Welcome to Theory I!

1. Welcome to Theory I! Classical Voice Conservatory Instructor: Amalia Cisneros Email: amalia.cisneros@ocsarts.net

2. Today’s Topics Include: • Introduction • Syllabus • Calendar • Examination Components • Questions and Answers • Get to know your fellow classmates! • Actual Music Theory (if there’s time. :D)

3. Introduction • Welcome to Theory I! This class is designed to help you understand the basic components of music and how music is made. You will develop a working knowledge of various musical concepts, as well as develop aural skills necessary for intelligent listening and practice of the vocal arts. The concepts that you will learn over the next year will be the foundation of your development as well rounded and accomplished musicians. • In a nutshell: You are singers. As such, you need to know what you’re singing and how it functions. You’ll also need a good sense of pitch.

4. Materials • You must bring pencils and manuscript paper. You can purchase manuscript paper at any music store, or you can download some at freemanuscriptpaper.com (Blank please.) • No pens!!! • Erasable colored pencils are good too if you find organizing your notes and writings helpful. (I do!) • Also bring extra lead for mechanical pencils, and erasers. You will run out when you need them the most. (I say this from experience.) • I have uploaded some special note-taking papers if you’d like to print them. They are on Sharepoint.

5. Textbooks • Texts that we will reference include but are not limited to: • Basics of Keyboard Theory Levels Primary-3, Julie Johnson • Creative Sightsinging , James Owen Bowyer • The Renaissance Sight-Singing Series, Vol. 2, SAB, Edward DeNardis • Melodia, Cole/Lewis • Dannhauser Book I, A. Dannhauser • Anything that I make for you.

6. Textbooks • You are not required to purchase any of these books. • I do recommend purchasing the Dannhauser, as it is a great basic source for learning basic sightreading skills. This book is used in universities and colleges of music, and it’s only about $7.00. • I will be using all these textbooks as sources for course material, and I will also be creating exercises myself for us to use.

7. Grading • Your overall grade is broken down as follows: - Individual Project: 15% • Group Project: 20% - Quizzes, Tests, and Finals: 35% • In Class Assignments: 30% Please note that there is no homework assigned in this class, so participation and good attendance are really important to do well.

8. Quizzes • Quizzes can happen at any time. • Timed quizzes will happen on a regular basis. • these quizzes will test you on your note naming ability and other skills. • You will have 5 minutes to get as many answers as you can. • The first person to get 10 perfect scores will get a $5 gift card to Cold Stone Creamery! (Yum!!)

9. Examinations • Each exam will be broken into two portions: written and aural. • Exams will be held during a single class period, end of semester finals will be held over two class periods. • The written portion will be on whatever we covered so far. They will not be cumulative since you’ll need all the skills you’ve acquired at that point to complete the test. • The aural portion will include sightreading (rhythmic and melodic) as well as identifying concepts by ear.

10. Attendance • School policy allows three excused absences per semester for conservatory classes before your grade is affected. To achieve the following you must not be absent more than shown: • A+: No more than 3 excused absences • A: No more than 4 excused absences • B: No more than 5 excused absences • C: No more than 6 excused absences • D: No more than 7 excused absences • F: 8 or more excused absences

11. Attendance • Sometimes things happen that our completely out of our control, so when you are absent, you will have the opportunity to do make up assignments to compensate for your absences. So here’s the breakdown: • Excused absences earn 50% for the day toward Participation until a make-up assignment is completed. • Unexcused absences earn 0% for the day toward Participation and Attendance. • You may earn up to 70% toward Participation when a make-up assignment is completed. • Tardies will earn 50% for the day toward Attendance

12. Calendar • Each of you will get a calendar that will list what topics we are covering on each class day as well as exam dates and other activities. • Please keep this calendar with you at all times in case we need to make changes. • This calendar will also be available on Sharepoint, so in case you lose it you’ll be able to print another one. • If I make any changes, I will update the calendar on Sharepoint and repost it as well as send out a message to you all. • Please also note that the calendar is made of tiny squares so I only added new concepts. We will be reviewing old concepts in each class. • You will be notified at the end of each class what we will be covering in the next class section, and I will also go over what topics we will be covering at the beginning of each class.

13. Disclaimer • I reserve the right to change anything on the syllabus and calendar with advanced notice to the class, at least 24 hours. • I reserve the right to quiz the class at any time when I deem it necessary. • I reserve the right to make mistakes. I’m human. I will make them. Probably have already made three at this point.

14. The End…. of Part 1.

15. Welcome to Theory I! Syllabus Part 2, a.k.a. “The stuff I couldn’t add because it would make the syllabus really long and I would have to print a lot of pages and our conservatory runs on a budget SOOOOooooo….”

16. Class Rules • Work • Respect • Mistakes… make them.

17. Disclaimer: Students’ Rights • You have the right to ask all the questions you want that are relevant to the material being covered or music in general. Seriously. Just ask. You don’t even need to raise your hand. • You have the right to ask questions without feeling intimidated or embarrassed. • You have the right to make mistakes. You are human. You make mistakes. That’s how humans learn. • You have the right to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about the class and the concepts being covered.

18. Resources and Sharepoint • There are lots of amazing music theory websites that have games that will help you practice what you learn in this class. I will post links to them on Sharepoint. • I will be using PowerPoint presentations a lot in this class, so in case you are absent, they will also be posted on Sharepoint for you to peruse at your leisure. You may also print them out and use them as study guides or put your notes on them. • I will also post exercises on Sharepoint that are relevant to what we are studying in the class that you can use in your vocal study. You are not obligated to use these, but it’s a good way to do vocal warm-ups for your practice and study for this class at the same time. • If you find a great website or phone/tablet app that is useful for this class, please feel free to share it with all of us.

19. Resources: ME! • I’m a resource too! • I have a very tight schedule and unfortunately I am not going to be able to stay after class to answer your questions as I have to leave immediately. So if you DO need to talk to me, there are a couple ofways to go about it: • Email- if you have a question for me, please feel free to email me at amalia.cisneros@ocsarts.net

20. Resources: I’m on Skype! • Because of my limited availability, I have set up a special Skype account for students only. • I will announce my hours of availability on Skype at the beginning of each week as well as post them on Sharepoint. These hours will generally range between 8-11 pm on weekdays, but I will try to squeeze in earlier times when I can and I will take students in order of who calls first, one at a time. I can also schedule Skype appointments if those hours don’t work for you. • If you really need to see me in person, please email me to schedule an appointment and I will try to accommodate you. • Skype address: amalia.cisneros.ocsarts

21. Phones and Tablets • Phones and Tablets are excellent sources for music theory practice, so I encourage you to download flash card sets, metronomes, tuners, and any fun theory games you find that are free or that your parents will allow you to purchase. • You may bring them to class and use them for class assignments when appropriate, provided you do not attempt any Facebook status updates or Instagramselfies, or adding stuff to your bulletins on Pinterest, or making videos with Vine, or Snapchatting with other students, etc. (Basically no social media or texting.) • If you are caught using your phone/tablet for anything other than class assignments, you will lose the privilege of using your phone/tablet in class.

22. Miscellaneous • Please feel free to bring a snack with you to class. It’s preferred that you bring fruits or veggies, i.e. anything that won’t spill. • Please also feel free to bring water with you as well. No sodas or anything like that. Carbonated water is fine too.

23. Questions?

24. Welcome to Theory I Getting to know your classmates!

25. Fun Time!! :D • A Variation on 20 questions • Do You Really Know Me?