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:
Organizational
three-ring notebook (for handouts)
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)
COURSE PROCEDURES:
‑
Lectures and class demonstrations;
‑
‑
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
E.
Green, The Modern Conductor
(Englewood Cliffs: Prentice‑Hall,
1997)
M. Rudolf, The Grammar of Conducting. (New York:
Schirmer Books, 1980)
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE: