MU 201-01, Musicianship III, Syllabus, 3 credits [last updated: fall 2007]

David B. McGrew – Assistant Professor

Contact: 570.585.9298 (office ext.) – dmcgrew@bbc.edu

A study of music theory and composition in the western tradition from the seventeenth through the eighteenth centuries. After discussing selected writings concerning theory and composition and after studying representative works, the student will compose vocal and instrumental pieces in the form and style of each period studied. Prerequisite: MU102 or permission of the instructor. [This description from the forthcoming 2007–09 College Catalogue]  

Three Major Eras for Study:

1.      Renaissance Vocal

2.      Baroque Instrumental

3.      Classical Instrumental

Our Goal: understand the music in each major era from three perspectives:

1.      The perspective of the composers: LEARN THEIR COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES

2.      The perspective of an appreciative audience member: GAIN A HISTORICAL APPRECIATION

3.      The Implications of each era of music upon the next: TRACE THE LINEAGE OF WESTERN MUSIC 

(C = Cognitive domain, A= Affective domain, and P = Psychomotor domain)

1.      General (C)  RECALL and IDENTIFY elements and forms from each era studied

1.1.   Specific (C) Recall the unique polyphonic textures and structural forms

1.2.   Specific (C) Identify parts of pieces in light of the overall structure

2.      General (P) PERFORM and CREATE excerpts representative of each era studied

2.1.   Specific (P) Perform part of a piece for each unit—singing and at the piano

2.2.   Specific (P) Create an invention, fugue exposition, and theme with variations

3.      General (A) APPRECIATE and ENGAGE with the music studied from each era

3.1 Specific (A) Appreciate each era through focused listening and discussion

3.2  Specific (A) Engage in further listening and performance experiences  

Benward, Bruce, and Marilyn Saker. Music in Theory and Practice. Vol. 2 7th edition.

Burkhart, Charles. Anthology for Musical Analysis. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Group / Thomson Learning (Schirmer), 2004. 603 p.

Please note the institutional policies that govern academic integrity, class attendance, absence appeals, and instructional accommodations as delineated in the Student Handbook (available in the Office of Student Development). All students are responsible to keep track of their own class cuts / absences.  This includes both the date of each individual cut as well as the reason. At the end of the semester, the student will have an opportunity to appeal cuts if they exceed the allowable limit. Without complete information, the appeal will be denied. As a courtesy to the financial investment and commitment of time made by each class member, please completely turn off all cell phones, pagers, etc. before entering the classroom. “Late work is dead work.” Unless serious circumstances have made it impossible all homework must be handed in on time for credit to be given. 

A = 95-100%

A- = 92.5-94.9%

B+ = 90-92.4%                                                                  

B = 87.5-89.9%                                       

B- = 85-87.4%

C+ = 82.5-84.9%

C = 80-82.4% 

C- = 77.5-79.9%

D+ = 75-77.4%

D = 72.5-74.9% 

D- = 70-72.4% 

F = below 70%