Music Appreciation

Description

Course Outline:

Students cover topics on a weekly basis, according to grade level and musical background.

The goal of the course is to familiarize the students with music fundamentals and allow a creative venue for self expression.

Every week, students learn new songs and acquire musical knowledge.

Topics include:

Music Notation

• Reading and writing music
• Identifying rhythms and tunes from music notation

Music History

• Understanding musical styles
• History of musical instruments and recording devices
• Music of Dovid Hamelech and the Beis Hamikdash

Instrumental Music

• Introduction to flute music
• Introduction to piano music
• Introduction to guitar music
• Introduction to percussion instruments

Musical Composition

• Learning how music is composed and recorded
• Matching words to a tune
• Dramatizing songs, stories, and poems
• Recording students’ original compositions with audio recording tools
• Writing students’ original compositions with musical notation
• Composing songs as learning aids

Vocal Music

• Students learn new songs every week, connected to the weekly parsha or Torah units
• Students learn about harmony and vocal styles
• Students record their singing with digital recording devices

Music as a Tool

• Understanding how music affects mood
• Identifying tunes as fast/slow, happy/sad
• Using music as a mnemonic device for remembering facts
• How music affects the neshamah
• Tefillah tunes
• Learning safe and responsible use of music equipment
• Respecting copyright and royalty requirements when using works of others

Music Vocabulary

• Learning names and groups of instruments
• Learning names of musical notes
• Understanding musical terms such as rhythm, tone, pitch, tempo