Required Texts: Music First.  Gary White (Third Edition)  (This book is bundled with 2 Cassette Tapes. )

Office Hours:

Kevin Dobbe: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00-10:00  (or by appointment) (FH-154)
Phil Burkhart: Tuesday, Thursday, 12:20-13:10  (or by appointment) (FH-154)
Tim Wollenzien: Monday, Wednesday, 10:00-11:00 (or by appointment) (FH-154)

Office Phone #:  624-0093

Kevin Dobbe:  dobb0004@tc.umn.edu
Phil Burkhart: burk0186@tc.umn.edu
Tim Wollenzien: woll0058@tc.umn.edu

There are only  thirty lecture and and ten discussion sessions for each quarter.  Therefore, each session is valuable and attendance will be recorded.  Because many activities are dependent upon being in class, attendance will affect your final grade.  For every three unexcused absences students grade will be lowered by one full grade.  If sessions must be missed, it is the responsibility of the student to contact either the instructor, the T.A., or a members of the class for information on material covered and all related assignments.

Grades will be based upon the standard grading policy ( i.e., 100-90%=A, 89-80%= B, 79-70%= C, 69-60%= D, 59%-below=F).  There will be five major components to final grades: homework (20%), quizzes (20%), tests (30%), philosophy paper (15%), and music project (15%).

Assignment collection dates will be announced for each chapter.  Every text assignment for that chapter shall be completed by the student by the announced date; the instructor will collect, grade and return a select portion of the assignment.

There will be two tests (Midterm and Final).  The tests will count toward 30% of the final grade.  Tests will include both assigned reading and classroom discussions.  On occasion, without any particular announcement, there will be numerous quizzes relative to recent class readings and discussions.

Music Project:

Each student will choose one of the various suggested music projects.  Students should choose the project that seem most interesting

A paper (approximately 2-3 page typed) reflecting your own personal attitude and philosophy on music will be completed.  The paper should reflect the use of and philosophy toward music on an individual and community basis.  Your personal statements should be based on personal feelings, observations, function of music, classroom discussion, readings, and  historical perspective.

Students with special needs are encouraged to contact the instructor to discuss their individual needs for accommodations.

Extra Credit will be given to students who wish to improve their total grade.  A single page paper reviewing any live music concert is an appropriate topic.   See the instructor for other ideas... or suggest your own.

(Students will select one of the three suggested projects below.  If there is another main music project that you would like to consider, please discuss the prospect with the instructor for possible substitution).

A)  Music Concert Review
This 2-3 page typed paper should be a personal reaction to a concert on the Live Concert Selection sheet (see handout).  The paper should focus on a general reaction to the concert in relation to the class readings and discussions.  The student should be able to articulate why the concert was enjoyable, or why it was not enjoyable.  More specific criteria would include: the role of the conductor (if any); the role of the audience; a description of the musical instrumentation; a general reaction to the music performed; a general reaction to the concert hall and audience members.  The live performance should include as many of the full range of instruments as possible (large orchestra preferred).  Content is by far more important than length.

B)  Classroom Music Presentation
This is similar to the Music Concert Review, but the topic is any music of your choice and will be an oral presentation made to the class (as agreed upon between the instructor and the student).  The 3-5 minute talk should include some played examples (CD’s, Cassettes) and/or live performances, historical background and brief discussion as to the selected topics importance.

C)  Music Composition
A written composition of approximately thirty-two measures will be composed by the student.  The composition will include a melody with written accompaniment or Popular-Chord notation.  Additional extra credit is possible if the student chooses to perform the composition for the class.

 Reading and Homework Assignments for Music First, (Third Edition) Gary White

(Homework will be collected at the 8:00am class)

Monday- September 29     Chapter One
Friday-  October 3      Chapter Two
Friday-  October 10      Chapter Three
Wednesday-  October 15     Chapter Four
Wednesday-  October 22     Chapter Five
Wednesday-  October 29     Chapter Six
Friday-  November 7      Chapter Seven
Friday-  November 14      Chapter Eight
Friday-  November 21      Chapter Nine
Monday- December 1      Chapter Ten
Friday-  December 5      Chapter Eleven (discussed but no assignment due).

Required Texts and Supplies:

Music First.  Gary White (Third Edition)  (This book is bundled with 2 Cassette Tapes.)
Practica Musica  Student Computer Disk

Office Hours:

Kevin Dobbe: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 3:30-4:30  (or by appointment) (FH-154)
Phil Burkhart: Tuesday, Thursday, 1:30-2:30  (or by appointment) (FH-154)
Tim Wollenzien: (by appointment) (FH-154)

Office Phone #:  624-0093

Kevin Dobbe:  dobb0004@tc.umn.edu
Denise Grant: gran0257@tc.umn.edu
Tim Wollenzien: woll0058@tc.umn.edu

There are only  twenty-nine lecture and and ten discussion sessions for this quarter.  Therefore, each session is valuable and attendance will be recorded.  Because many activities are dependent upon being in class, attendance will affect your final grade.  For every three absences, that student’s grades will be lowered by one full grade.   It is the responsibility of each student to make sure that they have signed the attendance sheet as it passes through each class.   If sessions must be missed, it is the responsibility of the student to contact either the instructor, the T.A., or a members of the class for information on material covered and all related assignments.

Grades will be based upon the standard grading policy (i.e., 100-90%=A, 89-80%= B, 79-70%= C, 69-60%= D, 59%-below=F).  There will be five major components to final grades: homework (20%), quizzes (20%), tests (30%), philosophy paper (15%), and computer work sheets (15%).

