122+Music+Course+Outline

Grade 122 Music Course Outline Instructor – Mr. D. Bossé

The FHS Music Department has received a tier 3 Innovative Learning Fund that will be incorporated into the grade 11 and 12 music courses. A percentage of this course will focus on music performance while the remainder of the course will incorporate the prescribed provincial music curriculum and the ILF project entitled “Connecting Literacy and Music”

This course is designed as a student-driven program. This course expects you to be responsible and professional in your approach to your work and performances. . All assignments must be type written. Assignments, which are not type written will not be accepted and will be given a mark of 0. Proper footnotes and bibliography are to be used. Formal writing style is to be followed. 10% daily will be deducted from late assignments.

Music 122 consists of the following components and their allotted percentage of time and worth.

Music Criticism Value – 5%

1. Find an article from music periodicals or journals pertaining to a particular area of interest. The article may be obtained from magazines available in the FHS library, my office, the university library or the internet (Google Scholar). You will have to spend some time researching the article. This is part of the process for this assignment. You will write a two-page review of the article (double spaced). In the review comment on the style of writing, the intended readership. The paper should summarize and provide your reasoned reaction to the article. Evaluation—4% for summary, 4% for the response, and 2% for structure.

Due: February Value 5%

Discussion Forum on the Music 122 Wiki Space Value - 10%

Students will take part in a discussion forum with students from Woodstock High School on various music topics. Some of your writing assignments will be posted on the space for discussion and criticism (positive criticism that is). Students may also start their own discussions on this sight.

Canadian Music Unit – 15%

1. You will give an oral presentation on one of the following chapters of the McGee’s Music of Canada. Chapters 4, 5, 6, & 7. The chapters will be assigned to groups of 3 to 4. Each group will be assigned a chapter. The material may be divided up so that each individual is responsible for part of the chapter. A one-page summary of your presentation will be passed in to the instructor and shared with your classmates. Due: February Value 5%

2. Students will write an assignment of 3 to 5 pages in length and deliver an oral presentation on a Canadian music institution, which possesses a national profile. Possible topics include: CBC, Canadian Music Centre, conservatories of music, National Art Centre, SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), The Canada Council, The Associations of Orchestras, The Canadian Music Educators’ Association. a professional choir, orchestra or chamber ensemble. Start this assignment soon. You will present seminars in the last week of November and the first week of December. Share your information with the class in a clear and concise format. Do not read your paper to the class.

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3. Students will write a research paper of about 3 to 5 pages in length on a Canadian Music Centre Associate composer. The focus of the paper is to be on the composer’s musical style. You may include biographical information, but do not let this information become the focus of your paper. If you want scores of the composer’s music you can borrow them from the Canadian Music Centre in Sackville, NB. These can be requested by access through the internet. Recordings will be harder to access, although some are available from the recording library in my office. You will need to listen to the composer’s music before writing your paper. The principal resource to start your research is a book in the binder format entitled Directory of Associated Composers also available from the library in my office. Seminars will begin in late November and early December.

Due April Value – 10%

Composition Unit Value 25% Except for the first composition all others must be written using the music software Sibelius

1. Through creativity and exploration you will compose a soundscape with the use of a digital recording device and sound editor. You will collect field recordings as part of your composition. Sound samples may also be used as part of the composition. Your final composition will be presented to the class.

Due February Value – 5%

2. Students will create and perform a melody of at least 32 bars (non-duple meter). This can be for the student’s own instrument or for another band instrument. The final project will be written and performed. Your melody should be constructed around one or two motifs. The composition must be composed with the use of the music software Sibelius.

Due March Value 5%

3. Students will set a short text to music using simple chordal accompaniment. The music should be sensitive to the words. The piece will be presented in class.

Due April Value 5%

4. Each Student will compose, minimum, a two-minute composition. The piece can be conceived for any idiom. The composer must be able to explain the form and any other unique attribute of the piece. The piece may be written for one or more instruments. The piece will be performed in class. The students must arrange for musicians to perform their composition and have it recorded in the recording studio. You will use the recording technology to produce and mix your final project. A CD cover will have to be designed in consultation with the students in the 110 Graphic Art course.

Due May Value 10%

Theory Value 5%

Students will work on diatonic harmony. A series of assignments will be give throughout the semester. Students will write a final project during the examination period.

Final Project 5%

Performance Unit. Value 40%

You will perform three times during this semester. The first one is a pretest. It gives you a chance to adjust to the mechanics of the performance process. For the first one you may select something you are familiar with.

The other two performances will be presented as formal recitals to the class. Ten minutes in length. You should have two pieces prepared for these performances. Piano players may prepare one major piece with multiple movements. There will be an element of professionalism to these recitals. Students will be responsible for writing program notes on their performance pieces, which may be assembled in a program.

You must present a copy of the music, which you will be performing to me, for approval, three weeks prior to each performance.

Pretest – Last week of February.

Recital one March

Recital two May

• Some assignments may be changed to help meet the objectives of the ILF project

Students will be required to keep a journal reflecting on your musical experiences, progress and developments during the duration of this course. Daily entries should be made.