TAMALPAIS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Larkspur, California

Course of Study

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY:
Technology and Creativity in the Music Industry

I. INTRODUCTION

Music Technology is a year-long course focusing upon music creation through the use of technology.  Students will study notation, music theory, and expressive qualities so they can effectively communicate their ideas.  Students will learn basic performance concepts so they can produce “realistic” and playable music.  Using basic computer skills, students will be able to quickly and easily create digital music, through sequencing, recording, and typesetting.  Since the emphasis of the class will be on music production and not a specific musical genre, studies will include current pop styles, classical, 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 make for a smooth transition into beginning band or choir.

The technological skills used in this 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. 

Music newcomers will learn musical concepts that will expand their appreciation of diverse musics and give them the tools to pursue original musical 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. 

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 Advanced Music Technology, 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 persona, 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.Sequence both original and pre-composed music using MIDI technology

2. Arrange pre-composed music through the use of sequencing.

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 tablature, and symphonic scores.

5. Complete a music “product” either individually or in a group, which can be shared with their peers, family, and community.  The completed project shall include a compact disc, notation of all involved music, practice tapes for musicians, and internet compatible media. The production process applied to this product will be reflective of a professional music industry experience.

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

III. ASSESSMENT

A. Student Assessment

Students will be assessed through a variety of means including

•	Written theory quizzes
•	Short technology projects which require mastery of technology (both hardware and   oftware)
•	Long-term technology projects which result in a tangible music product (CD, sequence,    web-site)
•	A notebook which includes journal entries following steps in a project production process; an evolving promotion package; written music examples and notes; and theory handouts 

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

B. Course Assessment

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

IV. METHODS AND MATERIALS 

A. Methods 

1. Direct instruction in the following musical concepts: melody, rhythm (time signatures and values), form, harmony/unison (chords and scales), tone quality, dynamics.

2. Direct instruction in the following musical terms and symbols: Staf, clef (treble, bass, tenor), measure, bar, double bar, repeat signs, accidentals, tie, slur.

3. Direct instruction in the following performance concepts (in relationship to woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments): tonguing, fingering patterns, ranges of instruments, stick technique, bowing, breath control.

4. Students will apply the concepts, terms, and symbols in a variety of group and individual hands-on projects. They will create personalized arrangements of traditional music and compose original pieces for both small and large performance groups.

5. Students will apply basic 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 equiapment (microphones, mixing board, snake) and digital recording software to record musicians playing the music.

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

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

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

8. Public presentations of projects to audiences composed of peers, school staff, parents, and the larger community.

B. Materials

Students will use a variety of materials included print media, on-line reference tools,  audio recordings, software (including Finale Allegro notation software, Digidesign Pro-Tools digital recording and sequencing software), analog equipment (Tascam 8 track recorder) and recording equipment (microphones, mixing board).  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 Tamscam 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. This course is not repeatable for credit, but students may enroll in Advanced Music Technology or a subsequent Senior Project or Workplace Learning experience in music technology.  The written work produced in this course can be used in the Core Literacy Portfolio.

A. Prerequisites   

Completion of the Computer Literacy requirement 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 does not meet any specific college entrance requirements.

Approved: 3-11-00
Revised:    6/04