Music History
What Is Music History?
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Music history explores, much as the name implies, the history of music. Music is a singularly unique form of human expression and has always been a part of humanity itself. There has never been a culture that has not had some form of music.
This class focuses on a Western musical tradition, that is, the written music of Europe and the Americas. We begin in the ancient cultures of Egypt and Israel and move chronologically through history into modern times. We explore connections between music and culture as well as how music has evolved through time. Focus is given to many of the most influential musicians from Johann Sebastian Bach to Ludwig van Beethoven to Chuck Berry.
Learning about music is an admirable pursuit, but experiencing music is a far more meaningful experience. To this end, listening is emphasized and throughout the class we let each composer’s music speak for itself. Throughout this year-long course we will listen to several hours of wonderful music.
Purpose and Goals
The purpose of this class is to give non-musicians and musicians alike the opportunity to explore the background and basic concepts of music. Further the class is structured to prepare students for learning styles typically used in college and university settings. These include lecture and note taking as well as the development of effective listening skills.
Classroom Text
The class text is The Enjoyment of Music (9th Edition) by Joseph Machlis and Kristine Forney. There are enough copies of this text for each student to have their own copy, however since we primarily use the text in class, students are encouraged to leave their books at school. Whenever a student wishes to take their textbook home, it can be checked out from the classroom teacher at any time.
Other sources that have been highly influential in the creation of the class lecture series include:
A History of Western Music (6th Edition) by Claude V. Palisca and David J. Grout
Rock and Roll: An Introduction by Michael Campbell and James Brody.
The Grove Encyclopedia of Music and Musicians hosted by OxfordMusicOnline.com
Grading Policies
There are three types of assignments in Music History: class work, tests, and projects. Class work, which is 40% of the final grade, is done in class on a daily basis. It includes the daily “Do Now Assignment,” daily lecture notes and occasional written or drawing assignments in the notebooks. Tests, which are 30% of the final grade, are a chance for students to utilize the notes they have taken in class and demonstrate their understanding of the material. All Music History tests are open note. Projects, which are 30% of the grade, are opportunities for the students to choose an area of interest within Music History and go in depth with their understanding of a particular topic. Projects are completed entirely as homework, though students are encouraged to ask questions about their projects in class. Students must complete their projects if they expect to pass the class.
In general, work is graded on a basis of effort and completion. When students take their time and follow the directions, they tend to earn high marks. Likewise students whose work shows a lack of effort or a failure to follow directions tend to earn low marks. Work is expected to be turned in on time but late work is accepted at a slight penalty. The later the work is turned in, the more points that are lost, but even receiving a low grade on a project is better overall than getting a zero. Students may e-mail their projects if they prefer to save on paper and ink.
Students are encouraged to use technology to help them on various assignments, however in this age of the internet, it has become very easy for students to copy entire essays from a website and turn it in as their own work. Using another person’s words as your own is known as plagiarism. Plagiarism is stealing and will not be tolerated. It is unethical and against school policies. Any time you use more than five words from another source you must use quotations and provide a citation (bibliography). If you are caught in the act of plagiarism you will receive a zero on that assignment. In college you can be expelled for plagiarizing.
A Word On Projects...
Projects are where you get to gain an in-depth understanding of a topic or concept from Music History. Usually projects have a degree of freedom and choice so you can focus on a topic that is most interesting to you. Some projects are required and must be completed if you wish to pass the class. Other projects are optional and may be completed for extra credit with the teacher's permission..
Mythology
Required – 1st Semester. Most ancient cultures have some form of mythology (stories about supernatural beings that influenced the world or explained some natural phenomenon). Find a myth that involves music in some way and find a creative way to tell that story. Click here for the directions. Click here for a summary of the three Greek myths covered in class.
Doctrine of Affections
Required – 1st Semester. The Baroque composers focused their music by allowing only a single emotion to be represented by any one work of music. Today’s music is just as full of emotions. You will create a playlist or mix CD that represents the broad spectrum of emotions that you find in your favorite music. Click here for the directions.
Comparing Baroque Masters
Optional – 1st Semester. The three greatest composers of the Baroque era (Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi) had many things in common as well as many unique differences. Write a five paragraph essay (double spaced, 12 point font) exploring these similarities and differences. Do not simply report on the three composers individually, rather find the ways in which they are alike and different and focus on those aspects.
Describing Music
Required – 2nd Semester. Using the vocabulary we have learned in class, analyze any song from your own collection. Click here for the directions.
Musicals & Operas
Required – 2nd Semester. Watch a musical or opera and write a report about it. Annual musicals are performed at BHS as well as at many other nearby high schools and community colleges. Musicals and operas are also frequently aired on public television or are available for rent at local video stores or the library. For the purposes of this project, the musical or opera must be live action (no cartoons) and must have been performed on stage at some point. Click here for the directions.
Who Was Left Out?
Optional– 2nd Semester. Inevitably any course on music history leaves some people out of the curriculum. There is simply too much music and too many great composers to fit everything into a single year class. This is your opportunity to teach your teacher about someone who we did not study in class. Do some research and see who you can find that you think should have been included in music history. Then write a five paragraph (double spaced, 12 point font) essay about your chosen composer and create a minimum 5 slide Power Point presentation giving the main facts about your composer and his or her music. Click here for directions.
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Who Was Left Out of Rock?
Optional – 2nd Semester. Just like we did for “classical” music, there are some great and influential bands and performers that are not included in the class lectures. Do some research and see who you can find that you think should have been included in our Music History class. To be remembered in music history it is not enough to simply be a great band, you must be influential. As you make your case for a band or performer, you must demonstrate how they influenced contemporary and later musicians. Then write a five paragraph (double spaced, 12 point font) essay about your chosen composer and create a minimum 5 slide Power Point presentation giving the main facts about your performer or group and his or her music.
Build An Instrument
Optional – All Year. Instruments can be divided into families of classification: Aerophones (those that make music by blowing air through them), Chordophones (those that have strings which are hit, plucked, or bowed), Idiophones and Membranophones (instruments that are struck to make a sound such as bells or drums). Using your imagination and materials you have at home or can acquire from hobby or hardware stores, build a basic musical instrument. Your instrument must be capable of playing five distinct notes and you must be able to perform a simple song upon it. Click here for directions and resources.
Final Project
Required – 2nd Semester. For the final project you will select a topic on which you will focus. Topics will be chosen in class and must be teacher approved. Then you will create a two page scrapbook on your topic including important facts, pictures, charts or graphs, and other graphics. An example and the instructions are here.This is due on the day of the final. You will need to present your project to the teacher and be prepared to answer any questions about material presented in your project
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Don't forget that projects are 30% or your grade and that it is virtually impossible to pass the class unless you do each of the required projects.