Musc 115

Sight-singing and Dictation

Term: Fall 2006

Instructor: Dr. Christopher Swanson

Office: Wygal 226

Office Phone: (434) 395-2496

Email: swansoncl@longwood.edu

Class Meeting Time & Place:

Section 1: 9:00-9:50am, 233 Wygal

Section 2: 10:00-10:50am, 233 Wygal

Office hour:

Tuesday, 2:00-3:00

Course Catalogue Description:

“Ear training through sightsinging and dictation. 2 periods; 1 credit each semester. Must be taken concurrently with MUSC 113 [Theory of Music].”

Textbook:

Melodia: A Course in Sight-Singing Solfeggio by Samuel Cole and Leo R. Lewis. Complete books 1-4. Oliver Ditson Company, Theodore Presser Company.

Other required materials:

Three-ring binder

Sharpened pencils

Lots of manuscript paper.

Course objectives:

Use Solfeggio and the moveable-do system to:

Sing simple conjunct, diatonic melodies in all major and minor keys with

a graded presentation of all chromatic tones except flat 2^nd and flat 5^th.

Use aural skills to:

Notate rhythmic patterns.

Notate simple conjunct, diatonic melodies.

Course Content Outline:

In each class we will go through several exercises, singing, discussing, copying, and listening.

Course Requirements:

· Attend all classes and actively participate in each class period.

· Complete and hand-in assignments on-time. Assignments handed in after the due date will receive a failing grade

· Study and practice your skills outside of class.

Grading Policy:

At the end of each semester, students will receive a letter grade that reflects their participation, achievement, ability and improvement. Students will receive participation grades on each day that class is scheduled, excluding days on which we take tests. To receive the points, pay attention, do the work you are asked to do, sing when you are asked to sing and, most importantly, come to class. If students miss classes without an excuse, they will not earn the points (see ATTENDANCE POLICY for definition of excused absence).

There are 1000 possible points in the semester:

4 tests 4 x 100 400

1 exam 1 x 200 200

6 quizzes 6 x 50 300

4 short assignments 4 x 25 100

_____

1000

Letter grades are broken down as follows:

1000 – 901 A

900 - 801 B

800 - 701 C

700 – below F

IMPORTANT: This class is centered on learning and developing a skill. Students must demonstrate to the instructor that they have sufficient ability in Sightsinging and Dictation in order to pass this class – regardless of the grade earned. This is at the absolute discretion of the instructor.

Tests: 4 tests throughout the semester. These will involve singing, dictation and short answer questions. The topics covered in each test is specified on the schedule.

Exam: 1 exam at the end of the term. This will be a cumulative test and will involve singing, dictation and short answer questions.

Quizzes: 6 quizzes throughout the semester. These will involve singing, dictation and short answer questions. The quizzes may cover any material before the day of the test and any material specified for that particular day.

4 Assignments:

Assignment 1, 2, 3: Each student will be assigned a melody from the text book to

instruct to the class. Each student will have between 5 and 10 minutes to teach the class to sing the melody. Students may design their own teaching strategies but it is suggested that all students speak with Dr. Swanson before the due date. You will be graded on organization, clarity, time efficiency, success in teaching the melody to the class and your preparation.

Assignment 4. For each of the twelve intervals (m2, M2, m3, M3, P4, aug4, P5, aug5, M6, m7, M7 and P8) identify a piece of music that uses it melodically. The music should be selected from the classical repertoire written for your instrument. You will turn in a list of 12 pieces of music with the interval illustrated in the context of a melody.

Attendance Policy:

Longwood University attendance policy: “Instructors may assign a grade of "0" or "F" on work missed because of unexcused absences. Instructors have the right to lower a student's course grade, but no more than one letter grade, if the student misses 10 percent of the scheduled class meeting times for unexcused absences. Instructors have the right to assign a course grade of "F" when the student has missed a total (excused and unexcused) of 25 percent of the scheduled class meeting times.”
 You are expected to attend all classes. Daily in-class assignments, quizzes and tests cannot be made up for unexcused absences; students will receive 0 points for such. Assignments, quizzes and tests grades can be made up for excused absences, but it is the student’s responsibility to find out what they need to do to make up the work. 

Students must assume full responsibility for any loss incurred because of absence, whether excused or unexcused. Students are permitted to make up work when the absence is excused. Excused absences are those resulting from the student’s participation in a university sponsored activity, from recognizable emergencies or from serious illness. Students must provide the instructor with documentation for excused absences. Student Health Services can provide the necessary documentation if a student is to be hospitalized locally or if the student is to be absent from class at the direction of the Student Health Services personnel. Such documentation must be given to the instructor no later than twenty-four hours after the absence.

Honor Code Statement:

“We will not lie, cheat, steal or plagiarize, nor will we tolerate those who do.”

“I, having a clear understanding of the basis and spirit of the Honor Code created and accepted by the students of Longwood, Farmville, Virginia, pledge myself to govern my life at Longwood according to its standards and to accept my responsibility for helping others to do so, and with sensitive regard for my institution, to live by the Honor Code at all times and to see that others do likewise.”

Statement from Disabilities Support Service:

Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability should contact me privately. If you have not already done so, please contact the Office for Disability Services  (103 Graham Building, 395-2391) to register for services.

