This document provides an overview of a music class for the upcoming school year. It discusses creating a welcoming environment for students to learn and share their love of music. The class will focus on learning and innovation skills like creativity, problem solving, and collaboration through music composition and analysis. Students will use music notation software and keyboards to create their own musical pieces and arrange other works. The goal is for students to express themselves through music while gaining important skills.

1. Back to School Night Music Class

2. The Music Space I am hoping to create a welcoming environment for students to learn and share a love for music. The music classroom will be a place where students can express themselves and be creative. It will be a space where they can express their feelings that cannot be written down. I really just want to show all the opportunities that music can offer them. So many possibilities await them through music.

3. Learning and Innovation Skills In today's world, there are many skills that students must attain while in school. In the music classroom, there are many components of learning and innovation skills that are part of the curriculum. Some components are creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, and communication and collaboration. In our ever so growing technological world, technology can play a big part in learning these skills.

4. Creativity and Innovation Music is such an easy way for students to use their creativity and work together as well. Whether it be in the band or orchestra rehearsal, general music, or music technology field there is always some way for students to work together and be creative. In this particular music theory class, students will get the chance to use their creativity incorporating technology. In this class, we will use the music notation program Finale 2010, so that the students will be able to create their own compositions. Also, the students will be able to share their work with one another.

5. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Since music theory is very analytical, students will easily use their critical thinking and problem solving skills. The students will learn basic music theory skills, like intervals, triads, seventh chords, non-chord tones, etc., and apply these skills to larger musical analysis. Then the students will have to use all of these skills and create their own compositions.

6. Communication and Collaboration In the music classroom students are constantly making music with each other, which requires the consistent skills of communication and collaboration. When you are making music with others, you must be so in sync with everyone around as well as aware of what the others around you are playing. Another big aspect of music making and collaboration, is adjusting to the others around you as well. It is very important to be flexible while making music, and even creating music too.

7. Technology in the Classroom Since technology is growing so rapidly, it is important to incorporate into the classroom. By playing a simple audio recording is using the technology; also there are many instances where you will need to record a concert or a rehearsal, and this is a big part of technology. There are so many things you can do with recordings and technology. For students to use the Finale 2010 notation program, they will need to use the program on computers as well. There will also be keyboards attached to each computer as well. This way it will be easier to compose music with the notes right at their fingertips.

8. Technology The students will each have access to their own station, which has a computer with Finale 2010 and a keyboard attached. The stations allow the students to work at their own pace, but keeping up with the technological advances and standards. The stations will be easy to use for projects ranging from creating their own pieces to transcribing other pieces.

9. In this class, the students will have many projects to work on, mostly composing their own music. But other projects will consist of re-arranging other familiar classical pieces and modern songs as well. Students will also be asked to transcribe other pieces of music too. These projects will allow students to be extremely creative. One activity in particular, the students will have to arrange a Beatles song of their choice for an instrumental ensemble. The score of the Beatles song will be provided, and they will have to arrange the piece for instruments of their choice. I am hoping that their personalities will show through this project as well as creativity. They will have so much freedom with this project and will have the ability to change the style and instrumentation while keeping the melody the same. Activities

10. Thank you! Thank you so much for coming. I am looking forward to have a fun and hard working year. I am available any time with any questions or concerns: email - groszewj1@mail.montclair.edu phone - 973-625-1726