Music Appreciation 101

In this course, students will learn techniques to better appreciate music by studying concepts in music history, theory, and production. They will then use these skills in active listening sessions followed by moderated group discussion. 

The class is structured in two sections- a lecture and an active listening section. In the first section, I will be teaching the students various topics in music history, theory, and songwriting using a powerpoint presentation. In the second section, I will select a musical work which the class will listen to together. Students will then discuss things that they liked and disliked about the music played, and mention things that they noticed using the information discussed in the class. 

As a student, I noticed that the most engaging courses were ones in which I was given many opportunities to interact and many different approaches to learning. As a teacher, I know that students learn best when they are given every opportunity to succeed. Not every student learns in the same way, and this should be celebrated, not ignored. 

Students do not need any prior experience or knowledge, though a basic understanding of different instruments and a love for music will be helpful.  

Class Schedule- Times Subject to Change
Class 1- The History of Hip-Hop (Explicit Language Warning) - 03/24
Class 2- Pop Music Throughout the Ages - 03/25
Class 3- Hyperpop: Pop Music on Steroids (Explicit Language Warning) - 03/26
Class 4- Video Game Music: From Pixels to Polygons - 03/27
Class 5- Folk Music: Rustic Roots - 03/28
Class 6- The Art of Sampling: Making New from Old - 03/29
Class 7- The History of Jazz - 03/30
Class 8- Latin Legends: Folk, Pop, and Jazz - 03/31