A List of Some of the Concerts going on at Longwood (and in the area) this Semester: 
· Sept. 16 - Chamber Series, Mardirossian and Phillips, violin and piano, , Molnar Hall, 7:30
· Sept. 25 – Faculty Saxophone Recital, Dr. Charles Kinzer and Dr. Lisa Kinzer, Molnar Hall, 7:30
· Oct. 7 – Faculty Voice Recital, Dr. Christopher Swanson and Dr. Lisa Kinzer, Buckingham Art Center, 7:00
· Oct. 10 – Faculty Voice Recital, Dr. Christopher Swanson and Dr. James Kidd, Hampden Sydney College, Crawley Forum, 7:30
· Oct. 25 - LU Wind Symphony, Jarman theatre, 7:30 pm.
· Oct. 30 - Washington Saxophone Quartet, Molnar Hall, 7:30 pm.
· Nov. 2 - LU Choral ensembles, Molnar Hall, 7:30 pm.
· Nov. 4 - Nathan Koch, senior recital (sax) - Molnar Hall, 7:30 pm.
· Nov. 10 - Tiffany Graves, senior recital (voice) Molnar Hall, 7:30 pm.
· Nov. 11 - Beth Reynolds, senior recital (voice) Molnar Hall 7:30 pm.
· Nov. 21 – Masterclass with Countertenor Michael Harper - Molnar Hall, 3:30 pm.
· Nov. 28 – Guest Artist Recital, Countertenor Michael Harper with Dr. Christopher Swanson and Dr. Lisa Kinzer, Hampden Sydney College, Crawley Forum,7:30 pm.
· Nov. 30 – Advent Lessons and Carols Service, Johns Memorial Episcopal Church, 7:00 pm.
· Dec. 3 – Messiah, Commonwealth Chorale, 4:00 pm.
All dates and times are subject to change. 
Check the Department of Music web-site frequently for new dates. Also, look out for fliers and posters around the music building.

Class Schedule:

The schedule of the class over the semester will, for the most part, follow the same basic schedule of topics covered in Theory of Music (MUSC 113) and Class Piano (MUSC 163). The three classes will support one another and will form a strong basis for your music education (subject to change).

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

		Topics	Quizzes/Tests
Week 1.	Mon. Aug. 28	Introduction The text book Syllabus Rhythm Solfegge syllables Beating time Assignment 1
	Wed. Aug. 30	Rhythm Solfegge syllables Beating time
Week 2	Mon. Sept. 4	Labor Day University Closed
	Wed. Sept. 6	Melodia: Series 1: #1-45 Key: C major Time: C and 3/4 Rhythms: whole, half, dotted half and quarter notes Clef: treble clef
Week 3	Mon. Sept. 11	Melodia: Series 1: #46-108 Series 2 [p. 21]: #1-30 Key: C major Time: 2/4, 2/2, 4/2, 3/2, 4/8, 3/8, 6/8 Rhythms: whole, half, dotted half, quarter, dotted quarter, eighth notes and ties	Quiz 1
	Wed. Sept 13	No Class – Dr. Swanson out of town
Week 4	Mon. Sept. 18	Melodia: Series 1: #109-147 Series 2: #31-44 Key: G and F major	Quiz 2
	Wed. Sept. 20		Test 1
Week 5	Mon. Sept. 25	Melodia: Series 1: #148-187 Series 2: #45-56 Key: D and B flat major Rhythm: sixteenth notes
	Wed. Sept. 27	Melodia: Series 1: #188-225 Series 2: #1-56 (review) Key: C, G, F, D and B flat major Clef: Bass clef	Quiz 3
Week 6	Mon. Oct. 2 Mid-Terms	Series 1: #226-265 Series 2: #57-67 Key: E flat and A major
	Wed. Oct. 4		Test 2
Week 7	Mon. Oct. 9 Grade Estimates due today	Series 1: #266-303 Series 2: # 68-79 Key: E and A flat major	No class
	Wed. Oct. 11	Series 1: #304-343 Series 2: #80-88 Key: B major and D flat major	Assignment 1
Week 8	Mon. Oct. 16	Fall Break University closed
	Wed. Oct. 18	Series 1: #344-390 Series 2: #89 Key: C major
Week 9	Mon. Oct. 23	Series 3 [p. 41]: #1-12 Chromatic notes Fa/fi (raised 4^th)	Quiz 4
	Wed. Oct. 25	Series 3: #13-38 Chromatic notes Fa/fi
Week 10	Mon. Oct. 30	Series 3: #39-53 Chromatic notes Fa/fi Ti/te (lowered 7^th)	Assignment 2
	Wed. Nov. 1	Series 3: #54-74 Chromatic notes Fa/fi Ti/te
Week 11	Mon. Nov. 6		Test 3 Will include series 3 (#1-74)
	Wed. Nov. 8	Series 3: #75-106 Chromatic notes Fa/fi Ti/te Sol/si (raised 5^th) do/di (raised 1^st) minor scales
Week 12	Mon. Nov. 13	Series 3: #75-106 Chromatic notes Fa/fi Ti/te Sol/si do/di minor scales	Assignment 3
	Wed. Nov. 15	Series 3: #107-137 Chromatic notes Fa/fi Ti/te Sol/si do/di minor scales
Week 13	Mon. Nov 20	Series 3: #107-137 Chromatic notes Fa/fi Ti/te Sol/si do/di minor scales	Quiz 5
	Wed. Nov. 22	Thanksgiving Break University Closed
Week 14	Mon. Nov. 27	Series 3: #138-198 Chromatic notes Fa/fi Ti/te Sol/si do/di mi/me (lowered 3^rd) re/ri (raised 2^nd) minor scales	Quiz 6
	Wed. Nov. 29		Test 4 Will include series 3 (#75-239)
Week 15	Mon. Dec. 4	Review	Assignment 4 due at the beginning of class
	Wed. Dec. 6	Review
Final Exam: Section I: TBA Section II: TBA