What to Study for Theory and Ear Training

- identifying key signatures
- Italian terms (cresc, decres, rit, accel, p, mp, mf, f etc)
- repeat signs and barlines
- time signatures
- syncopation
- chord identification
- rhythmic dictation

EXAM OUTLINE - SECOND YEAR STUDENTS

PART A: Ear Training /10
- listening and identifying chords
- rhythmic dictation

PART B: Music Analysis /10
- listening to two pieces of music and analysing features to determine what era they are from

PART C: Music History Essay /50

- full five paragraph essay addressing a question related to music, history, society and/or technology

Culminating Timelines - reminder

Wednesday Jan 8 - email Works Cited to Ms. Simmons

Thursday Jan 9 - Composition Check-in

Friday Jan 10 - Factsheet Handouts to Ms. Simmons

Monday Jan 13 - Factsheet and Works Cited due, Presentations begin

Tuesday Jan 14, Wednesday Jan 15 - Presentations continue

Thursday Jan 16, Friday Jan 17 - Exam Review

Monday Jan 20, Tuesday Jan 21 - Sharing Compositions

Wednesday Jan 23 - In-class Exam

We are now making the transition from term work to Culminating Activities.

At some point this week everyone should finish the following:

- Reading Response #1-5

- Listening Portfolio #1-5

- All composition projects (recently: Tone Poems, Historical Compositions and 4 part progressions)

Ms. Simmons will be handing out your Culminating Activity assignments and a plan for the next four weeks. Looking forward to seeing the fruition of your learning this semester!

Listening Portfolio #5: ROMANTIC ERA and 20th CENTURY  (the last one)

We are going to listen to pieces that cover the major features of these important eras. Your job:

Pick 3 (THREE) of the following pieces and 1 (ONE) of your choice.

Listen to them. For the pieces below, visit http://tdsb.naxosmusiclibrary.com/ (see Ms. Simmons for password) or find a version on YouTube.

Write a paragraph (150-200 words) response to EACH piece. In writing your response, consider the questions of the Critical Analysis Process:

 Initial Reaction

• What is your first impression of the music?
• What does it remind you of?
• What is your emotional reaction?
• What puzzles you about this music? Do you have any questions?
• Can you make any personal connections to it?

Description

• rhythm - speed?
• melody - improvisation?
• harmony - major/minor?
• texture - layers?
• form - how is organized?
• dynamics - loud, soft?
• timbre - the instruments used?
• other comments on the feel, mood or affect of the piece

Playlist #5: ROMANTIC ERA and 20th CENTURY

Pick one of these:

1. Wagner - "Ride of the Valkyries" from Die Walkure
2. Rachmaninov - any of his piano pieces - watch this version
3. Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake Theme

Pick one of these:
4. Scuhmann - "Ich grolle nicht"
5. Bizet - "Toreador" from Carmen
6. Paganini - any of his Caprices - watch this version

Pick one of these:
7. Debussy - "Claire de Lune"
8. Schoenberg - Pierrot Lunaire (get ready to be spooked out)
 9. Bartok - Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta

Plus one of your own choice from the Romantic era.

Due emailed to Ms. Simmons by Monday Dec 16.

New assignment: Romantic Tone Poem

A tone poem is a piece of music that portray a work of literature such as a poem or novel. They were popular in the Romantic Era when composers were fascinated with exploring themes like death, the supernatural, heroism, nationalism, war, fantasy, mythology, etc. Composers used dynamics and timbre (instrument colours) which were new in the Romantic era to tell the stories through music. Sometimes they would have musical ideas (called motives, or motifs) to represent different characters, and would use these throughout their pieces. Here is a link to information on the Romantic Era.

The Assignment

You are going to chose a work of literature - either a poem or book you know, one that is NOT already a movie or song is preferable. Here is a link to a place to find poems. The deadline for Selection of Literature will be Fri Dec 6.

Your piece can use any instruments you wish, any style of music, but must capture the aspects of the literature. Think about setting, plot developments, characters, mood, action, etc in the work you have chosen. How will you represent this in music? You will write one paragraph explaining what your choices are going to be and how you will represent them in music, due Monday Dec 9.

Your piece must be at least 3 MINUTES LONG and have at least 3 DISTINCT MUSICAL IDEAS representing plot, action, mood, etc. You will explain your piece to the class before presenting.

Timeline

- selection of literature - Fri Dec 6

- paragraph outline of your composition plan emailed to lauren.simmons@tdsb.on.ca - Monday Dec 9

- final composition due - Friday Dec 13

Some examples of Romantic Tone Poems:

- Strauss, "Don Quixote" - listen for the musical representations of goats, and of windmills
- Mendelssohn, "Midsummer Night's Dream" - listen for the fairies flying about!
- Debussy, "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" - listen to the way to mood is captured with the modal chords and harmonies!

Remember that you can choose any work of literature for an inspiration, as long as you have a way to musically express the events or characters, like these composers do.

OLD WORK:
- Listening Portfolio #3 LATE
- Reading Response #4 LATE
- Theory Quiz re-do tomorrow (Tuesday)

NEW FIRST YEAR COMPOSITION: FOUR PART PROGRESSION

Our next composition assignment will continue to focus on Theory concepts through composing.

• We will learn about the C, F, G, G7, a- and d7 triads. Ms Simmons will teach from the board.
• You're going to learn to PLAY THE BASIC PROGRESSION BY WEDNESDAY NOV 27.

You're going to learn how to write music using these chords.

• You're going to make YOUR OWN CHORD PROGRESSION BY FRIDAY NOV 29. .
• You're going to add a melody to your chord progression and have the MELODY PLUS CHORDS FOR TUESDAY DEC 3.
• You will be handing in a written copy.

SECOND YEAR: RECORDING PROJECT

Let's begin!