Middle School Music

Required Materials:

• instrument of choice
• piece of music of choice (sheet music/for notation)

Syllabus:

Module 1 - Instruments of the Orchestra

Objectives:

• Learn the sections and standard layout of the orchestra.
• Learn the different instruments of the orchestra.
• Listen to examples of orchestrated works.
• Learn about careers in music.
• Learn the different sections of the orchestra.
• Listen to examples of different instruments working together.
• Learn about careers in music performance.

Lessons:

• The Orchestra
• Instrument Sections

Module 2 - Creating Sound

Objectives:

• Understand the structures of the human body and the mechanics of singing.
• Know the different resonances and registers for singing.
• Understand what a break is.
• Learn the different styles of singing.
• Learn proper care techniques for the human voice.
• Choose the instrument to be performed for the school year.
• Research the instrument to be practiced and performed during the school year.
• Produce a correct sound with the instrument.

Lessons:

• The Voice as an Instrument
• Activity 1: Choosing Your Instrument
• Activity 2: Playing Your Instrument

Module 3 - Sight-Reading

Objectives:

• Learn the basics of reading music.
• Understand the different rhythmic elements of music.
• Read music written on the staff.
• Learn the names of the notes in solfège.
• Learn the history of solfège.
• Learn the hand signs for solfège.
• Correctly interpret a song by showing the hand signs for each note.
• Play or sing notes correctly with solfège.

Lessons:

• Reading Music
• Solfège Notes and Curwen Hand Signs

Module 4 - Musical Notation

Objectives:

• Learn the different tempos of music.
• Recognize transitions in tempo.
• Apply the terms learned to modern examples.
• Learn different forms of articulation and how to perform them.
• Learn the basic levels of dynamics and how to perform them.
• Understand how transitions in dynamics work.
• Understand how repeat signs work and how to perform them.

Lessons:

• Musical Notation: Tempo
• Musical Notation: Dynamics and Articulation

Module 5 - Musical Forms

Objectives:

• Understand what a musical form is.
• Understand and identify ABA, rondo, and theme and variation musical forms.
• Understand and be able to identify different types of variations.
• Learn when and how a repeat sign is used.
• Identify where a repeat sign is in a piece.
• Learn the parts of sonata form.
• Understand how sonata form is structured.
• Introduce variations on sonata form.

Lessons:

• Musical Form
• Sonata Form

Module 6 - Genre and Style

Objectives:

• Learn the basics of genre.
• Understand that not all musicians agree on genre.
• Be able to identify different genres based on the criteria given.
• Learn the difference between musical genre and musical style.
• Become familiar with different styles of Western music.
• Understand what a cover of a song is.
• Determine whether a cover is the same or a different style from the original.
• Understand the difference between an amateur and a professional musician.

Lessons:

• Musical Genre
• Musical Style

Module 7 - Vocal Genres

Objectives:

• Learn the different Western art vocal genres.
• Understand the historical ties to different genres.
• Learn which techniques and styles are associated with which genres.
• Learn the history of the choir.
• Learn different choral arrangements.
• Make critical thinking decisions regarding performance and preferences.

Lessons:

• Voice Genres Throughout History
• The Choir

Module 8 - World Music and Art Music Etiquette

Objectives:

• Learn more about different musical styles, genres, and instruments from different cultures.
• Understand the mystical history of music in Asia.
• Learn what to wear to a classical performance.
• Learn when to arrive at a classical performance.
• Understand how and when to respond to a classical performance.

Lessons:

• Asian Music
• Art Music Etiquette