American Music History
Grade Levels: 9-12
Term: Semester
Credits: .5
This course is designed to study the history of American music and the development of critical aural skills through contextual listening. The course is designed for students with little or no previous musical experience as students will begin by learning musical terms, definitions, etc. Music is then presented in a historical perspective with an emphasis on prominent composers and musical periods/styles starting with early Native American music, progressing to the rise of Jazz music, and concluding with current mainstream music trends. Ideas, customs and political climates in relation to each musical period are examined. Students study each period of music history by reading articles, listening to recordings, watching short films, and experiencing performances.
