Name: Date: Period: (Sign back and return for grade!)

Music Technology Syllabus Mr. Westbrook – Room 1305

Course Overview

Music Technology is a course designed to teach students how to use computers and electronic instruments to create music. We will be using a new Mac Lab with Roland Keyboards and other professional audio equipment. We have such DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) as Garage Band and Logic Pro X installed on all the computers. We also have Final Cut Pro X, a video editing program for students to create movies. We have a popular guitar-hero like program called Synthesia that teaches students how

to play the piano. Finally, we have music notation software called Sibelius. We will learn how to use these tools to create music.

Students will learn about how to use an iMac Computer, piano keyboard, and microphone. We will create music with Garage Band using loops and MIDI instruments. Advanced students will be able to use the program Logic Pro X. Students with real instruments will be encouraged to bring their instrument to the lab for recording. We also have high-quality microphones and Quad Capture audio interfaces for recording. Students who sing or write lyrics will be encouraged to do so for any music they create. There will be rubrics for each project. You are encouraged to expand the project with your own talents (singing, instruments, etc.).

All work must be completed on the iMac computers at school using the instructed computer software (Garageband, Logic, Synthesia, Sibelius, Final Cut, iMovie) and done DURING CLASS. Students who do not work during class time will not be given extra opportunities to turn in late work. YOU MUST COMPLETE YOUR WORK ON YOUR OWN BY THE DUE DATE OR YOU WILL NOT PASS THE CLASS. This is a project-based learning classroom and if you do not use the given time to do your work you will not be completing the class objectives.

You are encouraged to save all your projects on a flash drive, SD card, or cloud service so you have a copy of your work for your own reference and backup. It is your responsibility to keep track of your work. Sometimes computers will crash and you can lose your work. If you can’t find your work on your computer

or it is accidentally erased, you are still responsible for creating a new project from scratch. You will not pass the class if you do not show me your completed projects when they are due.

You are responsible for learning how to use the iMac computer to create music. You need a basic understanding and curiosity of computers to pass this class. If you do not like computers or learning to play the piano, this class is not a good fit for you. If you do, this will be a great class for you.

Projects will be displayed or posted with the objective clearly stated at all times. Detailed assignment descriptions will be provided if necessary in hardcopy assignment sheets. Students will never have the excuse of “I don’t know what to do.” The assignment info will always be available. I will be in class to help students with projects and problems. If you need help, you are responsible for asking for it. If I am busy with another student, you must continue to try to work. Do not sit and stop working and trying until I come to help you.

Absences: • Being absent will hurt your grade. You will lose class time that you need to complete the

assignments. • If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to catch up and get your project done.

• Come see Mr. Westbrook during class or email him • Get help from a classmate and work extra hard during class. • Make an appointment to make up a project. • If you will be absent for a while make previous arrangements with me.

Grading: Grading will be done on a cumulative point system. • 100% - 90% = A • 89% - 80% = B • 79% - 70% = C • 69% - 60% = D • 59% and below = E

Late Work: Work must be turned in as soon as possible. I will deduct a letter grade for late work automatically.

Materials: • Bring your own Headphones or earbuds with necessary adaptor (New iPhone jack is an example) Limited headphones are available.

Classroom Procedures: • Beginning of Class – Arrive with all your materials before the bell rings. You are expected to

be in your seat by the beginning of class. • During Class – See Music Technology Procedures handout. • End of Class – Stay seated until I dismiss you, NOT the bell! Make sure that the area around

your seat is clean and there’s no trash or food.

Expectations: • WORK HARD and try your best. • Come to class every day, on time, and be prepared to work. • Complete work on time. • Take charge of your education: if you don’t understand, ask questions and come for extra help.

Make a date to see me during lunch or after school. • All work will be YOUR OWN! Plagiarism is not tolerated. You will receive a zero for copied work.

Class Rules: • Follow all Wheaton rules – including NO HATS, NO CELL PHONES, and NO MUSIC MP3

players OR VIDEO GAMES on during class. • Students: NO FOOD • Treat your classmates and the teacher with respect, dignity and politeness. • Actively participate in class and use class time effectively.

MAKE-UPS AND EXTRA HELP Students can come in for extra help, or to make up assignments (with prior permission). Please pre-arrange these extra help sessions at least 24 hours in advance by email with Mr. Westbrook.

Student Signature:

Parent/Guardian Signature:

RETURN FOR 10 POINTS BY FRIDAY!