Assignment collection dates will be announced for each chapter.  Every text assignment for that chapter shall be completed by the student by the announced date; the instructor will collect, grade and return a select portion of the assignment.

There will be two tests (Midterm and Final).  The tests will count toward 30% of the final grade.  Tests will include material from both assigned reading and classroom discussions.  On occasion, without any particular announcement, there will be numerous quizzes relative to recent class readings and discussions.

A paper (approximately 2-3 page typed) reflecting your own personal attitude and philosophy on music will be completed.  The paper should reflect the use of and philosophy toward music on an individual and community basis.  Your personal statements should be based on personal feelings, observations, function of music, classroom discussion, readings, and  historical perspective.  (See attached sheet for further information).

Students with special needs are encouraged to contact the instructor to discuss their individual needs for accommodations.

Extra Credit will be given to students who wish to improve their total grade.   Extra credit will be applicable in two instances: 1) where the student has had to miss more than three classes and wishes not to have their grade lowered; 2) where the student is at a “borderline” grade percentage (i.e., 89%, the extra credit would move the final grade up to an A from a B-plus).  Below are three possible extra credit possibilities.  See the instructor for other ideas... or suggest your own.

A)  Music Concert/ Music Video Review
This typed paper should be a personal reaction to a live concert or music video as discussed with the instructor.  The paper should focus on a general reaction to the concert in relation to the class readings and discussions.  The student should be able to articulate why the concert or video was enjoyable, or why it was not enjoyable.  More specific criteria would include: the role of the conductor (if any); the role of the audience; a description of the musical instrumentation; a general reaction to the music performed; a general reaction to the concert hall and audience members (if applicable).  The live performance should include as many of the full range of instruments as possible (large orchestra preferred).  Content is by far more important than length.

B)  Classroom Music Presentation
This is similar to the Music Concert Review, but the topic is any music of your choice and will be an oral presentation made to the class (as agreed upon between the instructor and the student).  The 3-5 minute talk should include some played examples (CD’s, Cassettes) and/or live performances, historical background and brief discussion as to the selected topics importance.

C)  Music Composition
A written composition of approximately thirty-two measures will be composed by the student.  The composition will include a melody with written accompaniment or Popular-Chord notation.  Additional extra credit is possible if the student chooses to perform the composition for the class.

D)  Practica Musica Computer Program
Students may complete additional segments (both higher levels and new activities) not assigned for completion.

Reading and Homework Assignments for Music First, (Third Edition) Gary White
 

(Homework will be collected at the 2:30 class)

Date to be completed   Reading Assignment and Homework due

Friday- January 9   Chapter One-(White Text)

Friday-  January 16   Chapter Two-(White Text) and
     Practica Musica: (Pitch Reading/Level 1)

Friday-  January 23   Chapter Three-(White Text) and
     Practica Musica:(RhythmMatching/Level 1)
     Practica Musica:(Rhythm Reading/Level 1)

Friday-  January 30   Chapter Four-(White Text)
     Practica Musica:(Rhythm Matching/Level 2)
     Practica Musica:(Rhythm Reading/Level 2)

Friday-  February 6   Chapter Five-(White Text) and
     Practica Musica: (Pitch/RhyReading/Level 1)
     Practica Musica: (Pitch Reading/Level 2)

Friday-  February 13   Chapter Six-(White Text) and
     Practica Musica: (Scales&Keys/Level 1)
     Practica Musica: (Pitch Reading/Level 3)
     Key Signatures Computer Printout (Major)

Friday-  February 20   Chapter Seven-(White Text) and
     Practica Musica:(Interval Spelling/Level 1-3)

Friday-  February 27   Chapter Eight-(White Text) and
     Practica Musica: (Scales&Keys/Level 2-3)
     Key Signatures Computer Printout (Minor)

Friday-  March 6   Chapter Nine-(White Text) and
     Practica Musica:(Chord Spelling/Level 1-3)

Friday-  March 13   Chapter Ten-(White Text)
 

The Practica Musica assignments should be printed out and handed in with your homework assignments.   The use of the program will be demonstrated in the Friday Recitation meetings.   Be sure to take good care of your disk!

When you have completed the assignments for Practica Musica, the disk will look something like the example below:


 

Paper Content

 This paper should address three main points:
 

  1) What is the function of music in our society?
  2)  How do you personally use music in your life?
  3)  Assess your need of, and use of music in your life.
Paper Length
 
The paper should range from two to five type-written pages.  Content is by far more important than length.
Specifics
 
1) What is the function of music in our society?

 Within your paper, cite some specific examples of how music has been used by various individuals and/or cultures throughout time.  In the book: The Anthropology of Music,  Alan Merriam cites a list of  ten functions of music.  Use the ten functions as a guideline for your statements.  The ten functions are:

   •  Communication
   •  Emotional expression
   •  Symbolic representation
   •  Aesthetic enjoyment
   •  Entertainment
   •  Physical response
   •  Conformity to social norms
   •  Validation of social institutions/religious rituals
   •  Continuity and stability of culture
   •  Integration of society.

2)  How do you personally use music in your life?

 Given your statements from the functions of music, cite some specific examples of how YOU use music in your life  (Citing examples from as many of the ten functions of music areas as you can).  Include in this area what you feel are the most important functions of music in your life.

3)  Assess your need of, and use of music in your life.

Given your statements in the first two sections of the paper, decide if you are at a proper balance regarding how you use music in your life (You decide what IS a proper balance). State your thinking about changes you would like to include (if any) and how you would like to go about those changes.

Have fun!