parent-Student Information Handbook
2010-2011 School Year

Mr. Richard Nunley, Jr., Instructor

Mr. Gerald Powell, Music Department Chair
Ms. Elizabeth Kirby, Principal
We Are Committed To The Development Of Student Excellence Through Arts Education

Kenwood Academy High School

Advanced Placement Music Theory
Course Outline and Requirements

The Advanced Placement MusicTheory course is designed to introduce the learner to fundamental
music skills that are required for successful completion of a first-year college musicianship course.
The learner will develop basic skills in reading and writing music notation, rhythm, harmony, texture,
form, music analysis, beginning composition, music history, listening, musical styles and sight-singing.
The learner will be required to demonstrate basic performance proficiency on the piano, vocal sight-singing
and rhythmic, melodic and harmonic dictation. The content of this course will assist the learner
in successfully meeting the requirements of the Advanced Placement Music Theory exam.
Daily Classroom Activities You are required to:
Demonstrate excellent classroom conduct during class sessions.
Demonstrate knowledge of basic and advanced musical skills in the music classroom.
Write appropriate notes concerning various topics in music in the required music portfolio.
Complete all required written music theory assignments and music compositions in the required music
Portfolio, music theory and aural skills workbooks or otherwise, as directed.
Perform musically by playing required exercises on the piano, sight-singing required vocal exercises
or playing or singing required rhythmic, melodic and harmonic compositions.
Listen to a variety of musical compositions in the classroom setting and outside the
classroom setting, analyze them and make specific, required critical judgments about them.
Examinations
You are required to perform at least one exam or quiz per week in A.P. Music Theory class.
There are two categories of music exams: 1. Written Exams 2. Performance Exams
Written Exams (music theory, music history, musical composition or musical analysis)
Performance Exams (playing required assignments on the piano or vocal sight-singing)
Exam dates will be announced one week in advance.
Exam criteria and materials will be reviewed prior to any exam.
Exams may be scheduled on any day of the week.
Examination Make-Up Policy
If you are absent from school or music class for a valid reason, you will be allowed to
make up the missed exam according to teacher instructions.
Unexcused absences, cuts and in or out-of-school suspensions are examples of invalid reasons.
Semester Examinations
The Semester Final Examination will consist of two parts for General Music students:
Part 1-Written assessment (with rubric) Part2-Performance Assessment (with rubric)

Kenwood Academy High School

Advanced Placement Music Theory
Course Outline and Requirements

How You Earn Your Grade

You will earn grades based on participation in the following five-part system:
1) Attend class daily with required classroom materials, and be mentally prepared to learn.
2) Participate in daily classroom activities. (Refer to Daily Classroom Activities on the previous page)
3) Complete all required written and performance assignments, exams and homework adequately
and on time.
4) Observe all required music classroom and school rules.
Chewing gum, consuming candy, food of any kind or beverages during class is not permitted!
Cell phone use in class is not permitted! They should not be visible or activated at any time.
Rules as outlined in the Student Discipline Code Handbook will be strictly enforced.
Please review items regarding classroom behavior for your personal knowledge and benefit.
Remember, good conduct is very important. It is an indicator of your self-discipline and character.
5) Understand The Point System for the AP Music Theory class:
Note the point system below: (based on the standard CPS grading scale)
A =3.6- 4 points/ B = 2.7-3.5 points/ C = 1.7-2.6 points/ D = .7-1.6 points/ F = 0-.6
Points are earned only when you adequately complete an in-class or out-of-class performance,
classroom assignment, or written examination.
Points are earned only when adequate music skills are demonstrated during each
graded musical activity or performance.
Points will be deducted from your overall grade point average if you fail to observe classroom
and school rules during class.
The grade received at the end of each quarter will be evaluated according to the total number of grade
points received based on the standard CPS Grade Scale below:
General Music Grading Policy
Grade %
40 %
30%
20%
10%

Grade Category
Portfolio (which should
contain all class work and
homework assignments)
Assessments (written and
performance exams)
Classroom Participation
Special Projects
Semester Final Exams

