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I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!!

Posted by BDSO on 8/21/2025, 6:19 pm

The title says it all. I need music appreciation curriculum fast, like by Monday. My new principal (who has never led a school with a band) has saddled me with a dumping ground class, while taking away a beginner band class. According to him, I "can do whatever I want. I just need a place to put them." But being a "type-A" band director (is there really any other kind?), I don't do instruction without a place and like structured classes. I'd like to do a music appreciation class, but the campus is not inclined to get resources. Is there a free, online curriculum I can use? I would let the kids just get out their phones, put their earbud/headphones on, and let them "appreciate" their own music, but the governor said kids can't use their phones.

Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!!

Posted by anon on 8/26/2025, 3:23 pm, in reply to "I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!! "

You might look at an online program called Quaver music; it's supposed to be designed for different grade levels, and lays out a curriculum. I tried to get it for one of these same type classes, but my admin vetoed it because of the cost (you have to purchase a one year subscription.)

Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!!

Posted by Me on 8/27/2025, 7:42 am, in reply to "Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!! "

Quaver is much more an elementary music curriculum than a music appreciation one.

Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!!

Posted by beentheredonethat on 8/23/2025, 9:59 pm, in reply to "I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!! "

I taught MA for 5 years and was given free rein to do as I wished. It was really a music history class when I started and kept that approach when it became a MA class.

I started every class with a listening journal where we would listen to something and answer a few questions. Ranged from listening to the Gregorian Chant of Dies Irae and them discussing how it’s still relevant today to writing a review of a drum corps show. It was pretty wide open and all genres were on the table. It was a good way to expose them to genres that we probably wouldn’t cover in depth in class.

I had four big units I would cover: history of rock and roll, jazz history, hip hop, and Latin American artists. These genres were more relevant to the student populations of my school. I would start the school year with a “music history overview” that covered the big time periods and composers of each era, as well as the different instruments and some different musical terms; I did this to expose them to the “big wigs” of music history and give them some vocabulary for later discussions.

I created almost everything myself by using various online resources. I also used some books by Alfred Music, like Fresh Beats (hip hop history) and Jazz Legends. Both had some really great lessons and worksheets. I also occasionally used Teach Rock, which is a free online curriculum.

Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!!

Posted by OP on 8/22/2025, 8:23 pm, in reply to "I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!! "

Unfortunately, there is no "make it so miserable they drop" option. So, my original question stands: any pre-made, free, online music appreciation curriculum available will be great.

Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!!

Posted by A. Vandelay on 8/22/2025, 10:35 am, in reply to "I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!! "

Sounds like you have some beginner percussionists??? JK. But seriously check out the Music First platform. They have tons of online "textbooks" and curriculum that you could use. If you reach out, you can even get a free trial to start you off. Good luck

Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!!

Posted by Heard of on 8/22/2025, 10:21 am, in reply to "I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!! "

You could go a couple of ways with this:

I've heard of a director this happened to that ramped up the demands of the class to the point kids would get of the class due to the requirements.

Another director I know turned the appreciation class into percussion studies. Cadences/etc.

Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!!

Posted by A. Vandelay on 8/22/2025, 2:05 pm, in reply to "Re: I need a Music Appreciation Curriculum...FAST!!! "

I used to do that when I taught music theory. I would bombard them with so much work that the troublemakers would miraculously be motivated to request a schedule change.

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