The official class blog for English 102 section C02 at the University of South Carolina. Check back for links to student written album reviews, genre criticisms, cultural analyses, and more.
Friday, September 18, 2015
R.R. 9/18
Describe your musical education. Were you ever forced (or encouraged) to take one of the music appreciation classes discussed by Katz in this section? Please give specific examples of lessons, grades, etc.
My music education was mandatory all throughout elementary school. We were required to go to music class every week. But instead of listening and appreciating the music like Katz described I was taught to play the recorder. We had to master certain skills on the recorder in order to get a certain grade in the class. Katz describes classes where students would focus on the music and "develop a deeper understanding" was never an option in my education. My school was always more focused on actually developing the skills to play instruments.
In elementary school they made it a requirement to be in either band, orchestra, or general music. I was in band for two years (4th and 5th grade) then quit when it was no longer required. I then took a music appreciation course, because I needed a fine arts credit to come to school here. I would not consider myself a musically gifted person by any stretch of the imagination and although I took the music appreciation course, I don't know if I really hung onto much of anything that I learned.
I never took any kind of music appreciation classes in school. My parents aren't very musical people, so never enrolled me in any kind of music program other than middle school band, which barely counts. In high school we weren't required to take any kind of music class, so I've never had "formal" musical education. Most of my musical knowledge comes from simply just listening to and reading about music.
Throughout elementary school, music class was just something you took. It wasn't a serious class, you just played your recorder or those wacky, pipe looking sticks, and went on with your day. Graduation to middle school, things changed. I was never forced to take a music class, but I love music so I did. I took musical theater and chorus throughout middle school and I loved it. Moving on to high school, things changed again. We were not forced to do music class, but if you wanted to you had to audition. So I auditioned, and I was in the Lexington High Chamber Choir for four years. Music class has always held a positive spot in my school career, and I see no problem with children taking this throughout their schooling.
In elementary school, we had general music class where we played the recorder, talked about certain notes and sounds, and watched musicals. We also had those weird colored tubes that you bang on the ground and they produce different pitches. In the fifth grade, I joined the band voluntarily and played in the band until the 9th grade. In high school, we had to have a fine arts credit to graduate, but it didn't have to be music. It could be art also. I took piano for my fine arts credit and in that class we each would work on a keyboard, and we had to perform for the teacher and at the end of the year we performed for the class.
The only time I can remember taking anything close to a music appreciation class is in elementary school where we listened to various styles of music and read about the artists who typically came from different backgrounds and places. Not all of it was classical, and they were typically only short excerpts of songs. These classes were in grades 2-6 so I don't really remember specifics about the lesson plans. Throughout high school I took many Chorus classes, but those are more of the other kinds of music classes Katz describes, those of music performance and making music.
In late elementary school, orchestra was the "cool" thing to do although it wasn't a required course. So I played the violin in fourth and fifth grade before quitting out of boredom from only being allowed to pluck the strings... in middle school all students had to take some kind of music credit, either choir, orchestra, band, or general music. All of the students who didn't want to play an instrument were forced to sing in choir, which was sheer torture. (However we ended up having to play the recorder in choir anyways too).
My musical education began around the 6th grade, when I first began to take band and practice trumpet. I was never really forced to take a music appreciation class because I have always been appreciative of music and feel that it deserves some of the appreciation that it gets. I got really into the idea of music after my first year of playing trumpet and actually started to take lessons and begin my practice of the piano. The teachers I had for both of those instruments taught me very well and gave me an understanding of music that I never knew could have been there.
The last music appreciation class I was required to take for school dates all the way back to elementary school. I also played the violin in fifth grade, because every fifth grader voluntarily tried out one instrument at this time, except that ended when the school year did. My middle school and high school didn't really offer any of these classes unless you were in chorus or actually played an instrument. The next type of musical education I received was in sophomore year when I started playing acoustic guitar. I took lessons for about 2 years outside of school, and now I am currently enrolled in a music appreciation class in college.
My music education started when I was in preschool, when I began to be involved in the music program at my church. I sang in the children's choir and played chimes from preschool to 5th grade. Around this time is when I began to play the violin (5th grade). I played in the orchestra all through middle school and high school, while also being an important part of the youth choir at church. I haven't taken any of these music appreciation classes that Katz describes, yet I believe that the best way to appreciate music to be a part of making it or performing it yourself.
The only music education I have is from middle school. I took orchestra class every day as an elective from sixth to eighth grade. I wasn't forced, but my mom did think it would be a good class for me to take, as both of my brothers took band or orchestra in middle school as well. Most of the class had taken orchestra in fourth and fifth grade as well, but I hadn't so I was behind and had to come in for extra lessons. I actually enjoyed being able to read music and bring it to life when I played it on my violin.
