Music Club Invitation, Outline, and Proposal

Music Club

"My tongue sings about Your promise, for all Your commandments are righteous." ~ Psalm 119:172

Greetings FCS and TCS families! It is my pleasure to announce we are now offering a Music Club.

Music, a gift of God, has the capacity to touch on each focus of study and bring it to life in a beautiful way, be it through its aesthetic value, spiritual value, scientific value, historic value, or personal value. My intention for this club is to be a sort of exaggerated music appreciation class. Two of the main books I will be drawing from are The Gift of Music, by Jane Stuart Smith and Betty Carlson, and What To Listen For In Music by Aaron Copland (widely hailed as the first genuinely American composer). For developing the ear, we will listen to a smattering of live performances (during club sessions and in concert), YouTube videos, selections from Spotify, my personal library of music, and more.

We'll look at the purpose of music, which is ultimately to glorify God. From there, we'll tackle as much theory as they can handle. Once they have a good musical grammar as a basis, we'll look at the history of music utilizing analysis. My goal is not only for them to read music and develop a stronger musical ear, but also to apply discernment to reach moral philosophical conclusions for why each genre sounds the way it does. The increase of comprehension and purpose often translates into a deeper love for the subject.

Initially the club will be for everyone 7th through 12th, but as we get closer to making more in depth discernment calls we may split the club based on the maturity/grade level of each student. That split will depend on the parent and student discretion, but aside from potential special cases, the secondary group will likely consist of mainly 11th and 12th grade. Exposure to great music is the name of the game. As Copland explains, "All of us, professionals and nonprofessionals, are forever trying to deepen our understanding of the art. Reading a book may sometimes help us. But nothing can replace the prime consideration--listening to music itself" (3). With that said, I will be on guard as to what music is actually played in the classroom. Any pieces played will be either strictly instrumental or examined thoroughly for content. Although we all want to teach our children to have discerning ears, it is well understood that until that discernment is fully developed, they have no need for music that is not edifying or uplifting in our classroom. Later on in the year, after I split the students into their respective groups, I intend to work with the older group with more intensive pieces to exercise their discernment and stretch them. I will still avoid all obscene language and content. However they may be confronted with meatier subject matters, in which case, the parents will be informed ahead of time and will have the choice to opt out of those specific club sessions.

We'll have opportunities to practice different instruments (including the voice), listen to tons of music, and discuss the important issues that frame our cultural identities musically. Within the first week, the students will be assessed for musical comprehension for the key purposes of meeting them where they are and also offering them an opportunity to voice what they would like to get out of this club. I am thrilled about this chance to work with the kids about something I'm very passionate about. It should be a lot of fun too! Thank you for your time and interest!

Goals, in no certain order:
1. The ability to read basic sheet music and gain a general grasp of musical
    elements
2. To have a deeper grasp of music--psychologically, scientifically, aesthetically,
    historically, and culturally
3. To develop the practice of musical talent, both creatively and practically
4. To develop an ear for tone color, pitch, and rhythm
5. The ability to express their unique identity in Christ through music, and praise
    God
6. To read through the book of Psalms
7. To understand the story many types of music say concerning each respective
    culture and ideological wave of influence throughout the ages (within the range
    of the students' maturity levels), additionally seeing their own place in the big
    picture of these genres

Activities and general opportunities based on student participation:
1. Concert viewings
2. Song creation
3. Student lead performances
4. Broaden base of musical genres and artists
5. Both team projects and individual projects

6. Opportunities to play an assortment of instruments
7. Practice receiving and giving constructive criticism (not aiming for perfection,

    rather individual best)


*Meeting Times: My hope is to meet twice a week, Tuesday and Wednesday, after school, from approx. 2:50-4:00. After the group potentially splits up, possibly once a week per group.
*Meeting Location: FCS grounds, T.B.D. Room # (based on student response and attendance, and school's ability to facilitate the club)
*Starting Date: First Tuesday and Wednesday of November, Nov. 6th and 7th


*All students who participate in music club are required:
     1. To keep track of their academic standards and grades levels,
     2. To make music club a priority--no reoccurring unexcused absences, late
         arrivals, or early exits,
     3. To exercise respect for fellow students, the teacher, themselves, and the
         subject matter,
     4. And to uphold the Honor Code.


Student Name: _____________________________________




Parent Signature: _____________________________________



Date: __________________________________


* Subject to change at the instructor or school administrators discretion