2011 YR 8 & 9 Curriculum Handbook FINAL - Indooroopilly State ...

The ArtsMUSICYear 9 Elective SubjectOverviewWhat is Music?Music has influenced people’s lives since thebeginning of time and is a language understoodthroughout the world. It has the ability to lift yourspirits when you’re feeling down or move you to tears.Music is an element of ritual and celebration tocultures throughout the world and ranges from themusic of the everyday through to sacred music.Why study Music?Join Junior Music and learn how to write and playyour own songs, explore different music styles andmake music with your friends. You will learn how tocommunicate your musical ideas and how to writeabout music that you enjoy.While extending your practical skills, this subject willintroduce you to the way that music has been usedand enjoyed by people from different culturesthroughout time.Course OutlineStudents will develop their understanding of Musicthrough the study of the following units of work• The Elements of Music: Rock, Reggae andRock’n Roll• Music and Technology• Music for Film• Music’s classic hitsStudents will also learn about traditional forms ofmusic and the ways that Music has been informed bysocial change.MUSPreferred Pre-RequisitesStudents should have demonstrated an interest inmusic. While not essential, it is beneficial for studentsto be able to read music and to play at least onemusical instrument. As students will be assessed ontheir ability to compose and perform for others, it isstrongly advised for students to have demonstratedan ability to perform for groups of people.AssessmentStudents will be assessed in the following areas:• Knowledge and Understanding ofconcepts and facts• Creating short musical works for performingor recording• Presenting performances as a class orwithin small groups using performance skillsand techniques• Responding to music in both verbal andwritten forms• Reflecting on their learning.Future OptionsFuture career options include being a musician, ateacher or working in the music industry. For manystudents however, music is a recreational pursuit whichremains with them for rest of their lives.Learning ExperiencesStudents will be engaged in both theoretical andpractical learning experiences and often students willhave a lesson in each of these areas each week. Inorder to develop well rounded musicians, students willengage in aural and composition activities individuallyand in small groups.Students will work in small ensembles and individuallyto rehearse and perform self-devised work and thecompositions of others. Prac time is a highlight of thecourse for many students and it is where students areable to hone their performance skills.Theory lessons will involve a range of learningexperiences from classroom note taking to groupdiscussion and research.37