website:   http://www.geocities.com/reinsteinalan           

emails: [email protected]        [email protected]

 

Course Definition. 

This CONNECT course is for aspiring songwriters (who may or may not also be musicians) who want to develop the craft of songwriting through combining the study of music theory with participation in a writer’s workshop.  The coursework will lead to an eventual production of a CD of student compositions and a CD release event that may include live performances.  Students will study both aspects of songwriting—musical and lyrical proficiency—in classes divided evenly with the music and English instructors. 

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING.  The final grade for the course is based on the average of the two grades for Terms 3 and 4. A term grade is expressed by the following breakdown:

 

o       TERM 3

§       Music—50%

·       Listening journal (10%)

·       Oral presentation analyzing a song of student’s choice (10)

·       Three motives (5)

·       One melody (5)

·       Two chord progression templates (5)

·       One blues song (5)

·       One verse/chorus song (5)

·       Participation—discussions/collaboration (5)

 

§       English—50%

·       4-5 page analytical essay (1200-1500 words) [Honors—2000 words] explication on a favorite song examining its value both musically and lyrically, with an examination of at least two other songs by the same songwriter (20)

·       Three rhymed quatrains using AABB, ABAB, and ABCB rhyme patterns (5)

·       Three original song lyrics [at least one blues; at least one rhymed; at least one with a verse/chorus song structure), each with one-page (300-350 words) reflection on the creative process (15) (5 for each song + reflection)

·       Workshop preparation (song with key questions for the class) (5)

·       Participation—discussions/collaboration (5)

 

o       TERM 4

§       Music—65%

·       Listening journal (10)

·       Final original song project (50)

o       Lab participation (10)

o       Recording protocol (10)

o       Use of musical elements (motive, melody, chord progression) (30)

·       Participation—discussions/collaboration (5)

 

§       English—35%

·       One original song lyric with one-page (300-350 words) reflection (5)

·       Four songs revised (originals with revisions), with a two-page (600 words) reflection on the revision process (10)

·       3-4 page (1000-1200 words) [Honors—1500 words] final essay reflection on the creative process for the recorded song (15)

·       Participation—discussions/collaboration (5)

 

o       PARTICIPATION (10% each term).  So much of the value of the course comes from the effort you bring to sharing your own work and sharing your conscientious thoughts on the work of others. 

 

o      EXTRA CREDIT  (3% each term)—outside reading; extra writing on any songwriting related topic; open mic participation or attendance

 

HONORS REQUIREMENTS

• Students taking this course for honors credit should expect to the following:
• Essay length requirements will be typically 500 more words
• Outside reading each term related to songwriting craft or an influential songwriter, along with a short reflection paper or five one-page journal entries
• Coordination of the final project CD album cover and liner—artwork, lyrics, etc.

 

 

GRADING SCALE

A  92.9-100 %    A-  90-92.8    B+ 86.9-89.8    B  82.9-86.8    B-  79.9-82.8    C+  76.9-79.8   C  72.9-76.8  

C-  69.9-72.8    D+  66.9-69.8   D  62.9-66.8    D-  58.5-62.8

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

 

TERM 3

1.     Week of 1/26—Course Introduction; What is a motive?

2.     Week of 2/2—Student motives; songwriting influences

3.     Week of 2/9—Melody and rhyme—student melodies; 4-5 pg. analytical essay on three songs of one songwriter due

Week of 2/16—WINTER BREAK

4.     Week of 2/23—Chords and chord progression—student chord progressions; rhymed quatrains

5.     Week of 3/2—Blues—blues patterns, sample songs, and student original blues song

6.     Week of 3/9— Blues—more samples; student original blues songs

7.     Week of 3/16—Song forms—verse/chorus; student original songs; songwriter’s workshop

8.     Week of 3/23—Song forms—more forms; student original songs; songwriter’s workshop

 

TERM 4

1.     Week of 3/30—Song forms—more forms; student original songs; songwriter’s workshop

2.     Week of 4/6—Song production; songwriter’s workshop (revising)

3.     Week of 4/13—Song production; songwriter’s workshop; four songs revised

Week of 4/20—SPRING BREAK

4.     Week of 4/27—Final Project/CD production—rehearsing and recording single song for CD

5.     Week of 5/4 (A.P. Exams) Final Project/CD production—rehearsing and recording single song for CD

6.     Week of 5/11 (A.P. Exams)—Final touches; CD Release party

7.      Week of 5/18—final week for seniors—kickball or group activity; 3-4 pg. essay on the creative process

 

 

Late Work/Make-up Policy.

·       Assignments turned in after the date due may receive one grade lower (for example, from a B to a C) and after one week has passed, two grades lower (from a B to a D).  If you are absent for an excusable reason and are unable to turn in an assignment on time, you have until the day you return to school to hand in the assignment.  Afterwards, the same policy applies.  Special circumstances must be discussed with the teacher.

 

·       If you miss a class, you are responsible to find out about work missed, the evening’s homework, and be prepared the following day.  Weekly assignment schedules will be given to each student as well as be available on the class website.  Please email any concerns or questions.

 

 

·       If you miss the explanation of an assignment because of an excusable absence, you are still responsible to complete the assignment by the given due date.  In some cases, you may be given an appropriate extension.

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE. 

Below is the school attendance policy, in case you need to be reminded.  We can’t stress enough how important your consistent attendance is to the class (to every class you take, really).  Your attendance is one way you show support both to your classmates, for the work they do that benefits from your comments, and to the teachers, who plan lessons with all of the students’ participation in mind.  According to the policy, you’re allowed two unexcused absences—and eight overall absences—before you may lose credit for the term.  Please be careful not to risk losing credit—no one wants this to happen.

 

 

You are expected to be in class, on time every day.  If you are late, you must bring a note from a teacher, counselor, nurse, or house secretary; otherwise, it will be considered an unexcused tardy.  Three unexcused tardies equal one class cut.  A first cut results in a J-block detention with me.  For subsequent cuts, your housemaster assigns administrative detentions.  Three cuts or a total of nine absences (excused or unexcused) in a term results in a failing grade (N) for that term.

 

·      Excused Absence.  If your absence from class is excused, your name will show up on the attendance list as either absent, tardy to school, dismissed early, or on an attached list from a teacher with an appropriate explanation.

 

·      Unexcused Absence.  If you are not in school and neither a parent nor guardian has called in to the house office by 10:00 a.m. the day of the absence, you will be listed in attendance as AbsUn, an unexcused absence.  The absence may become excused only with a blue note from the house secretary.  It is your responsibility to clear up with your house secretary any mistakes or misunderstandings.

 

·      Class Cut.  If you miss a class but that same day are present in advisory and other classes, it will be assumed that you have cut the class, which is of course an unexcused absence.  Again, it is your responsibility to clear things up if in fact your absence is excusable.