A
B
C
D
F

GRADE SCALE
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-68

1. School Work Make Up Policy

Students who have been absent with a valid excuse will be allowed to make up a missed assignment,
according to teacher instructions that apply to the specific assignment or project.
Examples of invalid excuses are: tardiness, unexcused absences, (cuts) not being prepared with required

classroom materials.
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Kenwood Academy High School

Advanced Placement Music Theory
Course Outline and Requirements
Attendance/Tardiness Policy
Attendance is very important in the A.P. Music Theory class. You are required to be present in class
daily in order to maintain an excellent grade. You are required to be in class promptly before the
2nd bell (the tardy bell) rings. When you arrive tardy to class without a valid tardy pass, you will be
directed to the Security Desk where you will have to obtain a tardy pass.
If you receive an unexcused tardy or unexcused absence from the A.P. Music Theory class,
10 grade points will be deducted from your grade point average.
You will not be allowed to make up these points.
In addition, your parent or guardian will be called promptly if you have an unexcused absence from class.
You should make every effort to place a high priority on being in class daily and being on time.
Homework
When a homework assignment is given, you are required to turn it in according to the teachers instructions.
Sometimes, written homework assignments are due the very next day in class. Sometimes they may be due
at a much later time. Sometimes instrument practice and special projects may require daily homework until
an in-class exam or performance is due. Please listen carefully to instructions regarding your required
homework assignments. Assignments will be placed on the kenwood academy website.
Special Projects/Research Papers/Listening Assignments
When a special project, group project, research paper or listening assignment is required, specific instructions
regarding the assignment will be distributed and discussed. Special projects and research papers will require
more time and effort outside of class than regular classroom assignments.
Required Materials
The required text books for the A.P. Music Theory class are as follows:
The Musicians Guide To Theory and Analysis ( with workbook) Primary Text
Master Theory Workbooks (Levels 1-4)
Music for Sight-Singing
In addition to music texts you are required to bring to class daily the following items:
Music Class Portfolio ( this must be a 3-ring, 1-1/2 -inch hardcover binder with left and right pockets.
You must always keep the portfolio grade sheet in your portfolio and maintain it in a neat, well-organized
manner. Pen and Pencil
Class Fee(s)
There are two fees for the A.P. Music Theory class. The Course Fee and the Class Materials Fee
The course fee is $82.00. This fee will cover the cost of the required primary texts workbooks and AP Exam.
The class materials fee is $25.00. this fee will cover the cost of all other required music theory class
materials.(I.E., Master Theory workbooks, staff paper, listening materials, music etc..)
The fees are due in school on Monday, September 20, 2010.
Student I.D.s
You are required to wear your I.D. to each class session. If you do not have your I.D., you will be directed
to the Attendance Office to obtain a temporary I.D. or to obtain a replacement I.D.
Students are not allowed in class without an I.D. appropriately worn.

Parental Notification
Parents or guardians will be consulted concerning your attendance, conduct or academic deficiencies
At the 5th week of each quarter or whenever it becomes necessary to do so.

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Kenwood Academy High School
Advanced Placement Music Theory
Course Outline and Requirements

Advanced Placement Music Theory General Instructional Syllabus

2010-2011 (Dates are approximate)
Dates

Week(s)

1st Quarter
9/07/109/24/10

1-3

9/27/1010/08/10
10/11/1010/29/10

11/01/1011/05/10
2nd Quarter
11/08/1012/10/10
12/13/1001/14/11
01/18/1101/28/11
3rd Quarter
01/31/1102/25/11

03/01/1103/11/11
03/14/1104/01/11
4th Quarter
04/04/1104/08/11
04/11/1105/13/11

5-8

9
10-14

15-17

Illinois Learning Standards (Fine Arts)

Performance Descriptors (H, I, and J)
25.A and 25.B
26.A and 26.B
Performance Descriptors H-J
College Readiness Standards
(MI&AA-16-19, SD 20-23, MOE 20-23)

Basic Notation, Musical Symbols, Pitch and Pitch Class, Rhythm, Beat,
Simple Meters, Scales, Major Keys (Basic Music Theory)
Introduction to Sight-Singing, Scale Line Melodies (Sight-Singing)

25.A and 25.B

26.A and 26.B
Performance Descriptors H-J
College Readiness Standards
(MI&AA-16-19)

