Course Information

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Welcome Letter
This welcome letter (which should have been emailed to you) includes Instructor contact information, grading information, attendance requirements and final exam information.
Semester1WelcomeLetter.pdf

Course Syllabus
The Course Syllabus includes a list of lessons and assignments (with possible points) & suggested due dates
Semester I Course Syllabus 

 

Listening Examples - There are over 115 listening examples in this course. There are 2 ways to access:
Halleluiah Chorus - Handel
Clicking the  graphic will play the example in a popup window. When the song ends you can close the popup window to return to the lesson. (This method will NOT be available in quizzes)
Clicking the name of the song will play the example in a new window. When the song ends you will need to close the new page to return to the lesson.

Video - There are over 50 videos in this course. There are several ways to watch these videos:

1. All videos are hosted in my google drive. Clicking the play button on the video is the suggested method for viewing the video.
2. Most videos are also hosted in youtube.com. Clicking this link will play the video in a popup window. If my google drive is down this method should work.
3. You can download the video in .mp4 format from my website. This should work for most devices. Use this method if your Internet connection is very slow.
4. If you cannot understand narrations you can open a popup window with a transcript of the spoken words contained in a video.

Software Needed
This course contains numerous audio and video examples. You MUST be able to hear .mp3 files and access video files (either streamed from schooltube.com, youttube.com or play .wmv files).
 

Here is a list of the software that you will need to complete this course:

• A media player that indicates time and can play mp3 audio filetype (Windows Media Player, Itunes, Real Audio are examples) - or, be able to hear mp3 files a browser
  Download Windows Media Player at http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/default.asp
• A browser that can view videos from my google drive or youtube.
  Download Windows Media Player at http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/default.aspx
• A word processor and presentation application (MS Word and/or MS Powerpoint or Google Docs).
  Create an account in Googledocs at https://docs.google.com/ 
• Some assignments require the student to create content on websites (glogster.com, noteflight.com for example) - these websites are free to access, but may require registration.

Netiquette:
Discussion Board Rules
DO NOT respond to inappropriate messages with a message.
DO NOT enter inappropriate messages.
No illegal messages. Posting an illegal message will be considered excessively annoying.
No obscenity or foul language. There is no need to express a message in vulgar language.
Messages which insult or attack an individual are not appropriate. As those messages should be regarded as inappropriate, it is also inappropriate to follow up such a message with a reply
Each user is requested to consider the quantity and quality of his/her messages.
*Supporting* or *attacking* religious belief is inappropriate on this discussion board.

Academic Integrity Expectations
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using the words, whether written or spoken, of someone else as if they are your own. In other words, to plagiarize is to give the impression that you have written or thought something that you actually have taken from someone else. It is unethical and dishonest. It is cheating.
It is also a violation of copyright law to use what someone else has written without giving proper credit to the resource.
Plagiarism includes:

• Copying material word for word without putting it within quotation marks and crediting the writer.
• Paraphrasing any work without giving credit to the initial author.
• Changing a few words but not the original thought of the piece you are taking.

Cheating
Other forms of academic dishonesty that will not be tolerated include:

• Cheating on any school test, assessment or evaluation by using another student's work or allowing another person to use your work.
• Turning in the work (including homework) of another as if it were your own
• Knowingly allowing someone to turn in your work (including homework) as if it is his/her own.

Students should follow Copyright laws and Fair use guidelines.

Grades and course progress will only be shared with the student, the students' advisor/teacher/counselor and the students' parents or legal guardian.

TEKS Covered
§117.314. Music Studies (One Credit), Adopted 2013 TEKS Covered (and where in the course it is covered)

(1)  Foundations: music literacy. The student describes and analyzes music and musical sounds. The student develops organizational skills, engages in problem solving, and explores the properties and capabilities of various musical idioms. The student is expected to:

(A)  experience and explore exemplary musical examples using technology and available live performances; S2U3

(B)  identify and describe melodic and harmonic parts when listening to and performing music using a melodic reading system such as solfège, numbers, letter names, note names, or scale degrees; S1U3

(C)  define concepts of music notation, intervals, and chord structure using appropriate terminology; S1U3, S2U1

(D)  define concepts of rhythm and meter using appropriate terminology and counting system; S1U3

(E)  explore elements of music such as rhythm, meter, melody, harmony, key, expression markings, texture, form, dynamics, and timbre through literature selected for performance; S1U3, S1, U6, S2U1

(F)  apply health and wellness concepts related to music practice such as body mechanics, hearing protection, vocal health, hydration, and appropriate hygienic practices. S2U3

(2)  Foundations: music literacy. The student reads and notates music using an appropriate notation system. The student is expected to:

(A)  read notation systems or manipulate sounds as appropriate to the course of study; S1U3

(B)  read and notate or record and produce music that incorporates rhythmic patterns in simple, compound, and asymmetric meters as appropriate; S1U3

(C)  interpret music symbols and expressive terms referring to concepts such as dynamics, tempo, and articulation as appropriate; S2U1

(D)  demonstrate cognitive skills, including observance of key signature and modalities, while studying or producing music at an appropriate level of difficulty; S1U3

(E)  demonstrate music-making skills such as appropriate use of technology in recording, notating, editing, manipulating, arranging, Standard Motion Picture Time Encryption (SMPT), and emergent technologies. S1U3, S2U3

(3)  Creative expression. The student, individually and in groups, makes music of an appropriate level of difficulty in a variety of genres from notation, recording, or by memory as appropriate. The student is expected to:

(A)  demonstrate, create, or apply characteristic sounds appropriate for the genre; S1U3

(B)  create, examine, or perform a repertoire of music representing a variety of styles, including those from diverse cultures; throughout

(C)  demonstrate understanding of correct articulation and rhythmic accuracy; S1U3

(D)  demonstrate understanding of correct dynamics and phrasing; S2U1

(E)  demonstrate understanding of correct intonation; and S2U3

(F)  exhibit and explain appropriate performance techniques for formal and informal concerts or recording sessions. S2U3

(4)  Creative expression. The student creates original music within specified guidelines. The student is expected to:

(A)  create original musical phrases; and S1U3

(B)  notate or record original musical phrases. S1U3

(5)  Historical and cultural relevance. The student relates music to history, culture, and the world. The student is expected to:

(A)  compare and contrast music by genre, style, culture, and historical period; Throughout the course

(B)  identify music-related vocations and avocations; S2U3

(C)  identify and describe the uses of music in societies and cultures; S1U1, S2U7

(D)  identify and explore the relationship between music and other academic disciplines S1U1, S2U3

(E)  identify and explore the impact of technologies, ethical issues, and economic factors on music, musicians, and performances; S2U6

(F)  identify and explore tools for college and career preparation such as social media applications, repertoire lists, and audition and interview techniques. S2U6

(6)  Critical evaluation and response. The student listens to, responds to, and evaluates music and musical performance in formal and informal settings. The student is expected to:

(A)  practice informed concert etiquette as a performer and an audience member during live and recorded performances in a variety of settings; S2U3

(B)  design and apply criteria for making informed judgments regarding the quality and effectiveness of musical performances; S2U3

(C)  develop processes for self-evaluation and select tools for personal artistic improvement such as critical listening and individual and group performance recordings; S2U3

(D)  evaluate musical performances by comparing them to exemplary models. S2U3

Source: The provisions of this §117.314 adopted to be effective July 28, 2013, 38 TexReg 4575.