Music 286-001 Basic Conducting II

Spring 2006

Class time: MWF 1-1:50 p.m. KE-114

Instructor: Dr. Joe Hickman

Office: KE-115 395-3588

Office hours: Daily by appointment

Textbook and supplies: Joseph A. Labuta, Basic Conducting Techniques 5th Edition. Pearson/Prentice Hall. Bring your instrument to play every day. Also recommended - conducting baton.

Course Objectives: The goal of the class is the development of basic skills in conducting (visual gesturing), score preparation, and rehearsal procedure.

Course Requirements and Attendance Requirements

Each student will be expected to prepare conducting and score reading assignments regularly and to participate in the class as an ensemble member for others to conduct. The students who are not on the podium can be expected to be asked questions at any time and should thoroughly prepare and participate in all aspects of the class. Because the success of the instruction depends upon a responsive ensemble (for both conductors and observers), regular attendance and active participation are required of all students at all times.

Evaluation

The final grade in the class will be a composite of the following factors: Average of regular conducting evaluations, average of regular score reading evaluations, average of scores on unannounced quizzes, and a factor of the quality of participation in the ensemble for other conductors.

It is expected that each conductor be thoroughly prepared for each appearance on the podium and that the visual gesturing and rehearsal procedure should reflect that preparation. A written evaluation of each session will be kept. Contingent upon available rehearsal time in UNCW ensembles, outside assignments may be made to individuals to supplement classroom conducting.

Methodology

The training of conductors is an individualized process, but one in which the observers may learn from the experience of being the ensemble and of watching the individual instruction of each member of the class. It is recognized that each student has a different level of experience and expertise at the beginning of the semester. Instruction will be individualized, and each student will be given tasks that develop his / her ability.

Despite this individualized process, the knowledge of a common core of information and development of certain skills is required of each participant in the class-the ability to beat time clearly, the ability to prepare entrances and releases clearly, the ability to prepare the score for a rehearsal (by reading the necessary transpositions and/or clefs), and the ability to hear discrepancies between the printed music and the sound of the ensemble.