Introduction to Conducting (Music 113A) Spring 2016 (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 1:00-1:50pm Slosberg 227) Robert Duff, instructor (office: 781.736.3324; e-mail: rduff@brandeis.edu) General information This course introduces the basic concepts of conducting, score study, and aural skills necessary to effectively shape and mold music in an ensemble setting. We will learn and examine the art and study of conducting, baton technique, left hand technique, non-verbal communication, leadership, conducting terminology, transpositions, score reading and rehearsal management. Objectives of the Course 1. To be able to conduct 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 patterns and their subdivisions 2. To have a command of the conducting basics, which involve executing and controlling: preparations and cut-offs, cueing, fermatas, dynamics, articulations, tempo changes, complex and irregular meters, phrasing, and expressive gestures 3. To have a functional use of the left hand for dynamic control, cueing, and phrasing 4. To develop score study skills, involving ear training, analysis, research, style interpretation, score reading, and score study 5. To develop skills necessary to make a strong connection with the ensemble and hear 6. To begin to develop aural skills necessary to make musical corrections within the ensemble 7. To be able to begin to evaluate, refine, and develop score-learning, conducting, rehearsal and performing skills through study, practice, recording and private feedback Text and materials All required readings for the course will be posted on Latte. You will be responsible for purchasing a baton ($15 from the Music Department) and should bring paper and manuscript paper to class. Grades for the work in this course Your grade will be determined by your performance on the various quizzes and examinations that will occur regularly in this class, on your score study assignments and on your attendance and participation in class.
Grade point distribution is as follows: Daily Preparation Participation & Attendance Recorded Conducting Sessions Midterm Examination Final Examination 150 points 150 points 200 points 250 points 250 points Two unexcused absences are allowed. A third unexcused absence will reduce the attendance/participation total to 130 pts. possible. A fourth unexcused absence will reduce the attendance/participation total to 100 pts. possible. After five or more unexcused absences, no points will be given for attendance and participation. Letter grades are not assigned until the day I submit grades to the registrar. What I do is to look at the point distribution for the entire class, look for natural break points in that distribution, and assign grades accordingly. As the class progresses, I will hand out point distributions at various times, so that students can gauge their performance relative to their peers and see where the break points appear at that particular time. Students should keep in mind that the points set aside for class attendance and participation are not added until the day I submit grades to the registrar, and thus students who choose not to attend or participate in class may need to do better on all other assignments to compensate for their choice. A note about the Assignments All reading and score study assignments are to be completed by the class hour on the day listed, regardless of any changes in topics. Quizzes, exams, and assignments similarly are due in class on the day listed. Office Hours My office is in Slosberg Room 210. Regular office hours are Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:15-12:30. While I hope to be in my office during these times, it is best to contact me via email before you drop by. If you cannot meet during these times, we can schedule an appointment that is mutually convenient. I will answer your email in as timely a fashion as I can. And I encourage you to seek me out if you are having difficulty, or if you just want to talk. I am looking forward to learning with you.
Music 113a Introduction to Conducting Date Lecture Topic Homework Assignments and Quizzes Week 1 1/13 Course Overview Historical Overview 1/14 Metric Organization Basic beat patterns Week 2 1/18 NO CLASS: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY 1/20 Introduction to Chironomy Transcribe plainchaint distributed on January 14 1/21 Chironomy (continued) Week 3 1/25 Score Study 1. 1/27 Preparatory and concluding gestures 1/28 Contrapuntal Texture I (duet) Score Study 1 chart due Week 4 2/1 Score Study 2. 2/3 Basic gestural technique 2/4 Rehearsal Technique I Score Study 2 chart due
2/8 Score Study 3. Week 5 2/10 ACDA Conference: Boston Sheraton 2/11 Week 6 2/22 Score Study 4. Rehearsal Observation #1 Due 2/24 The Left Hand 2/25 Rehearsal Technique 2 Score Study 4 chart due Week 7 2/29 Score Study 5. 3/2 Expressive Gestures 3/3 Midterm Examination 3/7 Score Study 5: 3/9 Cueing Week 8 3/10 Responsibility of Conductor and Ensemble Musicians Score Study 5 chart due Week 9 3/14 Score Study 6: Clefs and transpositions 3/16 Fermatas, holds, and changing tempi 3/17 Rehearsal Structure Score Study 6 chart due Week 10 3/21 Score Study 7: Choral score introduction Rehearsal Observation #2 Due 3/23 Conducting compound meters 3/24 The Choral Instrument Score Study 7 chart due Week 11 3/28 NO CLASS 3/30 Final Conducting Assignments 3/31 Mechanics of the Orchestral Score
4/4 Score Study 8: Orchestral scores 4/6 Accents and Syncopation Week 12 4/7 Renaissance and Baroque Stylistic Considerations 4/11 Classical and Romantic Stylistic Considerations 4/13 Beethoven Symphony 1 Week 13 4/14 Beethoven Symphony 1 University Chorus Conducting Session: Final Conducting Exam Week 14 4/18 Beethoven Symphony 1 4/20 Beethoven Symphony 1 4/21 NO CLASS (Friday schedule) NO CLASS: 4/22-4/29 Week 15 5/2 FINAL CLASS