SYLLABUS FOR ACCOMPANYING CLASS (MUSC 2365) SPRING SEMESTER 2002
FRIDAYS AT 12:00/1:00, C-125
TEXTBOOK: The Art of Accompanying (Spillman -- xeroxed copies will be provided; referred to below as AofA)
Grading: 70% class presentations, including written assignments,
15% attendance, 15% final exam
JANUARY 18
Presentations and performances by faculty and graduate students
Assignment:
1. Find (your own
search) a recording of a classical singer and pianist in our library and
listen to it, noting the following points: degree of difficulty of
the piano parts; coordination of timing; coordination of interpretation.
2. Find a singer
and choose with her or him a song in English to present next week in class.
Rehearse this song at least twice before the class on the 25th. At
that time be prepared to tell the class about the composer, poet, and your
interpretation of the song. There will be a sign-up sheet on my door
(C194) so that your guest doesn't have to come for the entire class; you,
however, should.
Reading: Unit 1 (Introduction) from AofA
JANUARY 25
Presentations of songs in English.
Assignment:
1. Attend the recital
of Professors Peterson and Stewart on the 29th.
2. Repeat assignment
#2 from last week, but with a song in German from Units 2 or 3 (Brahms
or Schumann). Rehearse it at least twice with the singer. Be
prepared with information about composer, poet, and interpretation,
and
also a translation of the poem.
Reading: Units 2 and 3 from AofA
FEBRUARY 1
Presentations of Brahms and Schumann songs.
Assignment:
1. Choose a vocal
recital (there are several this month) to attend; write a three-paragraph
report covering 1) repertoire, 2) rapport between singer and accompanist,
and 3) high points of the performance.
2. Spend two more
sessions with your singer (or a different one) reading several pieces that
they are working on. Choose a new one to present in class on the
8th.
FEBRUARY 8
Presentations of new songs.
Assignment:
1. Find (your own
search) a recording of a string player plus pianist in our library and
listen to it, noting the same points as on January 18.
2. Find a wind
player and choose with him or her a short piece or movement to present
next week in class. Rehearse this piece at least twice before the
class on the 15th. Be prepared to tell the class about the composer,
the instrument the guest will be playing, and the particular balance problems
of playing with that instrument.
Reading: Unit 4 from AofA
FEBRUARY 15
Presentations of pieces with wind instruments.
Assignment:
1. Go to Professor
Walters and Pagan's recital on the 19th.
2. Rehearse a different
movement or short piece with a wind player (It can be the same person you
brought on 2/15.)
When presenting it in class on February 23rd, be prepared to talk
about:
1) whether the instrument
is conical or cylindrical;
2) what effect this has
on the overtones and fingering of the instrument;
3) how tone is produced
on the instrument;
4) how difference in
pitch is produced on the instrument.
FEBRUARY 22
Presentation of the new pieces with wind instruments.
Assignment:
Preparation of a Beethoven Sonata Movement from Unit 4.
Reading: Unit 4 from AofA
MARCH 1
Come to Room E160 and observe the Don Giovanni orchestra rehearsal.
Assignment:
1. Spend at least
one hour playing music with a friend.
2. No new piece
for next week; keep learning the Beethoven.
MARCH 8
Presentation of the Beethoven Sonata Movement.
Assignment:
Find a string player and choose a movement to practice and present to the class on March 15.Be prepared to discuss the composer, the difficulties associated with playing with strings, and the features of your guest's instrument.
MARCH 15
Presentations of string pieces.
Assignment:
Attend the faculty recital on March 19.
MARCH 22
No class.
APRIL 5
This class will give you a chance to complete old assignments. Bring in the song or instrumental piece you still owe and perform it in class. The Beethoven violinist will be there at 1:00.
Assignment:
1. Learn one of the French
songs from Unit 7 in AofA.
2. There are dozens of
student recitals in April. choose one to attend which will use a
piano accompanist, and write a review, to be handed in by April 26.
APRIL 12
Performances of the French song.
Assignment: Practice a Brahms sonata movement, the music for which will be handed out in class.
APRIL 19
Performances of the Brahms movement.
Assignment: Find a singer or instrumentalist who will be willing to join us the morning of May 7 for the final class recital, and rehearse with them.
Assignment: Attend the Gershwin Brown Bag in the Music Theatre 12:00 noon April 23 .
Assignment: Practice one of the Schubert songs from Unit 13 of AofA.
APRIL 26
Performances of the Schubert song.
MAY 3
Surprise class!
MAY 7 (FINAL EXAM)
Class Recital from 9:00 to 10:00 AM