SYLLABUS: MUSC 4101-001

GRADUATE THEORY REVIEW

SPRING 2009

Instructor: John Drumheller

Class times: 10:00 - 10:50 Monday, Wednesday room N1B59

Office Hours: 9:00 - 10:00 Monday, Wednesday or by appointment

Office: N1B28B

Phone: (303)735-0272

E-mail: drumhell@stripe.colorado.edu

Web: http://stripe.Colorado.EDU/~drumhell/home.html

Textbooks:

Kostka, Stephan and Dorothy Payne. Tonal Harmony with an Introduction to Twentieth Century Music. Sixth Edition. McGraw-Hill Inc., 2009.

Materials:

Manuscript paper, pencil, eraser.

A knowledge of the fundamentals of music -- scales, rhythms, melody, harmony -- is absolutely necessary for developing musical literacy. In addition, the awareness of how music is put together informs and improves our performing, practicing, and listening strategies. (Obviously, meaningful composition is impossible without these skills.) This knowledge and experience allows each of us to engage music on a deeper level. We’ll spend the year addressing those elements that can enhance our musicianship. While most of the music we will study comes from the period of composition between ca. 1700-1900 (the “common practice period”), the same elements of harmony provide the constituent components for many other types of music, including rock and jazz.

This is course is designed as a review of tonal harmony focusing on those elements of chromaticism that are covered in the third semester of a four semester undergraduate core theory course. We will cover chapters 16 - 24 of the textbook, devoting about three classes per chapter. Elements to be covered include chromatic harmony and voice leading, as well as musical form and performance. A general working knowledge of the first fifteen chapters in the text will be assumed. If you feel you are weak on this material, either brush up (if you are rusty), or see me (if you are confused). Please do not hesitate to see me or one of the theory TAs if you need help. Plan on spending at least 30 minutes a day reading and reviewing the material: since the material is cumulative it is important that you do not get behind.

4101 Spring 2009

Grading:

Homework = 45%

Homework will be assigned once a week and will be due at the beginning of class. No late work will be accepted. If you are going to be absent the on a day when an assignment is due, make arrangements to have the work turned in by someone else, a friend, perhaps. If you are feeling confused or lost, please make an appointment to see me or one of the TAs.

Exams = 45%

There will be four tests, including the final. All four exams will take place during class times on the following dates:

Test #1: Wednesday 2/9; #2 Wednesday 3/9; #3 Wednesday 4/13; #4 TBA

Make sure to be in class during these times. No make-ups will be given unless arranged at the beginning of the semester.

Class Participation/attendance = 10%

Attendance will be taken each class session. More than three absences will lower your grade by a partial letter (A becomes A-, etc.) and your absence record will be reported to the undergraduate dean. If you miss a class, make sure to get the material from a classmate. If you become seriously ill or have a personal emergency, stay in touch to make the necessary arrangements.

LEGAL STUFF:

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services (DS) early in the semester so that your needs may be addressed. DS determines accommodations based on documented disabilities (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/sacs/disabilityservices)

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be made for those students who have conflicts between religious observance dates and course examinations and assignments. Please see me at the beginning of the semester to discuss any potential problems. (www.colorado.edu/policies/index.html)

Also, be aware of the classroom behavior policy (see previous URL) and student honor code.

(www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/)

SEMESTER SCHEDULE 5th ed. Spring 2009

1/12 Kostka and Payne Ch 16. Read pp. 245-261*.

1/14 Homework: Worksheet 1 HOMEWORK 1 DUE WEDNESDAY 1/21.

1/21 Homework due. Kostka and Payne Ch. 17Read pp. 263-287.

1/26 Homework: Worksheet 2 HOMEWORK 2 DUE WEDNESDAY 1/28

1/28 Homework due. Kostka and Payne Ch. 18. Read pp. 289-303.

2/2 Homework: Worksheet 3 HOMEWORK 3 DUE WEDNESDAY 2/4

2/4 Review for test #1

2/9 Test #1. ______________________________________________________________________________________

2/11 Kostka and Payne Ch. 19. Read pp. 305-321

2/16 Homework: Worksheet 4 HOMEWORK 4 DUE WEDNESDAY 2/18

2/18 Homework due.

2/23 Kostka and Payne Ch. 20. Read pp. 323-332.

2/25 Homework: Worksheet 5 pp. 187, 188, 189, 190. HOMEWORK 5 DUE MONDAY 3/2

3/2 Homework due. Read pp. 332-339.

3/4 Homework: Worksheet 6 HOMEWORK 6 DUE MONDAY 3/10

3/9 Test #2.

______________________________________________________________________________________

3/11 Chapter 21. Read pp. 343-349

3/16 Read pp. 350-358. Homework: Worksheet 7 HOMEWORK 7 DUE WEDNESDAY 3/18

3/18 Homework due.

3/23 – 3/27 SPRING BREAK!

3/30 Chapter 22. Read pp. 359-362. Homework: worksheet 8 HOMEWORK 8 DUE WEDNEDAY 4/1

4/1 Homework due. Read pp. 362-366

4/6 Read pp. 359-371. Homework: Worksheet 9 HOMEWORK 9 DUE WEDNESDAY 4/8

4/8 Homework due. Review for test #3

4/13 Test #3.

______________________________________________________________________________________

4/15 Chapter 23. Read pp. 373-380

4/20 Read pp. 380-382. Homework: Worksheet 10 HOMEWORK 10 DUE WEDNESDAY 4/22

4/22 Homework due. Read pp. 382-388

4/27 Chapter 24. Read pp. 389-399. Homework: Worksheet 11 HOMEWORK 11 DUE WEDNESDAY 4/29

4/29 Homework due. Review for test 4

Test #4 - TBA

*Page numbers may differ