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MUEP 380: Conducting Principles
Phillip A. Swan, Associate Director of Choral Studies

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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.

 

Last updated August 24, 2004

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