(Printable Copy of Syllabus)

MUS 240 - FUNDAMENTALS OF CONDUCTING
Fall Term 2006-2007
T/TH 1:30 - 2:45

INSTRUCTORS:

PURPOSE:

This course is designed to introduce the student to the fundamental techniques and concepts of conducting, emphasizing the development of physical conducting technique and the rudiments of score study.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Green, Elizabeth A.H. The Modern Conductor. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.

EXAMINATIONS:

“Midterm” Exam (September 28 and 30) - 20%
In-class conducting assignments - 30%
Choral Unit and Exam - 20% (Conducting 10%, Written Exam 10%)
Instrumental Unit Exam - 30% (Conducting %20, Written 10%)

ATTENDANCE

Attendance at all classes is required. Absences may be excused with prior approval of the instructor. Please bring your text, baton and all assigned conducting material to each class.

REQUIRED CONCERT ATTENDANCE

Two concerts - performed by chorus, orchestra or concert band/wind ensemble, led by a conductor – with one to two-page “concert review” submitted for each. Concert review #1 due October 14 – Concert review #2 due December 2 – Please note: Failure to turn in these assignments will result in a reduction of your final course grade.

REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENTS FROM TEXT (Due date):

8/30: “The Art of Conducting” by Eugene Ormandy, pg. ix.
Chapter 1, “So you want to be a conductor?”
Chapter 2, The Conductor: Basic Time-beating

9/2: Chapter 3, The Baton
Chapter 4, TWO, ONE, SIX, FIVE, and Subdivided Beats

9/9: Chapter 5, The Expressive Gestures
Chapter 6, Phrasing, Tempo Changes, Endings

9/14: Chapter 7, Developing the Left Hand

9/16: Chapter 8, The Fermata

9/23: No reading assignment due

9/28,9/30 “Midterm” Conducting Exam (September 28 & 30)

10/5: Choral Score Study Guide

10/14: Choral Score Study Guide (continuation)

10/21: Reading assignment TBA

10/28: Reading assignment TBA

11/4: Chapter 9, Time Beating, fast fives, sevens, etc.
Chapter 12, Clefs and Transposition

11/11: Appendix E, Terminology for the Conductor

11/18: No Reading assignment

11/25: No Reading assignment

12/2, 7: Final Exam - Instrumental Conducting Portion (December 2 and 7)

REQUIRED CONDUCTING EXERCISES/ASSIGNMENTS FROM TEXT
OR SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:

8/30: The Two Basic Training Exercises, p. 5 - 7
Exercises for Practice: Training the Ear, p. 7

9/2: Problems, Series 1-3, p.10-12, + Prep beats and cut-off gestures
Exercises for Practice: The Baton, p. 26
Exercises for Practice: Divided Beats, p. 38

9/7: Exercises for Practice: Developing Expression in the Gestures, p. 63 - 64

9/9: Drill, p.78

9/16: Exercises for Practice: Cuing and Left-Hand Independence, p. 94 - 95
Exercises for Practice: Handling the Fermata, p. 102 - 110

9/23: Fermatas, cuing, and left hand independence, continued.

9/28-9/30: Midterm Exams

10/5-11/2 Choral Unit (with Dr. Jones)

11/4-11/9: Choral Unit Conducting Final (October 29 and October 31)

11/11: Exercises for Practice: Skill in Clefs and Transpositions, p. 180 - 181
Clefs and Transpositions Worksheets (handout)

11/16: Terminology for the Conductor (handout)
Discussion of Instrumental Conducting Lab Final
Instrumental Conducting Lab

11/18: Instrumental Conducting Lab
Review for Written Exam (as needed)

11/23 Instrumental Conducting Lab

11/30 Instrumental Conducting Lab
Review for Written Exam (as needed)

12/2: Final Exam - Instrumental Conducting Portion

12/7: Final Exam - Instrumental Conducting Portion

12/? Final Exam - Instrumental Written Portion (Monday, Dec. 15 2:00-3:50)