Music Theory and Practice

Wooster High School ~ 1st Semester, 2008-2009 ~ Mr. Adams

Syllabus

 Materials

Texts: Practical Beginning Theory: A Fundamentals Worktext ~ Benward, Jackson

Music In Theory and Practice, Vol. 1 ~ Benward, White

Manuscript Paper (provided)

No. 2 pencil(s) - (no pens!)

Eraser

Small ruler or straight edge

3-Ring Binder (recommended)

Cover for Music In Theory and Practice

You will receive two books for this class. The worktext has been purchased by you as a fee for the class. Many of the assignments to be turned in will come from this book. A 3-ring binder is recommended to save these pages as they are returned to you. The Music In Theory and Practice text belongs to the school and will be used from year to year. Please take special care of this book and do not write in it - even in pencil. Also, get a cover for it (plastic phone book covers work perfectly).

It is expected that students will come to class each day with all necessary materials.

 Course Outline

Part 1: Musician’s Raw Materials

Combinations of Materials Creating Tonality

Part 2: Rhythm, Meter, Melody, and Harmony

Part 3: Further Explorations

Writing Project

Out-Of-Class Concert Attendance (1 concert performance)

Computers and Music

1st Quarter Grading	2nd Quarter Grading
Assignments 40% (lowest grade dropped) Tests 30% Quizzes 30% (lowest grade dropped)	Assignments 30% (lowest grade dropped) Tests 25% Quizzes 20% (lowest grade dropped) Writing Project 20%   Concert Attendance 5%

 Thought-Provoking Quotes

"I know that the twelve notes in each octave and the varieties of rhythm offer me opportunities that all of human genius will never exhaust."

Igor Stravinsky

"I produce music as an apple tree produces apples."

Camille Saint-Sa‘ns

"I write as a sow piddles."

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

"Composing is like driving down a foggy road toward a house. Slowly you see more details of the house, the color and slates and bricks, the shape of the windows. The notes are the bricks and the mortar of the house."

Benjamin Britten

"A great work is made out of a combination of obedience and liberty."

Nadia Boulanger

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