Course Syllabus
Music 322 Conducting 2
Class no. 4107
Winter 2013
Instructor: Leonard Enns, CGC Rm. 2116 (tel. 885-0220 x24246)
Class Schedule: 11:30 – 12:50 Tue & Thu, Room 1302
Conrad Grebel University College
Description:
Music 222 and 322 are designed for students interested in developing the necessary skills
for leading choral rehearsals and performances. In Music 222 you have studied basic
conducting technique and have done some score study.
This term, in Music 322, we will continue our work by concentrating on:
• refining the conducting techniques introduced in Music 222
• developing more expressive conducting techniques
• studying rehearsal procedure
• developing further techniques for score study
• learning to understand the choral instrument
• developing concert planning and conducting skills
The approach will remain largely practical, with the objective of having each student do
some conducting at least once a week. Regular reading, score study, and video study
assignments will be given, and written assignments will also be required as outlined on
the reverse of this sheet. An effort will be made to involve conducting students in the
rehearsals of the Departmental choral ensembles and in other ways when this is
appropriate and practical. You will observe and evaluate rehearsals and performances of
professional conductors in the community as part of your learning experience as well.
Prerequisite: Music 222 (or consent of instructor)
Required:
•participation in one of the choral ensembles of the Music Department (exceptions must be
cleared with the instructor). Contact the Music Office for audition schedules (x24226).
Information for all ensembles is also at https://uwaterloo.ca/music/ensembles
Course Resources:
Text: occasional hand-outs & music scores (modest cost); available in class
At Rehearsals: (Margaret Hillis) free download from
http://www.choralsocietysocal.com/Images/In%20Rehearsal.pdf
Tickets: you will need to buy tickets for three concerts:
1) You will attend and report on one rehearsal and choral concert during the term,
and will be responsible to pay for your own ticket. Details provided in class.
2) We will also attend another concert as a class "field trip". Ticket purchase required.
3) You are required to attend the DaCapo Chamber Choir concert on either Saturday
evening, 2 March, or Sunday afternoon, 3 March. You will be responsible to pay
for your own ticket ($15).
Workload:
• Regular class assignments
25%
In-class conducting, score and video study and readings. Because of the practical nature
of the course, regular class attendance and participation is very important.
Note: Because of the above, beginning on 29 January you are allowed only two class absences without
penalty. Beyond that, each class missed (or largely missed) will carry a penalty of 2% from your final
grade (exceptions such as absences for emergencies or medical reasons will need appropriate written
authorization).
• Score analysis
due 14 February 15%
Analysis of an assigned choral work that you will prepare for class conducting.
Guidelines will be provided in class. Length: approx. 1000 words, plus a copy of your
marked score.
•Choral Concert Project (in three parts, see below)
1) one page program draft (rep & rationale) due 07 March (required; no grade)
2) rehearsal plans for the concert
due 14 March 10%
including: •a detailed schedule of rehearsals for the season
•a detailed rehearsal plan for the first rehearsal only
3) A complete concert program booklet
due 28 March 20%
Include program notes, translations and all the normal information. The repertoire is to be
chosen with programmatic logic in mind, should represent at least three distinct historical style
periods, and must include choral works in three different languages. An accompanying essay
(separate from the "public" program, 500 words maximum) will support your choice and order of
repertoire.
• Conducting Report
due 12 April
10%
Based on your observations of one choral concert and one rehearsal for it.
You are required to attend one rehearsal and the performance, as approved by
your professor. The report should be approximately 1000 words in length. In it you will
comment on the rehearsal and conducting techniques of the conductor, and make critical
observations about the concert program (theme, integrity, flow, etc.). It is your
responsibility to provide a well written, formal report, and to present a clean, accurate,
computer printed or typewritten copy of your paper. Information and rehearsal schedules
will be provided in class.
• Final exam
04 April
20%
(this may take the form of a class recital during the final class period , depending on the
size and ability of our class).
Course Content: much of our time will be taken up with practical work; additionally, these are
the theoretical aspects we will deal with this term:
week 1: Technique 1 (review)
week 7: Case in Point: DaCapo Concert
week 2: Score analysis 1
week 8: Choral issues 1
week 3: Concert Planning
week 9: Choral issues 2
week 4: Rehearsal planning (At Rehearsals)
week 10: Final prep
week 5: Score analysis 2
week 11: Final prep
week 6: Technique 2 (James Jordan videos)
week 12: Final prep
Resources:
In-class handouts
Videos on reserve, CGUC library:
The Choral Rehearsal – James Jordan
The anatomy of conducting – James Jordan; Eugene Corporon
Achieving Choral Blend – Weston Noble
Music Scores: CGUC Choral Library (see Claudia in the Music Office for access)
For Purchase: Music Plus is a good store (519 745-8530)
UW academic policy information
Academic Integrity: In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the
University of Waterloo are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and
responsibility.
Discipline: A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid
committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is
unsure whether an action constitutes an offence, or who needs help in learning how to avoid
offences (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about “rules” for group work/collaboration should seek
guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the Undergraduate Associate Dean.
When misconduct has been found to have occurred, disciplinary penalties will be imposed
under Policy 71 – Student Discipline. For information on categories of offenses and types of
penalties, students should refer to Policy 71 - Student Discipline,
http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy71.htm
Grievance: A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university
life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70
- Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4,
http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy70.htm
Appeals: A student may appeal the finding and/or penalty in a decision made under Policy 70 Student Petitions and Grievances (other than regarding a petition) or Policy 71 - Student
Discipline if a ground for an appeal can be established. Read Policy 72 - Student Appeals,
http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy72.htm
Academic Integrity website (Arts):
http://arts.uwaterloo.ca/arts/ugrad/academic_responsibility.html
Academic Integrity Office (UW): http://uwaterloo.ca/academicintegrity/