Professor: Dr.
Scott L. Miller (PAC 222; 308-3291; slmiller@stcloudstate.edu)
Credit
Hours: 1 cr.
Attendance:
Mandatory
Office hours
TEXT AND MATERIALS
Recommended texts: Music Notation in
the 20th Century, by Kurt Stone or Gardner Read’s Music Notation: A Manual of Modern Practice. All written materials must be submitted
as a Finale file or handed in printed from a computer music notation program
(as directed by the professor) according to the standards outlined in the SCSU
Music Notation Guidelines. Handwritten
work will not be accepted, with the exception of specified exercises.
Finale 2010 is available on
all open-lab computers (Mac and Windows) on the SCSU campus. If you choose to
do your work with a music notation program other than Finale 2010, understand
that:
· you cannot receive technical support
or advice from the instructor on that program,
· you will be held to the same
standards of notation as expected from users of Finale 2010, and
· you will be expected to submit files
in Finale 2010 format when class assignments direct that.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student will learn
about the compositional process as it pertains to the music of others, and
discover within themselves their own compositional abilities. This is achieved
through the examination of extant works, by discussing student progress and
work, by discussing other students' work in a seminar atmosphere, and by
writing as much music as often as possible.
ASSESSMENT
There will be periodic
composition assignments, to be handed in at the beginning of the studio class
period it is due. NO late assignments will be accepted.
There will be assigned
listenings assessed by 2 listening exams. The student will be responsible for
knowing the correct name/spelling of the composition, movement, composer, date
of composition, ensemble/instrumentation, and will also be responsible for
gathering and knowing information about the historical/stylistic significance
of the composer and the composition. Recordings are available in the MUSM 301
Composition folder as part of the Classical Music Library here: http://research.stcloudstate.edu/rqs.phtml?subject_id=70
- m8. There will be one exam mid-semester and one exam at the end of the
semester.
Each student's primary assignment
for the semester will be to compose an entire work or performable portion of a
work (such as a movement). This work must be in professional manuscript form
and must be prepared using notation software. Each student is responsible for
securing performers and establishing a rehearsal schedule for the primary
assignment. Each work will be performed at an end of semester concert, dates
and times TBA,
Gant Recital Hall.
Student compositions will
be written for instrumentation approved on an individual basis by the
instructor.
Studio classes will be devoted
to examining and discussing composition assignments, individual student
works-in-progress, recordings of music and relevant topics of interest. There
will occasionally be guest composers in town, and attendance at events they are
involved in is mandatory and factored into the general class participation
grade.
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Students pursuing the Bachelor
of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Theory/Composition or in New Media will
take a minimum of 2 semesters of MUSM 301 Composition. During this period of
study, the student will:
· Complete a minimum of two (2)
original compositions of 3+ minutes duration for any acoustic instrument(s);
· Demonstrate an understanding of how
to compose idiomatically for various instruments;
· Demonstrate an intermediate ability
to develop motivic material in a formal structure;
· Demonstrate an intermediate ability
to create tension and repose within a formal structure;
· Demonstrate the ability to create
scores and parts that meet professional standards;
· Demonstrate the ability to work in a
professional manner with performers who perform his/her compositions, and
· Coordinate rehearsed performances of
his/her compositions.
During the advising and
registration period of the second semester of MUSM 301 study, the student will
complete a formal interview with the composition faculty before receiving
permission to register for MUSM 401. The student
will be advised to take another semester of MUSM 301 if the above proficiencies
have not been satisfactorily met.
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IMPORTANT DATES
27 January Identify
performers of your primary composition assignment
15 March Listening
Exam 1
31 March Primary
composition Score due
28 April Listening Exam 2
28 April Revised
Primary composition Score due
23 April Concert
of student works at Convocation (Gant RH, 12 noon)
COURSE GRADE
Your grade will be
calculated based on the timely and competent completion of the periodic
assignments (25%), general class participation including rehearsing and
successfully presenting your primary composition (25%), listening exams (25%),
and completion of the primary composition assignment [including preparation of
the score and parts in acceptable manuscript format] (25%).
ABSENCE
Information is addressed in
the studio classes not available outside of class. Class absences will be taken
into consideration when assessing the general class contribution component of
the course grade. Each absence is worth 5% of the final grade.
INCOMPLETES
Incompletes are awarded
only when a calamity or major illness prevents you from completing the term's work
on time, and will be awarded only if you have a reasonable prospect for passing
the course (based on your record at the time you request an Inc.). If you
receive an Incomplete, you must prepare on your own any missed assignments or
quizzes, and MUST FULFILL THE INCOMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER. If you do not
fulfill the Incomplete within one quarter, you will automatically receive an F
grade for the course. None of the scores you earned prior to the Incomplete
will be erased, and will count towards your fulfillment of the Incomplete.
© 2010 Scott L. Miller