Studio Music Syllabus

Mr. Lawi, jlawi@midpac.edu

Mr. Lim, mlim@midpac.edu
K-208

Course Description
Studio Music is a course designed for music students to explore and create music
through the use of their iPad and student driven independent projects. This course acts
as an extension of traditional music classes such as Band, Orchestra, and Vocal
Ensemble. Students may play instruments such as guitar, ukulele, and piano. The goal
of this course is to teach students music theory and basic musicianship skills which will
empower them to perform, create, arrange, and improvise music. Students will use a
variety of different electronic mediums to record and display their performances and
compositions. To be successful, students will need to display proficiency on their
primary instrument in addition to developing their singing, percussion, and keyboard
skills.

Classroom Supplies
All students must bring the following items everyday to class
1. Fully charged iPad (our usage will be battery intensive)
2. Headphones or earbuds
3. Dedicated folder for notes and handouts
4. pencil/eraser

Access to a desktop computer (library or at home) may be helpful in completing some

assignments.

Apps to Download
1. Garageband by Apple (free through the school)
2. Acapella by Mixcord Inc.(free)
3. Novation Launchpad by Novation (free)
4. Tenuto by Musictheory.net ($3.99)
5. DM1 the Drum Machine by Fingerlab ($4.99)

Optional Apps to Download

1. Rockmate by Fingerlab ($2.99)
2. Impaktor by Beepstreet ($4.99)
3. Loopy HD by A Tasty Pixel ($3.99)
4. Madpad HD by Smule - ($2.99)
Assessment
The grading for Studio Music will be based on quizzes, classroom discussion, projects,
and an online portfolio.

Quizzes (30%)
There will be frequent quizzes in this class. Most of these quizzes will use the tenuto
app and will involve note reading in multiple clefs, chordal identification, and ear
training.

Discussion (20%)
While some of this class will be lecture based, there will be many times when students
will be asked to watch a video on Youtube and then discuss the video in class. Actively
participating in discussion is an important part of class.

Projects/Portfolio (50%)
The core of this class will revolve around a number of projects that will be assigned
throughout the semester. Students will often have the opportunity to choose from a list
of projects (or even create their own). Because of the wide range of students and their
abilities, student input will be used as part of the evaluation for all projects.

All students must keep an online portfolio through Weebly. Specific criteria for what
needs to be kept in the portfolio will be discussed in depth within the Studio Music
webpage. The portfolio will be evaluated every 2-3 weeks with a final portfolio review
being done at the end of the semester.

Websites are not open to the public, but will be viewable by their peers.

Late Policy:

Cut-off point for late assignments is 1-week from due date. After that it becomes an “M”
or zero until further notice

Core Competencies

Verbal/Non-Verbal Communication - means the ability to effectively use multiple

mediums to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc., to a variety of audiences.

Collaboration Skills - means the ability to work with others to complete a task and
accomplish shared goals.

Critical Thinking - means the ability to identify, describe, and make conclusions about
information gathered, and to understand the relationships between ideas.

Leaders of Learning - means the ability to follow class, school, and community rules
and agreements, and to be responsible for one’s own learning.