Curricular overview for Music
Students have their regular music hours during instruction and can choose to take part in one or more of the many vocal and instrumental ensembles offered by the JFKS Music Department as extracurricular activities.
Grades 7-10 (Mittelstufe)
Music is a required subject for these grades. Practical music making, analyzing music and reflecting on music are emphasized. Included are theory skills and an introduction to music history. Grade 7 covers the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods, while grade 8 deals with the Classical and Romantic Periods and grade 9 the Modern Period. In grade 10 the emphasis is placed upon non-European music and the genres of Rock, Pop and Jazz.
Grades 11-12 (Oberstufe)
The Music Curriculum in 11th and 12th grades incorporates the historical and cultural aspects of music (1-4) as well as the theory of music (5,6) as detailed in the following overview. Students have the choice between a Grundkurs and a Leistungskurs with the Leistungskurs approaching the curriculum in more detail:
- Music through the ages: Overview of the various style periods
- Music and society: e.g. Music during the Third Reich
- Music of various cultures: e.g. world music
- Music in connection with other art forms and forms of expression: e.g. film music, ballet, music drama
- The structure of music: e.g. form
- The basics of music: composition and harmony
Leistungskurs Music
Abitur students can take Music as one of their Leistungskurse in 11th and 12th grade. The German curriculum is followed over the course of the four semesters, and a wide variety of topics in music history, theory, performance and individual creativity are explored. Playing an instrument or having singing experience is not a requirement, but it certainly helps. Attending performances of live music is an important part of the curriculum. Please note: the Leistungskurs is offered only during school years in which sufficient numbers of students sign up for it.
Grundkurs Music
The Music Grundkurs at JFKS is for students in grades 11 and 12 and is an elective. It is primarily Abitur students who take this course, though it is certainly open to diploma students as well. The class/subject can also be selected for Abitur examinations. The German curriculum is followed over the course of the four semesters, and a wide variety of topics in music history, theory, performance and individual creativity are explored. Playing an instrument or having singing experience is not a requirement, but it certainly helps. Attending performances of live music is an important part of the curriculum. This course is sometimes offered by American teachers and sometimes by German teachers. The mother tongue of the teacher is the language of the particular class.
Abitur students may also choose Band, Concert Choir or Orchestra as one of their “Grundkurse.”
AP Music Theory
AP Music Theory is an intensive study of music theory rules and practices from the European Common Practice Period. Students who wish to study music theory in great depth or who wish to prepare for the AP exam should take the course. A strong basic understanding of music theory is necessary to begin the course. The course meets 2 class hours per week. Admission is by permission of the instructor only.
Instructor: Ms. Cook, lcook@jfksberlin.org
