LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
MUEP 380: Conducting Principles
Course Syllabus
Fall Term 2004
INSTRUCTOR: Phillip A. Swan
MEETING TIME/LOCATION:
MONDAY |
SHAT 163 |
1:30-3:30 PM |
WEDNESDAY |
SHAT 156 |
1:30-2:40 PM |
FRIDAY |
SHAT 156 |
1:30-2:40 PM |
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
OFFICE: Con West - Room 209
E-MAIL: phillip.a.swan@lawrence.edu
PHONE: office: (920) 993-6282, home: (920) 205-4844
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides students with practical procedures and materials
for beginning conducting. Students enrolled in this course demonstrate
essential conducting techniques, knowledge of literature, and the ability
to analyze and synthesize music scores for conception, interpretations,
rehearsal, and performance. Your success is important and determined
by your consistent participation, both as a conductor and performer
for the other members of the class. It is expected that students will
be present and on time for all class meetings and appointments.
TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
1) Max Rudolf, "The Grammar Of Conducting" (third edition)
3) Johannes Brahms, German Requiem (Full Score - Dover edition)
4) Gustav Holst, The Planets (Full Score – Dover edition)
5) Orchestral and Choral compositions as assigned.
6) 2 Mini DV tapes (for digital video camera)
7) Conducting baton (12” or 14”)
8) 2 blank DVD's for final video project (one will be turned in as the
final project)
9) Dry erase marker
10) Music Dictionary (or access to one)
11) Additional texts available through handouts and on reserve in library.
(Green , Elizabeth A. H. - The Modern Conductor.)
(Video: Kleiber)
Bring your text, baton, marker and assigned
work to each class.
COURSE FINAL EXAMINATION
Tuesday, December 7, 2004 |
SHAT 156 |
8:30-11:30 AM |
OBJECTIVES:
At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Develop and refine essential competencies while conducting:
a. preparatory beat, downbeat, and rebounds
b. beat patterns (4, 3, 2, 1, sub-divisions and compound meter)
c. preparations in tempo, dynamic, and style
d. preparation and releases for all counts
e. mixed meters
f. musical styles: legato, marcato, and staccato
g. fermata
h. cue
i. left hand
j. tempo changes
k. use of baton
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the following:
a. dynamics
b. tempo terms
c. tempo fluctuations
3. Demonstrate ability to analyze and synthesize the score for conception,
interpretation, rehearsal, and performance.
Grading:
Video-taped Conducting (8) |
35 points each |
280 |
Video Self-Evaluations (8) |
25 points each |
200 |
Video Group Evaluations (8) |
15 points each |
120 |
Conducting Observations (2) |
50 points each |
100 |
Digital Video Project |
|
150 |
Article Review |
|
25 |
Video Review |
|
25 |
Final Conducting Exam |
|
100 |
|
Total Possible Points: |
1000 |
93-100% = A
90-92% = A-
87-89% = B+
83-86% = B
80-82% = B-
77-79% = C+
73-76% = C
70-72% = C-
67-69% = D+
63-66% = D
60-62% = D-
00-59% = F
Please note: Attendance does affect your grade. When you are
not conducting, you will be acting as part of the ensemble for the other
conductors. If you are absent it affects the conductor’s ability
to both work with the class/ensemble and evaluate his or her own performance.
If you are absent for a videotaping session and the absence is unexcused,
you will not be allowed to make up the missed session. Video self-evaluations
are due two class sessions after the student's video-taped conducting
session (e.g. - conduct on Wednesday . . . critique due on Monday).
All written assignments are to be typed. You are expected to use proper
sentence structure and paragraph format expressing complete thoughts.
Poor grammar and disregard for form/structure will result in a lowered
grade for each assignment.
Just as absences will negatively affect the quality of each student's
conducting experience, so too will lack of participation and preparation
from all musicians (other class members). All class participants are expected
to be acquainted with the music to be prepared for each assignment. Poor
participation or preparation on the part of a class member will result
in a lowered grade.
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