Stephen F.

Austin

High School
Songwriting Handbook

2017-2018
TR Forrest
Director of Choirs
Austin High School
1715 W. Cesar Chavez
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 414-7374
tr.forrest@austinisd.org
Monday, August 21, 2017

Welcome! You and your musician are a member of the Stephen F. Austin High School Music

Theory/Songwriting Department! This college-level program is based on a cumulative sequence of

musical experiences designed to promote the continuous growth of students in musical understanding,

skills, and knowledge so that they can discover, understand, enjoy, and create music as art and as a

means of self-expression. It is open to any student interested in music--regardless of skill level or

ability to play an instrument. It is a non-performing Fine Arts Credit.

Please read the handbook and agreement form. My conference hour is 1st period on “A” days

and 7th period on “B” days. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any ideas for the

upcoming school year, please feel free to contact me.

Respectfully,

TR Forrest
T.R. Forrest
Music Theory/Songwriting Department
Songwriting Objective: Use Music theory use create a unique, finished, quality piece of
music.

I: Fundamentals II: Diatonic Triads III: Diatonic Seventh Chords

IV: Voice-Leading V: Chromaticism VI: Romanticism and the Twentieth Century

1. MAKE-UPS Good attendance is imperative if a musician is to be successful. It is understood that illnesses

and serious emergencies will occur, but avoidable absences are discouraged. District policy dictates you will
have one day for each day’s absence plus one day for make-up work. It is the students’ responsibility to
request make up work. Previous days assignments and lecture notes may be available in the Music Theory
room on the piano.
2. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES A tardy is counted if the student is not in assigned seat, working on warm-up
assignment when the bell rings.

3. ILLNESS All students are expected to be at rehearsals and sectionals if in class. If you are ill, you are
expected to participate.

4. LECTURES There will be no days off or free time in Composition. We have much to cover and practice
and/or have class bell to bell every day. Please plan accordingly.

5. DISCIPLINE--The Golden 10 Every student should come to class prepared with prepared assignment,
homework, folder, pencil, and manuscript paper.

6. GUM, candy, food, or drinks are not allowed during rehearsal. H2O with a bottle-cap is allowed.

7. Interruptions during class must be kept to a minimum. The Director determines when and where
interruptions can occur. As always, you may raise your hand periodically to ask questions.

8. The choir room has a variety of expensive equipment. All facilities, especially pianos, should only be used
with director’s approval.

9. Student’s belongings should not be left in the Theory room for any reason. Items left in the Theory room
will be taken to the 1st floor lost and found office each Friday.

10. The Theory room is immediately across from a water fountain and both restrooms. It is requested that these
things be taken care of during passing periods.

11. Inappropriate behavior such as excessive talking, disrespect, gossip, rude gestures or language, or any
behavior determined inappropriate by the director will result in the below consequences--swiftly and
immediately.

12. CONSEQUENCES--The Ugly 5 All will be documented. 1st Step--verbal warning. 2nd Step--verbal
th
warning 3rd—Teacher/Student Conference 4 Parent Contact 5th--Administrative Referral --
No exceptions

13. ASSIGNMENTS There will be a minimum of two daily grades per week. Scheduled tests are announced and
are usually on Thursday or Friday. Various pop quizzes may be given to ensure students keep up.

14. If an assignment is missed due to an absence, the student is responsible for making up the work within 3 school
days. Make-up work must be completed individually during FIT or after school—not during class.

15. LATE ASSIGNMENTS Late work or projects will lose 10 points for each school day that the assignment is
late. Late work is considered late if the assignment has been collected by the teacher and placed in the Music
Theory box.
16. SEATING Students will be assigned seating. Unfortunately, special requests cannot be honored.

17. TUTORING The Director is available before school, during lunch, FIT and after school by appointment

18. THEORY NOTEBOOK You must keep a binder with all notes in it for reference. The notebook will have the
first divider for notes, second for hand outs and third for quizzes and tests. You may NOT use a binder for
another class but you must have all five sections listed. Notebooks will be graded once a six weeks. You may
store them in the orange cabinet but you are responsible for your own folder.

19. REQUIRED MATERIALS Due September 6h 2017

1 inch hardback binder with the following 5 tab dividers—Please, no non songwriting paperwork
a. Notes
b. Handouts
c. Quizzes and Tests
d. Ear Training
e. Manuscript Paper
20. 50 sheets of loose leaf paper, college ruled
21. 300 sheets of Manuscript paper (available at any music store or at www.blanksheetmusic.net)
22. 3 Sharpened Pencils or Mechanical pencils
23. Extra erasers
24. Colored pencils or highlighters (optional)
25. Absolutely no pen should be used in the music theory class at any time by any student at any time Any
songwriting work turn in in pen will be politely handed back ungraded.
26. Your theory folder will be randomly graded once a six weeks on the following scale:
27. Neatness 20 Dividers 20 Pencil 20 On time 20 Overall 20
28. Austin Live Music Days will occur approximately twice a month during class. Guest artists
will visit. Feel free to sing, play, rap, play a song, or share with the group any musical
experiences you may have had.
 Songwriting Handbook Agreement
I have read and understand the requirements and expectations Songwriting and will do my best to attend every day,
participate, and complete the required work for the course to the best of my ability.

_________________________________________ __________________________________
Student Signature Date

Songwriting Handbook Agreement

I have read and understand the requirements and expectations Songwriting and will do my best to attend every day,
participate, and complete the required work for the course to the best of my ability.

_________________________________________ __________________________________

Songwriting Handbook Agreement

I have read and understand the requirements and expectations Songwriting and will do my best to attend every day,
participate, and complete the required work for the course to the best of my ability.

_________________________________________ __________________________________
Student Signature Date

Student Signature Date