I began piano when I was six and only continued it for a year. I wasn't forced or encourage to play piano, it was just something I wanted to try. I ended up quitting it because at the time, I had very small hands and I remember getting frustrated because I couldn't reach all the keys. In elementary school, I was forced to go to a music class, once a week for 6 years. That was a little frustrating at the time because, though I enjoy listening to music, I did not enjoy being forced to learn to play the recorder and sing weird songs. I think the elementary school music class is similar to the music appreciation class that Katz wrote about. It was something to make us understand music and gave us an outlet to see if it was something we would enjoy doing.
When I was a junior in high school I tried to register for an elective that I wanted but it turned out to be full so I was automatically put into a music appreciation class against my will. I wasn't very excited about it but I actually enjoyed taking that class. The class was based around classical music and famous composers and pieces from the classical music era. We talked a lot about famous composers like Bach and Beethoven and their most famous works, but we also talked about classic music in history and how it evolved over time.
I've taken a lot of music-related classes over the years. In elementary school, I was definitely forced to attend music appreciation classes in the lower grades. They involved a lot of music games and learning about different composers. In 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade though, I chose to take chorus instead. I LOVED it. I took chorus all three years of middle school as well, and was in all-county honor choruses and took part in out-of school events. In high school, I didn't have a specific music class, but I kept my connection to music by still playing guitar and singing outside of school. In high school I was in color guard, though, so we got a lot of musical influence from the marching band.
My musical education consisted of four years of chorus, or "singing class as described by Katz," in elementary and middle school (grades 4-7). While i started off enjoying it, I became somewhat forced to continue it in the latter years of my education by my mom. Examples of lessons were reading music, learning to vocalize and project the music, and history of classical music and how it shaped popular music today.
My musical background mostly consists of what I chose to pursue. As a child I was very curious and tried as many things as I could but never really stuck with something. My parents were very supportive of me, so they allowed me to take piano lessons ( unfortunately we moved a lot so they were very inconsistent). For the most part I pursued singing as my musical background. I have always sung and since elementary school have partaken in choir
I have never been forced to take a music appreciation class, although in 6th grade I was made to take a class titled "General Music". We learned how to read music and how to bounce a tennis ball to the beat of a song. That is the extent of my musical education up until this class.
Like most people, I took music class in elementary school which mainly included learning and singing songs for concerts, and learning basic instruments like the recorder. In middle school I joined the band and learned how to play the flute. I was in band from 6th to 10th grade, and took lessons primarily in junior high. Now I only play occasionally, like when my family gets together at Christmas and everyone that has a musical talent displays it in sort of a "concert."
I began taking piano lessons around the age of 8. I was only able to take lessons until the age 12 because my paino teacher unfortunatley passed away. I did play in my middle school's concert band and jazz ensemble for all three years. I played the flute and piccolo in concert band as first chair. I played the piano for the jazz ensemble. My senior year of high school, i took classical musical appreciation at a technical college. I basically had to analyze music on a technical and academic level. It is now very hard for me to listen to music and not count it, or not pay attention to the instruments .
I have very little actual musical education. Yes I did take those classes in like second grade where the whole class would go to the music room and sing songs and in forth grade I could play some bangin songs on the recorder but I don't really think that counts. Katz was talking about how the focus shifted from composing music to understanding it and really deeply thinking about it. I haven't ever taken a class that focuses on listening to music until now but I do listen to music on my own and try to really understand it.
My musical education is pretty basic. I played the violin for two years in Intermediate School, and took the yearly music classes the school required us to take. During middle school, we were required to take at least one music class a year to "broaden our education", and students were required to do the same in high school to fulfill graduations requirements. In middle school, the classes were very general based talking about music history. In high school, I took guitar 1 and 2 to fulfill my credits. In the class, we talked about the history surrounding guitars and similar instruments in different cultures. What I thought was just another class, actually turned out to be extremely interesting and insightful.
I haven't specifically taken a music appreciation class, but when I was in middle school, I was forced to take a music class where we learned to play drums and other instruments and had to sing songs and listen to music of my teacher's choice. I remember a few specific instances where we had to listen to classical music pieces and write responses to them, and it was graded. It was pretty boring and kind of annoyingly advanced for 7th graders, so I hated it, but other than that I haven't had too many required music classes besides playing piano when I was younger, which my mom volunteered me for.
