Subject: EHS Elective

Music Appreciation

Music Appreciation at Northgate Academy guides students through the evolution of Western music, from the Middle Ages to the Classical Era, enhancing their understanding of musical terminology, instrumentation, and the cultural significance of music.

Credits: 1.0

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Available via Excel High School

Course Description

Northgate Academy’s Music Appreciation course offers an enriching exploration of Western music’s history and development, aiming to deepen students’ awareness of how human experiences are reflected in musical arts. The curriculum introduces basic musical terminology and notation, identifies various musical instruments, and highlights different periods of musical development—from the Middle Ages to the Classical Era. Students will learn standard formal designs used within Western musical repertoire, explore stylistic elements characterizing historical periods and their composers, and analyze relationships between music and society. The course also emphasizes developing effective listening techniques and considering prominent composers and selected musical masterpieces

Textbook: Music Appreciation (Boundless CC 4.0)

Course Objectives

Learn basic musical terminology and notation

Learn standard formal designs used within western musical repertoire

Explore stylistic elements that characterize historical periods and their composers

Analyze relationships between music and society

Develop effective listening techniques

Consider prominent composers and selected musical masterpieces

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Course Contents

Modules
Melody, Harmony, and Scales
Rhythm and Meter
Textures and Forms
Tempo and Dynamics
Classification of Human Voices
Musical Instrument Families
Musical Ensembles
The Middle Ages
The Renaissance
The Baroque Era
Baroque Opera
Baroque Instrumental
The Classical Era
Classical Opera/Choral Music
Classical Instrumentation

Recommended Prerequisites

Carnegie Credits Explained: Our Approach vs. Trimester Credits

Carnegie Credit System
Northgate Academy follows the Carnegie Credit system, a widely recognized method of measuring student progress based on instructional hours. A single Carnegie credit reflects approximately 120 hours of coursework, typically completed over a full academic year.

Carnegie Credit vs. Trimester Credit
While Carnegie credits are awarded based on total hours over a year, trimester credits divide the school year into three terms. In a trimester system, students complete courses in shorter, intensive sessions, often earning partial credits (e.g., 0.33 or 0.5 per term). In contrast, Northgate’s use of Carnegie credits ensures students have ample time to engage deeply with the material and develop a well-rounded understanding at a consistent pace.