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The digital download of the Music Theory and Appreciation Guide is a 28-week, four-cycle (one year each) curriculum designed to give elementary-aged children an overall introduction to music theory and appreciation. This guide is designed for Kindergarten through 5th or 6th grade. A beginning level of music theory is covered, but private music instruction is required for a full mastery. Music history is also meant to be an introduction only, but will give children a good overall foundation. The music appreciation portion of the curriculum introduces children to the major musical eras, beginning with the Middle Ages, moving through to modern day.
- Weeks 1-8 introduce music theory.
- Weeks 9-10 introduce the orchestra and musical compositions.
- Weeks 11-12 study Christmas hymns utilizing Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart by Bobbie Wolgemuth (this resource must be purchased separately and costs approximately $11). Week 13 introduces a brief overview of music history.
- Week 14 studies Middle Ages Era music.
- Weeks 15-16 study Renaissance Era music.
- Weeks 17-18 study Baroque Era music.
- Weeks 19-21 study Classical Era music.
- Weeks 22-25 study Romantic Era music.
- Weeks 26-28 study Modern Era music.
It is not necessary to have a music background to use this guide, but it is helpful to have some knowledge of musical grammar. The goal is simply to introduce the material to children, and then repeat each year. After four years (one 28-week cycle each year), students will be introduced to 64 musical terms/symbols, as well as musical note identification. They will also have a basic understanding of the orchestra and music history. A list of 60 European and American composers and coordinating musical compositions, covering the major musical eras, is included in Supplement 1. Teachers will need to supplement with biographical information for each composer, as biographies are beyond the scope of this curriculum. Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers book series includes many wonderful biographies for the more well known composers. Likewise, websites such as Classics for Kids and Kids Music Corner are terrific resources. The composer list is not exhaustive, and the compositions may certainly be changed to suite the students and teacher.
Other suggested resources to be used with this guide that are NOT included are:
- Christmas Carols for a Kid’s Heart by Bobbie Wolgemuth (required for Week 11-12)
- The Story of the Orchestra by Robert Levine (may be used in conjunction with the curriculum for Week 9, but it is not required.)
- Classics for Kids website (may be used for Week 9, if internet is available.)
- Learning Resources Buzzers for memory review
The guide includes weekly supplies needed and offers suggested dialogues for the teacher to use while introducing the material, but it is not necessary to use them. The companion Student Music Theory Workbook covers all of the grammar and can stand alone, so feel free to tailor lessons to the students. In a few cases, this guide offers more in depth information than the Student Workbook provides. This is done to offer the teacher more information to help explain the grammar if needed.
The DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Music Theory & Appreciation Guide is $40 and includes:
- Teacher’s Guide
- Student Music Theory Workbook
- Supplement 1 – Composer List
- Memory Review Flashcards
