TAMALPAIS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Larkspur, California

Course of Study

ADVANCED MUSIC TECHNOLOGY:
Technological Applications and the Music Business

1.  INTRODUCTION

Advanced Music Technology is a year-long course focusing upon music creation through the use of technology.  Students will continue their study of notation, music theory, and expressive qualities allowing them to create more complex, involved musical products.  New software will be introduced to students, expanding the possibilities for their musical creations.  Students will combine their M.I.D.I. sequencing abilities with more digital recording to create combinations of computer and human generated music.  Students will put their creations together into products which they will in turn promote in a realistic music business setting.  The emphasis of the class will be on music production and business;  not a specific musical genre.  Students will be required to create projects based upon current pop styles, jazz, and world music.  All students will learn about the professional process and careers in the music industry.  The musical background students learn in class will allow them to continue their work with music technology or make a smooth transition into beginning band and choir.

The technological skills used in the class are applicable to future real world music industry (and some music amateur) experiences.  The methods used to manipulate the music hardware and software translate to other common technology uses. 

Continuing students will explore in-depth musical concepts introduced in the first year.  This detailed study will challenge students to appreciate, analyze, and discuss diverse musics from the perspective of a musician and composer.  The insight gained from this study will aid students in creating complex, original music projects through the use of technology.

The course provides students with opportunities to practice both group and individual project management skills which are applicable to future work both within and outside the music industry.

Business skills mandatory in the music industry will be practiced through the creation of a site-based recording company.  Students will develop a variety of music pieces and compile them into a product.  They will promote that product through advertising, the internet, and music events.  Copyright issues, legal procedures, and royalties will be addressed.

Completion of this course would prepare students for more advanced coursework at a college or university, internships in the industry, and further individualized study through Senior Projects or Workplace learning.

This course addresses the following Tam 2000 goals:

1.  Student Success.  Prepare our students for lives of personal, academic, and professional growth, achievement, and fulfillment.

·	Provide opportunities for, and encourage students to, demonstrate individual and collective responsibility, creativity, productivity, and initiative through class, school, and community projects and experiences.
·	Provide opportunities for meaningful adult/student contacts for each student
·	Provide opportunities for students to acquire the technological skills needed for personal, educational, and employment success.

II.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is designed to help students meet the following Student Learning Outcomes:

#3:  Use technology as a tool to access information, analyze and solve problems, and communicate ideas.

#11:  Interpret, experience, and create and/or perform artistic work

#12:  Demonstrate school-to-work/post-secondary transition skills and knowledge.

Students will:

1.  Compose original music in a variety of styles and using a variety of instrumental and vocal combinations.

2.  Sequence their original ideas through the use of M.ID.I. technology.

3.  Record school musicians on both digital (computer) and analog (audio tape) equipment.

4.  Produce professional quality type-setting projects, including leadsheets, piano-vocal arrangements, guitar tabliture, and symphonic scores.

5.  Complete several music “products”, both individually and as a group, which will be shared with their peers, family, community, and the greater music community.  The production process applied to this product will be reflective of a professional music industry experience.

6.  Create an independent recording company for the promotion and distribution of their original music.  Students will apply business skills focusing upon promotion, image creation, budget, target audiences, and professionalism.  Students will be required to maintain these skills over the course of the year.

6.  Apply long-term project management skills, combining many elements including musical creation, production planning, programming, recording, mix-down, and promotion.

III.  ASSESSMENT

Students will be assessed through a variety of means including

·	Technology projects which will demonstrate their mastery of musical concepts.
·	Projects which will demonstrate their mastery of the technology (software and hardware).
·	The production of a variety of tangible music products (CDs, internet based media).
·	Projects focused upon the establishment of a class recording company.  Students may be working upon different projects, based upon their role in the company.
·	A notebook which will include student notes and reflect the student’s work in the class record company.

Students will be given the course expectations and specific grading criteria at the beginning of the course, in writing. 

B.  Course Assessment

The effectiveness of this course will assessed through a combination of student feedback, administrative observation, and specialist observation.

IV.  METHODS AND MATERIALS

A.  Methods

1.  Instruction and demonstration in advanced ideas regarding the following musical concepts:  melody, rhythm (time signature and values), form, harmony/unison (chords and scales), tone quality, dynamics.

2.  Instruction and demonstration in advanced ideas regarding the following performance  concepts (in relationship to woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments):  tonguing, fingering patterns, ranges of instruments, stick technique, bowing, breath control.

3. Direct instruction and demonstration in the following music business concepts:  image, promotion, target audiences, creative control, advertising, internet music, distribution, copyrights, royalties, and budgeting.

4.  Students will apply the concepts in a variety of group and individual hands-on projects.  They will compose original pieces for both small and large performance groups.  They will exercise their understanding of these concepts by directing and recording ensembles in the performance of their pieces.

5.  Students will apply computer skills to new hardware and software related to the production of music.  They will use notation software to write their ideas in a form communicable to musicians.  They will use sequencing software to produce synthesized audio versions of the notation.  They will use a combination of recording equipment (microphones, mixing board, snake) and digital recording software to record musicians playing the music.

6.  Students will create their own recording company to promote their original music.  They will be responsible for the maintenance and success of their company.

7.  Guest artists will do demonstrations, lectures, informal discussions, and assist students with application projects.

8.  Field trips to music technology production facilities, such as recording studios, management companies, and record companies.

9.  Workplace learning (job shadowing, internships) with music professionals.

10.  Public presentations of projects to audience composed of peers, school staff, parents, and the larger music community.

B.  Materials

Students will use a variety of material including print media, on-line reference tools, audio recordings, digital keyboard, software (including Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 sequencing and recording software, Finale Allegro notation software, Digidesign Pro-Tools digital recording and sequencing software), M.I.D.I. keyboards, analog equipment (Tascam 8 track recorder) and recording equipment (microphones, mixing board).  Students will use a variety of other software for the maintenance and growth of their recording company (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Aldus Pagemaker, Netscape Communicator).  Students will also have access to music department instruments (brass, woodwind, percussion, electronic) for sound experimentation and demonstration.

C.  Technology

This is a technology-intensive course.  Students will make extensive use of the school computer labs and the Music Department’s computer facilities.  In addition, students will use a variety of other technology tools appropriate to the industry such as a Tascam 8 track analog recorder, mixing board, MIDI interfaces, MIDI controllers and sound modules/keyboard, and CD burners.  Accessory equipment such as printers, scanners, Zip drives, CD-Rs, and analog tapes will also be used.

V.  GENERAL INFORMATION

This is a ten-unit, year-long elective course open to students in all grades, 9 – 12.

A.  Prerequisites

Completion of first year Music Technology or consent of the instructor.

B.  Requirements Met

Credits earned may be used to fulfill the district’s Fine Arts graduation requirement or elective requirement.  This course currently does not meet any specific college entrance requirements.  This course is repeatable for credit.  The written work in the notebook can be used for freshman and sophomore portfolios.

Approved: 2/13/01