Music Technology
Columbia City High School
Fall Trimester 2008/2009
Eric Criss

Syllabus:

Mission Statement:

To increase student interest and participation in the study, performance and composition of music.

Objectives:

Students will learn

• MIDI
• Cakewalk
• Sony ACID
• Loops
• Audacity
• Digital Audio
• Composition
• Musical Form

Description:

Music Technology students will learn about multi-track recording and mixing. Students will record their own music performance and/or their friend’s music performance and mix and master the recordings to a CD. Music Technology may also use Finale software. Students will create their own music arrangements. Finale serves as the Microsoft Word for writing music. Users “type” their music into the pc. Finale can print the music with profession quality as well as playback the music notated to hear. Finale can save projects as .wav files which can be burned to an audio CD. Potential projects include recording/editing music performances, creating background music and sound effects for open source pc game like Tetris, creating soundtrack music for video commercial, creating class CD recording and other interests of the class.

Assessment:

Assessment will include paper/pencil and performance. Examples of performance assessment include basic piano skills. Homework assignments will build toward a unit exam. Most assignments will require special music software. Computers are available during class. Some programs can be downloaded for free at home. Finale Notepad can be downloaded online at home for free: www.finalemusic.com/notepad.

Classroom Rules:

1. Be on time (attendance and assignments)
2. Cell phones off and away.
3. Mp3 players off and away.
4. Music Technology is a lab-class. Some talking is natural as we collaborate with our computer partner. Be considerate of those around you. Collaboration is not appropriate when someone is in front of the class presenting a topic or leading a discussion.
5. Bring all your materials to class
   1. Since we don't have a text book, there will be numerous handouts to keep sorted.)
   2. Pencils required when notating music.
   3. Headphones - when using computers
   4. Creative Minds - The Arts require creative thinking. Don't be hindered by conventional ideas or methods. Think outside the box.
6. Leave "good enough" at the door. Use ever minute in class to think creatively and polish and tweak your music. Some music projects never stop evolving. They are never complete.
7. Do not play any band instrument you do not personally own.
8. Reset the room the way you found it before the bell.