My music education was mandatory all throughout elementary school. We were required to go to music class every week. But instead of listening and appreciating the music like Katz described I was taught to play the recorder. We had to master certain skills on the recorder in order to get a certain grade in the class. Katz describes classes where students would focus on the music and "develop a deeper understanding" was never an option in my education. My school was always more focused on actually developing the skills to play instruments.
ReplyDeleteIn elementary school they made it a requirement to be in either band, orchestra, or general music. I was in band for two years (4th and 5th grade) then quit when it was no longer required. I then took a music appreciation course, because I needed a fine arts credit to come to school here. I would not consider myself a musically gifted person by any stretch of the imagination and although I took the music appreciation course, I don't know if I really hung onto much of anything that I learned.
ReplyDeleteI never took any kind of music appreciation classes in school. My parents aren't very musical people, so never enrolled me in any kind of music program other than middle school band, which barely counts. In high school we weren't required to take any kind of music class, so I've never had "formal" musical education. Most of my musical knowledge comes from simply just listening to and reading about music.
ReplyDeleteThroughout elementary school, music class was just something you took. It wasn't a serious class, you just played your recorder or those wacky, pipe looking sticks, and went on with your day. Graduation to middle school, things changed. I was never forced to take a music class, but I love music so I did. I took musical theater and chorus throughout middle school and I loved it. Moving on to high school, things changed again. We were not forced to do music class, but if you wanted to you had to audition. So I auditioned, and I was in the Lexington High Chamber Choir for four years. Music class has always held a positive spot in my school career, and I see no problem with children taking this throughout their schooling.
ReplyDeleteIn elementary school, we had general music class where we played the recorder, talked about certain notes and sounds, and watched musicals. We also had those weird colored tubes that you bang on the ground and they produce different pitches. In the fifth grade, I joined the band voluntarily and played in the band until the 9th grade. In high school, we had to have a fine arts credit to graduate, but it didn't have to be music. It could be art also. I took piano for my fine arts credit and in that class we each would work on a keyboard, and we had to perform for the teacher and at the end of the year we performed for the class.
ReplyDeleteThe only time I can remember taking anything close to a music appreciation class is in elementary school where we listened to various styles of music and read about the artists who typically came from different backgrounds and places. Not all of it was classical, and they were typically only short excerpts of songs. These classes were in grades 2-6 so I don't really remember specifics about the lesson plans. Throughout high school I took many Chorus classes, but those are more of the other kinds of music classes Katz describes, those of music performance and making music.
ReplyDeleteIn late elementary school, orchestra was the "cool" thing to do although it wasn't a required course. So I played the violin in fourth and fifth grade before quitting out of boredom from only being allowed to pluck the strings... in middle school all students had to take some kind of music credit, either choir, orchestra, band, or general music. All of the students who didn't want to play an instrument were forced to sing in choir, which was sheer torture. (However we ended up having to play the recorder in choir anyways too).
ReplyDeleteMy musical education began around the 6th grade, when I first began to take band and practice trumpet. I was never really forced to take a music appreciation class because I have always been appreciative of music and feel that it deserves some of the appreciation that it gets. I got really into the idea of music after my first year of playing trumpet and actually started to take lessons and begin my practice of the piano. The teachers I had for both of those instruments taught me very well and gave me an understanding of music that I never knew could have been there.
ReplyDeleteThe last music appreciation class I was required to take for school dates all the way back to elementary school. I also played the violin in fifth grade, because every fifth grader voluntarily tried out one instrument at this time, except that ended when the school year did. My middle school and high school didn't really offer any of these classes unless you were in chorus or actually played an instrument. The next type of musical education I received was in sophomore year when I started playing acoustic guitar. I took lessons for about 2 years outside of school, and now I am currently enrolled in a music appreciation class in college.
ReplyDeleteMy music education started when I was in preschool, when I began to be involved in the music program at my church. I sang in the children's choir and played chimes from preschool to 5th grade. Around this time is when I began to play the violin (5th grade). I played in the orchestra all through middle school and high school, while also being an important part of the youth choir at church. I haven't taken any of these music appreciation classes that Katz describes, yet I believe that the best way to appreciate music to be a part of making it or performing it yourself.
ReplyDeleteThe only music education I have is from middle school. I took orchestra class every day as an elective from sixth to eighth grade. I wasn't forced, but my mom did think it would be a good class for me to take, as both of my brothers took band or orchestra in middle school as well. Most of the class had taken orchestra in fourth and fifth grade as well, but I hadn't so I was behind and had to come in for extra lessons. I actually enjoyed being able to read music and bring it to life when I played it on my violin.
