SAMFORD UNIVERSITY DIVISION OF MUSIC Professor: Timothy P. Banks, D.Mus.A.

MUSC 307: CHORAL CONDUCTING Office: LSW 318 Phone: 726-2486

E-mail: <tpbanks@samford.edu>

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

MUSC 307 is the primary course in choral conducting for undergraduate students. The course contains modules designed to enhance the student's grasp of choral literature and rehearsal technique, vocal development of the choral singer, style and performance practice of choral music throughout its history, and management and development of choral ensembles in the school, church and community.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

- To study and practice conducting techniques specifically applied to the choral ensemble, with a practical approach to the rehearsal and performance of choral literature in diverse environments including elementary, middle, secondary and higher educational institutions, churches, and civic or community organizations.

- To learn terminology, repertoire and stylistic considerations appropriate for today's active choral musician.

- To develop in the student a systematic method for score study, language or diction study, theory, form and analysis as specifically related to the choral genre.

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.

- Written tests on terminology, readings, and other objective material.

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.

Choral conducting is a performing medium, like voice, piano, or other solo instruments. Students will be expected to perform frequently in class. Therefore, regular class attendance is expected. Policies for absences are those adopted by the Division of Music faculty, which state:

"1. The number of absences permitted in a class in theDivision of Music shall not exceed twice the number of class meetings per week for a class that meets throughout the semester...." [Therefore, maximum allowable absences for this course will be four (4), after which the student would received the grade of FA.]

"2. At the discretion of the instructor, a student may be permitted to make up examinations, quizzes, or other

class work in the following situations:

a. illness that requires hospitalization or off-campus medical treatment

(This must be verified by a note from the attending physician);

b. incapacitating illness;

c. Death in the immediate family;

d. Required participation in a university-sponsored event.

"In these circumstances, the student is responsible for communicating with the instructor prior to the class

meeting time. (All instructors have voice mail on their office telephones.)....

"3. Three tardies count as one absence."

GRADING:

The semester's grade is based on all demonstrations of technique, all conducting opportunities, evaluations, tests, and student attitude. Each of these is pointed and averaged to arrive at 80% of the final grade. There will be an applied conducting exam before the class or a lab choral ensemble which will constitute 20% of the final grade.
 
 

REQUIRED TEXT:

Up Front! Becoming the Complete Choral Conductor

Guy B. Webb, editor (ECS Publishing, 1993)
 
 

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT:

Textbook

Unit I: Review of Basic Conducting Technique;                 Conducting (p. 121); Mastery of Choral Ensemble (p. 95);
            Introduction to Rehearsal Technique;                     Rehearsal Technique (p. 211);
            Choral Methodology; Score Study                           The Tools of a Choral Musician (p. 233)

Unit II: Tone and Diction;                                                     Choral Tone (p. 147); Diction (p. 187)
             Vocal Health and Development

Unit III: Style and Interpretation                                          Choral Literature: Reserarch References… (p. 17);
                                                                                                Score Selection, Study, and Interpretation (p. 33);
                                                                                                Coming to Terms With Historical Performance Practices (p. 71);
                                                                                                Resources for the Choral Conductor (p. 277)

Unit IV: Programming, Planning, and Procedures                 Effective Choral Programming (p. 265)