BURKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Syllabus
2016 – 2017
Beginning/Intermediate Music Theory
Mr. Joey Franqui, Instructor
Email address:
Phone Number: (706) 554-6691
Course Description and Objectives
The purpose of this class is to teach students how to read music. It will consist of daily instruction and an easy-to-follow workbook called One-Minute Theory. The writers of the text have created a course designed specifically for beginners, intermediates, and advanced theory students. Students would spend most days completing their workbooks in preparation for Unit tests. At different times during the school year, the class will demonstrate mastery of theory concepts by learning to play on two different instruments: hand bells and piano. For hand bells, students will learn basic hand bell repertoire for beginners. For piano, students will learn from Bastien’s Piano for Adults. Lessons, theory, technique, and sight-reading are all learned during instrument playing. During time spent with instruments, the class will work on music reading; NOT playing by ear. Hopefully, this class will have an opportunity to perform (this will have to be approved).
Classroom Expectations
- Come to class everyday on-time and ready to work.
- Come ready to learn challenging musical concepts and to demonstrate mastery of those concepts.
- Have fun working together as a class.
Classroom Rules
- Come into the classroom and find your seat; if you are tardy, you must have a pass from either the office or teacher that kept you late.
- Keep class clean during breakfast; all eating should be finished by 7:55 am.
- When class instruction starts, there is to be no talking outside of that which is beneficial to the learning process (determined by Mr. Franqui).
- Do not stand up, pack your book bag, clear off your desk or leave the classroom until the bell rings.
- During any announcements be quiet and listen until they are finished.
Standards for Music Theory Classes
MHSBMTh.1, MHSIMTh.1 - Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
MHSBMTh.2, MHSIMTh.2 - Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
MHSBMTh.3, MHSIMTh.3 - Reading and notating music
MHSBMTh.4, MHSIMTh.4 - Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
MHSBMTh.5, MHSIMTh.5 - Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
MHSBMTh.6, MHSIMTh.6 - Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
MHSBMTh.7, MHSIMTh.7 - Evaluating music and music performances
MHSBMTh.8, MHSIMTh.8 - Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
MHSBMTh.9, MHSIMTh.9 - Understanding music in relation to history and culture
Making-up Assignments and Absences
Assessments in this class will be given as the student is ready (almost like independent study) or every five days (whichever is shorter). You will be permitted to make-up any missed assignments. This will mostly apply to Theory Tests missed because of absences. Because each student will inform me when they are ready to test, I must implement a policy regarding missed worked as a result of an unexcused absence. If a student has an excused absence, I will allow for a five (5) day window without penalty. Each week past the first five (5) days will be penalized by a letter grade.
Required Texts and Materials:
Beginner: One-Minute Theory #1 by Ronald Slabbinck and Holly Shaw-Slabbinck | Neil A. Kjos Music Company| ISBN:0-8497-4205-6 | Replacement Cost: $7.95
Intermediate: One-Minute Theory #2 by Ronald Slabbinck and Holly Shaw-Slabbinck |ISBN:0-8497-4213-7| Replacement Cost: $8.95
Advanced:One-Minute Theory #3 by Ronald Slabbinck and Holly Shaw-Slabbinck |ISBN:0-8497-4221-8 | Replacement Cost: $8.95
Piano Literature: Bastien Piano for Adults, 1 Book Only: A Beginning Course: Lessons, Theory, Technic, Sight Reading [Spiral-Bound], Publication Date:June 1, 1999| ISBN-10:0849773008| Replacement Cost: $15.95
Some students will get to the Advanced book before the end of the course. This may affect their placement in a theory class next year.
Course Assessment Plan/Grading Scale
This course will include many formative and summative assessments. At the beginning of the course and at the conclusion of the course, certain classes will be required to take the SLO (Student Learning Objective) which can count for as much as 20% of their final grade.
A minimum of 9 grades will be used to determine the final grade for each 9-week grading period. Here is a breakdown of how the grades will be calculated:
A.Summative Assessments = 40%
- Performances, Music Theory Tests, etc.
B.Formative Assessments = 60%
- Song Tests, Weekly Rehearsal Participation Grade, etc.
It is policy that teachers should not record a grade lower than 55 on report card or final grades.
Classroom Conduct/Consequences
I will call home if necessary for assistance dealing with student behavior. Any conduct issues that cannot be handledas a result of conversation(s) with parents/guardians will be aligned with the BCHS Bears Facts-school wide discipline plan.
A NOTE TO PARENTS:
Basically, this classes success rate weights heavily on your student’s ability to DO-THE-WORK. If your student doesn’t come to class and participate by doing their work,he/she will fail. Conversely, if your student comes to school and routinely works at improving by practicing for “pass-offs”, they will pass (and probably do well). My willingness to practice, or rehearse on my own has directly correlated with how well I’ve performed in my music career. My class and the class performances (if we get to perform) should always be treated like an investment in your student’s future. That’s the way I’ll always treat it.
I challenge you to lead the way in this class. The student leading the way always gets the highest grade!
PLEASE KEEP THE REST OF THIS SYLLABUS AT HOME
AND SEND BACK ONLY THIS SIGNED PAGE!!!
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