ReplyDeleteI began piano when I was six and only continued it for a year. I wasn't forced or encourage to play piano, it was just something I wanted to try. I ended up quitting it because at the time, I had very small hands and I remember getting frustrated because I couldn't reach all the keys. In elementary school, I was forced to go to a music class, once a week for 6 years. That was a little frustrating at the time because, though I enjoy listening to music, I did not enjoy being forced to learn to play the recorder and sing weird songs. I think the elementary school music class is similar to the music appreciation class that Katz wrote about. It was something to make us understand music and gave us an outlet to see if it was something we would enjoy doing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a junior in high school I tried to register for an elective that I wanted but it turned out to be full so I was automatically put into a music appreciation class against my will. I wasn't very excited about it but I actually enjoyed taking that class. The class was based around classical music and famous composers and pieces from the classical music era. We talked a lot about famous composers like Bach and Beethoven and their most famous works, but we also talked about classic music in history and how it evolved over time.
ReplyDeleteI've taken a lot of music-related classes over the years. In elementary school, I was definitely forced to attend music appreciation classes in the lower grades. They involved a lot of music games and learning about different composers. In 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade though, I chose to take chorus instead. I LOVED it. I took chorus all three years of middle school as well, and was in all-county honor choruses and took part in out-of school events. In high school, I didn't have a specific music class, but I kept my connection to music by still playing guitar and singing outside of school. In high school I was in color guard, though, so we got a lot of musical influence from the marching band.
ReplyDeleteMy musical education consisted of four years of chorus, or "singing class as described by Katz," in elementary and middle school (grades 4-7). While i started off enjoying it, I became somewhat forced to continue it in the latter years of my education by my mom. Examples of lessons were reading music, learning to vocalize and project the music, and history of classical music and how it shaped popular music today.
ReplyDeleteMy musical background mostly consists of what I chose to pursue. As a child I was very curious and tried as many things as I could but never really stuck with something. My parents were very supportive of me, so they allowed me to take piano lessons ( unfortunately we moved a lot so they were very inconsistent). For the most part I pursued singing as my musical background. I have always sung and since elementary school have partaken in choir
ReplyDeleteI have never been forced to take a music appreciation class, although in 6th grade I was made to take a class titled "General Music". We learned how to read music and how to bounce a tennis ball to the beat of a song. That is the extent of my musical education up until this class.
ReplyDeleteLike most people, I took music class in elementary school which mainly included learning and singing songs for concerts, and learning basic instruments like the recorder. In middle school I joined the band and learned how to play the flute. I was in band from 6th to 10th grade, and took lessons primarily in junior high. Now I only play occasionally, like when my family gets together at Christmas and everyone that has a musical talent displays it in sort of a "concert."
ReplyDeleteI began taking piano lessons around the age of 8. I was only able to take lessons until the age 12 because my paino teacher unfortunatley passed away. I did play in my middle school's concert band and jazz ensemble for all three years. I played the flute and piccolo in concert band as first chair. I played the piano for the jazz ensemble. My senior year of high school, i took classical musical appreciation at a technical college. I basically had to analyze music on a technical and academic level. It is now very hard for me to listen to music and not count it, or not pay attention to the instruments .
ReplyDeleteI have very little actual musical education. Yes I did take those classes in like second grade where the whole class would go to the music room and sing songs and in forth grade I could play some bangin songs on the recorder but I don't really think that counts. Katz was talking about how the focus shifted from composing music to understanding it and really deeply thinking about it. I haven't ever taken a class that focuses on listening to music until now but I do listen to music on my own and try to really understand it.
ReplyDeleteMy musical education is pretty basic. I played the violin for two years in Intermediate School, and took the yearly music classes the school required us to take. During middle school, we were required to take at least one music class a year to "broaden our education", and students were required to do the same in high school to fulfill graduations requirements. In middle school, the classes were very general based talking about music history. In high school, I took guitar 1 and 2 to fulfill my credits. In the class, we talked about the history surrounding guitars and similar instruments in different cultures. What I thought was just another class, actually turned out to be extremely interesting and insightful.
ReplyDeleteI haven't specifically taken a music appreciation class, but when I was in middle school, I was forced to take a music class where we learned to play drums and other instruments and had to sing songs and listen to music of my teacher's choice. I remember a few specific instances where we had to listen to classical music pieces and write responses to them, and it was graded. It was pretty boring and kind of annoyingly advanced for 7th graders, so I hated it, but other than that I haven't had too many required music classes besides playing piano when I was younger, which my mom volunteered me for.
ReplyDelete