Musc 436

Vocal Literature

Term: Spring 2005

Instructor: Dr. Christopher Swanson

Office: Wygal 226

Office Phone: (434) 395-2496

Email: swansoncl@longwood.edu

Class Meeting Time & Place:

Thursday, 2-4pm

226 WYG

Office hour:

Wednesday, 11am – 12:00.

Course Catalogue Description:

“Study of the literature of the voice through performance and listening. 2 periods. 2 credits.”

Textbook:

A History of Song, revised edition, ed. Denis Stevens. W. W. Norton and

Company: New York, 1970.

Other suggested materials and resources:

The Fischer-Diskau Book of Lieder, chosen and introduced by Dietrich Fischer Diskau. Limelight

Editions: New York, 1995.

The Interpretation of French Song, Pierre Bernac. W. W. Norton: New York, 1978.

On-line sources:

www.ipasource.com

www.recmusic.org/lieder/

www.grovemusic.com

www.naxosmusiclibrary.com

Course objectives:

To gain an appreciation and understanding of the development of the Artsong in Western society,

esp. in Germany, France, England, America and Russia.

Course Content Outline:

Each class period will be devoted to a specific part of the repertory or a specific work. We will

Listen to recordings, discuss poetry, do research, analyze songs, and have discussions.

Course Requirements:

You are required to attend all classes and to actively participate in each class.

You are required to complete and hand-in assignments on-time.

(Assignments handed in after the due date will receive a failing grade. I

will be happy to grade (though not for credit) and go over late assignments with you)

You are expected to study and listen outside of class.

You may be asked to be prepared to sing a song or recite a poem for the class.

Grading Policy:

At the end of each semester, you will receive a letter grade that will reflect upon your participation, achievement, ability and improvement.

1 exam	15%
1 opening exam	5%
Participation	40%
Assignments	40%
Total	100%

Grading

100 – 98 97 – 95 94 – 92	A+ A A-	91 – 89 88 – 86 85 – 83	B+ B B-
82 – 80 79 – 77 76 – 74	C+ C C-	73 – 71 70 – 68 67 – 65	D+ D D-
64 – below	F

Attendance Policy:

You are expected to attend all classes. Daily in-class assignments and quizzes cannot be made up for unexcused absences and you will receive an F for such assignments. If you miss a total of 25% of the scheduled classes, excused or unexcused, you will fail the course. This term, 6 class periods constitutes 25%

“Students must assume full responsibility for any loss incurred because of absence, whether excused or unexcused…. Excused absences are those resulting from the student’s participation in a university sponsored activity, from recognizable emergencies, or from serious illness.”

(from the Faculty Manual: Policies and Procedures)

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.

Class Schedule: Subject to change

WEEK	DATE	Topics	Quizzes
Week 1.	Thursday, Jan 20	Introduction Syllabus, explain semester projects, choose repertoire to study	Opening exam
Week 2	Jan 27	German History Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin
Week 3	Feb 3	German Brahms: Four Serious Songs Wolf:
Week 4	Feb 10	German Alex presentation: Schumann: Fraunen liebe –und Leben John: Schumann: Liederkreis, op. 39
Week 5	Feb 17	French History Debussy
Week 6	Feb 24	French Faure, et. al.
Week 7	Mar 3	French Alex: Ravel John: Poulenc, Tel nuit telle jour
Week 8	Mar 10	TBA
Week 9	Mar 17	SPRING BREAK
Week 10	Mar 24	Russian
Week 11	Mar 31	Russian Alex and John: Rachmaninaff Swanson: Mussorgsky, Songs and Dances of Death
Week 12	Apr 7	English
Week 13	Apr 14	English
Week 14	Apr 21	American Rorem, Previn
Week 15	Apr 28		Final exam