Minor Keys, Diatonic Modes, Rhythm, Beat, Compound Meters, Intervals,

Triads and Seventh Chords (Basic Music Theory)
Intervals from Tonic Triad, Major Keys/Simple and Compound Meters
(Sight-Singing)
Quarter Exam (Music Theory, Sight-Singing)

25.A and 25.B

26.A and 26.B
27.B
Performance Descriptors H-J
College Readiness Standards
(MI&AA-16-19; SD-20-23; S-C&CER-24-27,
MOE-20-23,24-27)

Intervals in action, voice leading, two-voice counterpoint, melodic and

rhythmic embellishment, in two-voice composition. notation and scoring
Review and Unit Exam (two-voice composition)

18-19
20-23

24-25

30-33

Review and Unit Exam (Basic Music Theory, Sight-Singing)

Voicing chords in multiple parts, vocal and instrumental writing, tonic

and dominant voice leading, embellishing tones, chorale harmonization
and figured bass, rhythmic dictation and further use of diatonic intervals
Semester Review, and Final Written and Performance Exams

25.A and 25.B

26.A and 26.B
27.B
Performance Descriptors H-J
College Readiness Standards
(MI&AA-16-19; SD-20-23; S-C&CER-24-27,
MOE-20-23,24-27)

26-28

29

Instructional Items

25.A and 25.B

26.A and 26.B
27.B
Performance Descriptors H-J
College Readiness Standards
(MI&AA-16-19; SD-20-23; S-C&CER-24-27,
MOE-20-23,24-27)

Chorale harmonization and figured bass, phrase expansion, leading tone

pre-dominant and 6/4 chords interactions of harmony, tonic expansions
root progressions, mediant triads, diatonic sequences, intensifying
dominants, secondary dominants and leading tone chords more voice
leading rhythmic motives, sight-singing excerpts from choral literature
Review and Unit Exam
Popular and art songs construction, variation and rondo forms, binary
and ternary forms, sonata form movements, use of chromaticism, sightsinging, teacher-composed 8- measure phrases and student-composed
8-measure phrases.
Review and Unit Exam
Tonicizing scale degrees, other than V, modulation to closely related keys,
color and drama in composition, required exams from the Musicians
Guide, melodic and harmonic dictation exercises, free-response exercises,
recorded sight-singing exercises, in-depth aural analysis of literature,
complete teacher-designed AP based exams, complete two recorded sightsinging exams based on the AP exam, music arranging assignments
Complete the AP Music Theory Exam as scheduled

05/16/1105/27/11

34-35

05/31/1106/10/11
06/13/11-

36-37

Semester Review and Exam

All Illinois Learning Standards listed above
38

End-Of-The-Year Discussions and Closeout

06/16/11

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Kenwood Academy High School
Advanced Placement Music Theory
Course Outline and Requirements

Please Note:
The signature of a parent or guardian is required on this page only of this document.
Students must also sign this page and return it promptly to the next class session.
Students who fail to return this document properly signed by the required deadline
will have their grade lowered by one letter.
Your signature(s) will verify that you have both read and understand the requirements
of the AP Music Theory Course.
Signature of Parent or Guardian________________________________________
Signature of Student__________________________________________________

(cut this form at the dotted line, return the top portion and retain the lower portion for your records)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mr. Nunleys Schedule of Classes 2010-2011
Period

Room No.

1st
2nd
Div.
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th

126
126
126
126
126
126
126
126
126

Time/Schedule
8:00-8:46
8:50-9:36
9:40-9:54
9:58-10:44
10:48-11:44
11:38-12:24
12:28-1:15
1:18-2:04
2:08-2:54

Class
Prep Period
Beginning Mixed Chorus
Concert Choir
Prep Period
Lunch Period
AP Music Theory
Prep Period
Beginning Mixed Chorus

Tutoring/Student Assistance will be conducted according to teacher availability.

Brief Vita of Mr. Nunleys Teaching Credentials
Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Roosevelt University
Master of Music Education (M.M.E.), Roosevelt University
K-12 Teaching Certification, State of Illinois

Parents interested in scheduling a conference are required to call the school office at
(773) 535-2550 during school hours (8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.) or by email at rnunley@cps.edu.
Information concerning course requirements are available at the schools website.
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