SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS

DIVISION OF MUSIC

MUSC 107: BASIC CONDUCTING

Professor: Timothy P. Banks, D.Mus.A.

Office: LSW 318 Phone: 726‑2486

E-mail: tpbanks@samford.edu Home-page: http://faculty.samford.edu/~tpbanks

COURSE OVERVIEW:

MUSC 107 is the foundation course for beginning conductors. Emphasis is placed upon both the development of motor skills needed in proper conducting gesture as well as cognitive skills required for successful score study and rehearsal operation. Each student spends a large part of the class time in actual conducting practice, either alone or in a group, with the remainder spent in score study, stylistic analysis, and studies related to rehearsal techniques and management.

REQUIRED MATERIAL:

Timothy Paul Banks, A Conductor’s Lexicon: Resources for Basic Conducting Study

(Birmingham: Highlands House Music Publishers, 2004)

One orchestral baton (14‑18" in length)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. properly execute all conducting patterns of duple, triple, compound and irregular meters.

(Class conducting demonstration, video taping and final jury)

2. demonstrate a mastery of rehearsal procedures for instrumental and vocal organizations.

(Class conducting demonstration, video taping)

3. demonstrate an understanding of proper performance practice of instrumental and vocal music during the major periods of Western music history (i.e. Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Twentieth Century).

(Written exams and Class conducting demonstration)

4. utilize score reading along with terminological and stylistic analysis in order to properly prepare for rehearsal and performance in the areas of instrumental ensemble, vocal ensemble, and

music theatre.

(Written exams, class conducting demonstration, video taping and final jury)

Upon completion of this class, the student will have the ability to utilize score reading, stylistic analysis, rehearsal management, performance practice, and conducting techniques while conducting music ensembles.

COURSE PROCEDURES:

‑ Lectures and class demonstrations;

‑ Readings in the recommended textbook and other sources;

‑ Student‑teacher application of techniques under study;

‑ In‑class evaluation of above demonstrations;

‑ Use of video tape recording.

STUDENT PREPARATION AND ATTENDANCE:

It is recommended that the student spend at least one hour in preparation for each hour spent in class. Each student must, however, spend as much time as is necessary to master the technique under study.

Conducting is a performing medium, like voice, piano, or other solo instruments. Students are expected to perform frequently in class. Therefore, regular class attendance is expected. Absence from more than 3 hours of class may result in a reduction of grade; more than 6 hours of absence may result in an F (WF). Only those absences excused under the standard University regulations will be considered; however, a student must have notified the instructor within a reasonable period. Three tardies will constitute one absence.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Elizabeth Green, The Modern Conductor (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice‑Hall, 2003)

M. Rudolf, The Grammar of Conducting, 3^rd ed (Belmont, CA: Schirmer / Thomson / Wadworth, 1995)

COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE:

I. Gestural language

1. Vocabulary: Beat & organization of patterns;

Cues & other gestural

terminology

2. Grammar: 2, 3, 4, 6, & other regular &

irregular patterns;

Preparatory gestures;

Subdivision;

Fermatas

3. Expression: Articulation (legato/staccato);

Crescendo/Decrescendo;

Ritardando/Accelerando;

Accents & Syncopation

II. Terminology

1. Standard musical terms

a. Tempo

b. Dynamics

c. Expression

2. Specialized musical terms

a. Vocal

b. Keyboard

c. String

d. Brass

e. Woodwind

f. Percussion

III. Theoretical & Analytical Skills

1. Score study (mental listening)

a. Auralizing the score

b. Trouble‑shooting

c. Expression

2. Rehearsal analysis (active listening)

a. Perception of mistakes

b. Correction of mistakes

c. Procedural order

3. Performance

a. Rehearsal as performance

b. Rehearsal projection toward performance

c. Performance situations:

Church, School, Music Theatre

(opera & Broadway),

Community (volunteer),

Professional (live & recorded)

4. Practical skills

a. Keyboard reduction

b. Orchestration

IV. Self‑assessment

1. Video

2. Audio

3. Mirrors

4. Reviews

5. Comments from peers

6. Comments from constituency

EVALUATION: Students must meet each evaluation criteria with 70% mastery for a grade of "C";

80% mastery for a grade of "B"; 90% mastery for a grade of "A."

The semester's grade is based on all demonstrations of technique, all conducting opportunities, evaluations, tests, and student attitude and attendance. Each of these is pointed and averaged to arrive at 75% of the final grade. There will be a comprehensive applied conducting jury exam during the final exam period, during which the student will conduct a small lab ensemble in examples drawn from the semester repertoire. The final jury exam grade will constitute 25% of the final grade.

Notice:

Samford University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who seek accommodations must make their request through the Advisor for Students with Disabilities located in Counseling Services on the lower level of Pittman Hall or by calling 726-4078. A faculty member will only grant reasonable accommodations upon notification from the Advisor for Students with Disabilities.