And leave a comment. Sorry for the delay.  Here’s a question you can comment on:

What do you like about the music you listen to ?

Please make sure to identify yourself, otherwise you won’t get credit.

And leave a comment. Sorry for the delay.  Here’s a question you can comment on:

What do you like about the music you listen to ?

Please make sure to identify yourself, otherwise you won’t get credit.

And leave a comment. Sorry for the delay.  Here’s a question you can comment on: What do you like about the music you listen to ? Please make sure to identify yourself, otherwise you won’t get credit.

And leave a comment. Sorry for the delay.  Here’s a question you can comment on:

What do you like about the music you listen to ?

Please make sure to identify yourself, otherwise you won’t get credit.

Hey folks!

Thanks for visiting the page. I’ll be updating with a current syllabus for all classes shortly (information up right now is NOT current).  New posts will be up with that info soon as well as new videos with current information for this school year.

Looking forward to working with you this year!

-Mr. G

In the meantime, have a good laugh at the latest video on my YouTube channel.  I cut my hair. :)  If you’re new to any of my classes, leave a comment for this post by clicking the link below.

For my General Music classes

Simple instructions:

1. Download blank staff paper from
http://www.mrgilliardmusic.com/music/images/blankstaffpaper.pdf
or
http://www.mrgilliardmusic.com/music/images/blankstaffpaper.doc

2. Draw a treble clef
3. Divide the staff into 8 measures. Put a double bar at the end.

4. You pick the time signature (2/4, 3/4 or 4/4)

5. Use all the notes you know and can play on recorder (or at least G,A,B,C and D).

6. Use quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, whole notes, quarter rests, half  rests and whole rests (only use the whole rest ONCE).

For my YouTube channel, I’ve made this a video challenge, so anyone outside of school can video themselves and upload their work.

For you folks in my class, this will also serve as your first playing test on recorder in the class.  So, yes, you are writing your own test.  Make it good. You’ll be graded on both your creativity, use of all of the elements of music you’ve learned so far and how well you play.

This information is also available for download in slightly different format under the information link for General Music on the menu bar above.

Course Description
The General Music program is a nine-week course designed to provide students with exposure to the basic elements of music theory and notation, develop a sensitivity to different genres of music and obtain knowledge of different aspects of music history.

Course Objectives
By the end of the quarter, students will:

• Explore music of different time periods
• Learn to play a musical instrument
• Complete a biographical report (written and oral) on a famous person in music history prior to 1990
• Learn to read and notate and interpret the basic elements of written music

Grading Procedures and Expectations

The following grading scale will be used to evaluate a students’ performance:
90-100 = A | 80-89 = B | 70-79 = C | 60-69 = D | 59 or below = E

A Student’s Quarterly grade is calculated as follows:

A student’s daily grade consists of:

• punctuality to class (in class and seated before the late bell rings) and the warm-up activities (30%)
• participation in daily classroom activities, completion of work (70%)

Students receive points for assignments which are then converted into letter grades.

What Happens In This Class ?

• Class activities usually include written assignments, group activities in-class, playing recorder or music-related instructional videos.
• Students lose points for inappropriate behaviors including chewing gum, eating, drinking, talking, horseplay and other off-task behaviors.
• Each student will give one written and oral presentation at the end of the quarter.
• Each student will learn a musical instrument while in class.
• Extra credit work will be given at random.

A recorder (it’s a simple flute) is required for this class. Students will not pass the course without purchasing and playing this instrument.

Recorders purchased from stores such as Dollar Tree are not acceptable quality.

The cost will be $3.00 for all students needing a recorder. If you have a good quality recorder from elementary school, you may use it. All money for recorders will be due by the fourth class meeting so Mr. Gilliard can place the order in time for the third week of class. If you wish to purchase a recorder separately, here is a list of places you may purchase a good recorder from:

Target
First Act Discovery Recorder $7.99 online, $9.99 in store.

Music and Arts (various brands, prices are $4.95-6.95) Nearby locations are Bowie Town Center and Laurel. 301-262-5950

Dale Music Company (Silver Spring, MD) Prices begin at $3.50 and range to $9.00

Giardinelli (Musician’s Friend)
Canto 1-Piece Recorder - $2.50 (shipping NOT included, usually $4.99 for one item this small-call and check)

Please note that all prices do not include shipping. If you are reading this BEFORE the fourth meeting of the class, the cheapest option is the $3.00 so that we can order in bulk and reduce the shipping charges.

We will have new material taught every class period. If Mr. Gilliard is absent, substitute work will count as a test grade. If you miss a day, you will miss new material. Makeup work will only be given in accordance with Prince George’s County school board policy concerning excused absences and tardies. A note from a parent with FULL contact information (name, signature, work and home phone numbers and an e-mail address if applicable) must be sent to school within 2 class meetings of the absence and the student MUST get the missed work. Parents will be contacted to verify the authenticity of the excuse note. It is not Mr. Gilliard’s responsibility to track you down and give you missed work. It is your job to seek him out until you get the missing work.

And now….a short story called “Every Grade Counts”

Once upon a time, there were two boys named Gerald and William. Gerald and William came to class on time on Monday, did all of their work and behaved properly. They received their 100’s on Monday (that’s an A).

But Wednesday, William came to class late, so he lost 30 points. But he still did the rest of his work, so he managed to keep 70 of his points for the day (that’s a C). Gerald, however, was on time, but talked repeatedly during class and lost 30 points as well. So both boys had a C for that day.

Then Friday came. William rushed to get to class on time, but stopped in the hallway to talk with friends and ended up in class late, losing 30 points. Then he also got caught chewing gum in class and lost another 30 points. So his average for the day, was a 40 (that’s an E). Gerald, on the other hand, cut class down at the gym. And was caught by Mr. Curtis and sent home. So his grade for the day in class was a ZERO (that’s also an E).

Now if you average up those three grades over three days:
100 (A) + 70 (C) + 40 (E) = 210/3 = 70 (that’s a C).
100 (A) + 70 (C) + 0 (E) = 170/3 = 56.666 (that’s an E).

What’s the moral of this story, boys and girls ?

Every Grade Counts. A 40 in the grade book looks better and averages out better than a ZERO.

Classroom Rules
1. Come to class ON TIME and QUIETLY. Have a seat and get ready to work.
2. Come to class PREPARED TO WORK. Bring YOUR OWN SUPPLIES. (you will ALWAYS need a PENCIL and some paper to write on. A pen is not a pencil. An erasable pen is not a pencil. A marker is not a pencil. A highlighter is not a pencil.).

3. Be courteous, respectful and considerate.

4. Follow instructions the first time they are given. (Don’t try to work around or find an exception. Follow instructions the first time they are given to you THE WAY they are given to you.)

It’s the break. I’m working on it. Look for it after Jan. 2.

Never mind, most of it’s up now.