11

th
Grade Music History Syllabus October 2014
Corey Averill, Instructor
Corey.d.averill@gmail.com
Course Description
This course will introduce Western music history and music theory. Lessons will begin with a
chronological overview from each time period beginning with Antiquity through Rock and Roll. Next will be
composer studies, Luthier and instrument lecture, and introduction to music theory. This will include reading
music, understanding the three clefs, the accidentals, the modal system, the major/minor scale system, and key
signatures. Second, the class will seek to have each of you question and define what music is, and explore its
origins. We will also touch on the advent of Ragtime, Blues, Jazz, and Rock and Roll. We will explore the
connections between the arts, culture, various wars, industrial revolution, and its effects upon musical creation.
Each day may include lecture, discussion, music listening, quizzes, and tests.
Experiential Learning
This is an important part of the course. Some of this will be accomplished in class and some as
homework.
1. Learn and perform a Madrigal
2. Compose a Gregorian Chant- Include in main lesson book
3. Rhythm dictation in class Include in main lesson book
Quizzes and Final
This course will have a couple of short quizzes from class lectures in class. Quizzes may combine time
periods and other presentations in class. It is very important that you re-write your lecture notes daily! This will
prepare you for your quizzes. For each quiz and final you will be allowed to create a 3x5 note card, front and back,
to place any class notes on you wish. You ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CREATE a 3X5 card but this is an option which is
highly recommended. These note cards must be created on your own and be turned in with the test. If you
choose not to create the notecard you must inform me before any quiz or final begins. IF a note card is copied or
identical to another rest takers you will fail the exam with no exceptions made! The final may include questions
from past quizzes, listening exams, and of course new questions. Quizzes may include opportunities for extra
credit.
Music Listening
This is another important element to your music history course. I will be asking that you listen to as much
music from the classical realm to music of today. Ideally you should listen to music of whichever era we are
studying at the time. Sources for this could include the radio, Pandora, CDs, and Library. You will be asked to be
able to identify music from all musical periods, and identify its compositional characteristics. This cant be done
unless you practice listening to music of that particular era. To facilitate as much listening to classical music as
possible I strongly suggest you listen to music while you do all homework.
You need to keep a journal of every piece of music you listen to during the course of your music history
course. Include in main lesson book
Honors
Honors will be awarded to those students who choose to participate by attending two classical concerts in
the month of October. You will be asked to write two paragraphs for each concert. The first will be about what you
found unusual about the performance, and the second about what you enjoyed the most during the concert.
Programs and the write up should be turned in Include in main lesson book
Main Lesson Book
Your main lesson book will be due on the last day of class. You will have the last class period of the term
to work on your books. Books turned in starting the following Monday will be graded down letter grade per day
that they are late. DO NOT wait till the end in preparing the main lesson book. Each Monday I will do a book check
in class- this check will be part of your classroom participation grade. Main lesson books should include:
1. Table of Contents
2. Your Gregorian Chant composition
3. Rhythm Dictation and other music theory
4. Listening Journal
5. At least 2 pieces of artwork in the main lesson book (any medium)
6. Neatly handwritten or typed summaries from each time period paragraph form
7. Musical terms either underlined in body of summaries or following each time period
8. Composer summaries
9. The art of being a Luthier
10. Honors (if you are doing)
Grading:
Class Participation 15% of grade
Experiential learning 15% of grade
Quizzes 15% of grade
Final 15% of grade
Main Lesson Book 40% of grade