Units of Study
Test Cheat Sheet/Note Card Dimensions:
Top: 1.0 in. Right: 1.0 in.
Bottom: 7.0 in. Left: 2.5 in.
UNIT 1: Exploring Musical Styles: In this unit, we will listen to many different styles of music from all over the world We will hear several styles including ska, calypso, african tribal music, japanese taiko, and french romantic. We will discuss in depth the characteristics of music beginning with the Baroque period through the atonal developments in the 20th century.
iMOVIE: The students will choose an African-American composer and create an iMovie on his/her life. This iMovie will be about 5 minutes in length. Class time will be given for research. Students are expected to work on this at home, as well. Each student will present their iMovie to the class.
UNIT 2: Rhythm Plays a Role: In this unit, the students will learn to conduct like a real conductor. We will discuss in more detail the role of meter in music. The students will begin to experiment with irregular and compound meter.
External Websites
JAZZ: In connection with the 8th grade LA classes and The Great Gatsby, we will be doing a unit on Jazz music and it's effect on American life. We will use the packet below to explore the roots of Jazz music, growth in popularity in the 1920s, and famous Jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. At the end of the unit, we will take what we have learned and attempt to come up with a definition of Jazz music. "The Letter" Example
External Websites
PIRATES OF PENZANCE: We will watch this operetta in class. The students will then research the lives and careers of Gilbert and Sullivan. These two men changed the face of musical entertainment. They opened many doors for composers and performers, alike.
UNIT 3: Harmony: In this unit, we will discuss the importance of harmony in music by listening to several different styles of music beginning with gospel. We will delve deeper into the importance of key signatures. We will also learn about some of the harmonic developments in the 20th century.
External Websites
Top: 1.0 in. Right: 1.0 in.
Bottom: 7.0 in. Left: 2.5 in.
UNIT 1: Exploring Musical Styles: In this unit, we will listen to many different styles of music from all over the world We will hear several styles including ska, calypso, african tribal music, japanese taiko, and french romantic. We will discuss in depth the characteristics of music beginning with the Baroque period through the atonal developments in the 20th century.
- Unit 1 Vocabulary Packet
- "Music in the Baroque Period" Article
- "Music in the Baroque Period" Worksheet
- Romantic Period Article
- Romantic Period Worksheet
- The Harmonica activity
- "One Love" by Bob Marley - Reggae
- "Sell Out" by Reel Big Fish - Ska
- Schubert's "Death and the Maiden"
- Schubert's Impromptu in G-flat Major
- Schubert's Winterreise, "Erstarrung"
iMOVIE: The students will choose an African-American composer and create an iMovie on his/her life. This iMovie will be about 5 minutes in length. Class time will be given for research. Students are expected to work on this at home, as well. Each student will present their iMovie to the class.
UNIT 2: Rhythm Plays a Role: In this unit, the students will learn to conduct like a real conductor. We will discuss in more detail the role of meter in music. The students will begin to experiment with irregular and compound meter.
- Unit 2 Vocabulary Packet
- Barline Worksheet #1
- Modest Mussorgsky Web Hunt
- "The Jazz Scene" Article
- "The Jazz Scene" Worksheet
- Compound Meter Worksheet
- Barline Worksheet #2
External Websites
JAZZ: In connection with the 8th grade LA classes and The Great Gatsby, we will be doing a unit on Jazz music and it's effect on American life. We will use the packet below to explore the roots of Jazz music, growth in popularity in the 1920s, and famous Jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. At the end of the unit, we will take what we have learned and attempt to come up with a definition of Jazz music. "The Letter" Example
External Websites
- "Follow the Drinking Gourd" video/explanation
- Fisk Jubilee Singers - "Done What You Tole Me To Do"
- Duke Ellington - "March of the Floreadors"
- Duke Ellington - "Take the A-Train"
- Louis Armstrong - "Stardust"
- Louis Armstrong - "What a Wonderful World"
- Duke Ellington & Louis Armstrong - "It Don't Mean a Thing"
- Louis Armstrong & Sidney Bechet - "Cakewalkin' Babies"
- Jelly Roll Morton - "Original Jelly Roll Blues"
- Benny Goodman - "Sing, Sing, Sing"
- Ella Fitzgerald - "A-Tisket, A-Tasket"
- "Happy Days Are Here Again" - theme song of the 1920s
PIRATES OF PENZANCE: We will watch this operetta in class. The students will then research the lives and careers of Gilbert and Sullivan. These two men changed the face of musical entertainment. They opened many doors for composers and performers, alike.
UNIT 3: Harmony: In this unit, we will discuss the importance of harmony in music by listening to several different styles of music beginning with gospel. We will delve deeper into the importance of key signatures. We will also learn about some of the harmonic developments in the 20th century.
- Unit 3 Vocabulary Packet
- George Frederic Handel Biography and Worksheet
- "Hallelujah Chorus" Score
- Seek and Circle 1 & 2
- Find and Define
- Write the Retrograde Worksheet
- 12-Tone Retrograde Worksheet
- Schoenberg and Atonality Article
- Schoenberg and Atonality Worksheet
- "Say Hallelujah to Gospel" Article
- "Say Hallelujah to Gospel" Worksheet
- William Grant Still Biography
- William Grant Still Worksheet
- Franz Schubert Web Hunt
External Websites
- "Hallelujah Chorus" - Silent Monks
- Pierrot Lunaire by Schoenberg (excerpt)
- "Hosanna" by Kirk Franklin - Gospel
- Afro-American Symphony by William Grant Still
- "The Erlking" by Schubert