Syllabus for Elementary Conducting: APST 260
Syllabus | Schedule |
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Professor:
Joanne Erwin
Office: R130 - x8208
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MWF 10:00-10:50
or 11-11:50
2 Sem. Hrs.
Rooms C21, C25 |
Secretary:
Secretary: Ms. Banks, B113 - 775-8200 |
I. CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Designed for Conservatory students in any major, a course stressing baton technique and score preparation. The development of fundamental conducting approaches for expressive articulations and specific conducting problems. Prerequisites: Completion of MUTH 101 and 131 or the equivalent; some piano proficiency required. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment limit 40: Not open to first-year students.
II. MATERIALS
A. Assigned readings on E-reserve in the Conservatory Library
B. Baton (Available at Oberlin Bookstore)
C. Score: Handel, G. The Messiah (Dover Scores). (Available at bookstore)
D. MiniDV videotape available at bookstore, Ben Franklin, Copy store
III. OBJECTIVES
The primary aim of this course, in compliance with the Conservatory and Music Education Division mission statements, is to prepare students for the art of teaching music by developing students' musicianship, pedagogy, and scholarship. Students completing APST 260 will demonstrate growth and competency in:
A. Coordinating and controlling physical movement in response to the rhythmic and expressive character of the music.
B. Conducting beat patterns in various tempi.
C. Conducting expressive articulations (dynamics, legato, staccato, etc.).
D. Conducting special problems: preparatory beats, releases, accents, phrases, fermati, crescendo /descrescendo, accelerando/ritardando, etc.)
E. Score preparation:
1. Learning and singing all voice part for portions of Messiah and other pieces that are assigned prior to conducting them. (This is to be done without accompaniment and with octave transposition when necessary.)
2. Performing a score (or portions thereof) on piano keyboard.
3. Analyzing historical and musical features of a score and formulating an appropriate conducting approach.
F. Reviewing videotape of their conducting and providing detailed self-analyses as to the effectiveness and accuracy of conducting gestures.
IV. ASSIGNED READING
Assigned readings are indicated on the course schedule. It is each student's responsibility to have read the appropriate material when the topic is being discussed or demonstrated in class. Quizzes will include questions based on the reading, as well as information discussed in class.
Assigned readings and other supplemental materials are on reserve in the Conservatory Library and include:
Green, E. (1997). The modern conductor, 6th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Hunsberger, D. (1992). The art of conducting, 2nd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Kahn, Emil (1975). The elements of conducting. New York: Schirmer.
Kohut, D. & Grant, J. (1990). Learning to conduct and rehearse. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Labuta, Joseph (1982). Basic Conducting Techniques. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
V. EVALUATION
Grading will be based on the following:
A. Class work (30%)
1. Daily active participation in class and videotape self analyses.
2. Daily demonstration of singing and conducting skills; preparation of score.
B. Individual conferences (30%):
1. Conducting.
2. Performing of scores at the keyboard.
3. Singing of parts.
C. Conducting (30%):
1. Mid-semester (15%)
2. Final (15%)
D. Quizzes (10%).
All papers and assignments adhere to the Honor Code as stated in the student handbook.
VI. ATTENDANCE POLICY
The class serves as the laboratory performing group for each conducting student. Therefore, regular, active, and punctual attendance is important for all sessions. Three tardies will equal an absence. When illness prohibits class attendance, the instructors should be informed prior to the class that the student will miss. The student is also responsible for notifying the instructors within the first few classes of the semester of any absence that will occur due to off-campus performance obligations. When an absence occurs, the student is responsible for submitting assignments on the assigned due date. Absolutely no absences are permitted on days when the mid-semester and final videotaping are scheduled.
***You are allowed three absences this semester. An absence is an absence; there is no differentiation between excused and unexcused absences. After three absences, your final course grade will be lowered by one letter grade for each additional absence. Three late arrivals (tardies) equals one absence.**
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