INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC
50:700:202

Fall 2002 Julianne Baird
Monday and Wednesday 1:20pm - 2:40pm
Fine Arts Building Room 215

Email jbaird@camden.rutgers.edu
Telephone: 856-225-6210
Office hours T-Th 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Kamien, Roger. Music: An Appreciation. (third brief edition) McGraw Hill N. Y. N.Y. 1990.

You must buy the CD’s which accompany the text: Brief Set of Three Compact Disks to Accompany Music: an Appreciation by Roger Kamien

The focus of the course will be the study of musical literature. Major works from all instrumental and vocal genres will be studied from historical, theoretical, and social perspectives. The course will place a high degree of emphasis on listening, and there will be two listening examinations in the course of the class.

EXAMS:

Four examinations worth 100 points and a listening exam worth 50 points;

and 50 points for in- class assignments and participation.

GRADING:

A = 90% - 100%

B = 80% - 89%

C = 70% - 79%

D = 60% - 69%

F = 0% - 59%

There will be approximately 5-6 tests given during the semester of a multiple choice or short answer nature averaging 100 questions per test. One or two additional listening tests will also figure in your grade. The examples will be drawn from the CD’s accompanying the text. Put these CD’s on while you are studying and become as familiar with them as you can. These tests, and Class attendance will comprise your grade. Class attendance is a must. Three missed classes will result in a full letter grade lower. If the student desires to bring up his grade, he may do so by attending a concert and submitting a "Musical Review" Two submitted Musical Reviews can bring up the grade by a letter. For information on HOW TO WRITE A MUSICAL REVIEW SEE BELOW)***

NO INCOMPLETES WILL BE GIVEN

ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, September 5th Classes begin. Syllabus given/ Georg Solti and Dudley Moore: Introduction to the Orchestra/ Read Kamien p. 2-59.

Monday, September 10th NO CLASS MEETING

Wednesday, September 12th Discussion: Elements of Music

Monday, September 17th Discussion: Elements of Music, cont'd

Wednesday, September 19th Review of material

Monday, September 24th First Test

Wednesday, September 26th Begin Middle Ages and Renaissance, read pages 62-88.

Monday, October 1st Middle Ages and Renaissance, cont'd

Wednesday, October 3rd Review for test

Monday, October 8th Begin Baroque era, read pages 92-142.

Wednesday, October 10th Concerto Grosso/ Vivaldi/ Bach Brandenburg)

Monday, October 15th Fugue, Opera Handel and Purcell

Wednesday, October 17th Conclusion of Baroque Discussion/ Review

Monday, October 22nd Test on Baroque

Wednesday, October 24th Begin Classical era, read pages 146-202

Monday, October 29th Sonata Form, Minuet and Trio and Rondo Forms

Wednesday, October 31st Symphony, Opera and Concerto

Monday, November 5th Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven - elements of style

Wednesday, November 7th Review Classical Era

Monday, November 12th Test on Classical Era

Wednesday, November 14th

The Great Soprano-Trumpet Duels and The Madrigal Festival.
Location: Walter Gordon Theater, Rutgers-Camden
Required Attendance from 1:20-2:40 pm (Concert makes up for the missed class in September.) Report is Due.

Monday, November 19th Romantic Era: Musical Elements of Romanticism: Franz Schubert/ Schumann

Wednesday, November 21 - Thanksgiving Recess

Monday, November 26th Chopin and Liszt/ Mendelssohn

Wednesday, November 28th Program Music/ Mendelssohn, Berlioz/ Smetana

Monday, December 3rd Tchaikowski, Dvorak, Brahms, and Wagner

Wednesday, December 5th Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, Mahler

Monday, December 10th "Catch up"

Wednesday, December 12th Review for Test and Review for Final Listening Test

Friday, December 21st Final Examination 9am-12noon

When writing a review of a musical event, always remember that this is a subjective, personal opinion which may be agreed with or not by the reader. Your opinion of what happened is the most important aspect of the review. As a part of the review, however, you need to keep in mind that your readers may not have been at the concert. Because of this you will need to mention certain basic information as a part of the review.

1. Who plays -- Mention the performers by name if there are less than 6-8, and mention the type of group which is playing. If they have some professional name (ie. The Greenville Symphony Orchestra, The Canadian Brass, etc.) be sure to include this name as well. Most reviews also include a mention of the date, time, and place of the performance. If there is a large group playing such as an orchestra, mention only those performers who have important solos within the pieces and the conductor.

Always comment on the overall quality of the performance including specific examples of what you heard.

2. What was performed -- List each piece performed and discuss it from the standpoint of both the quality of the piece itself and the quality of the performance. Include all of the vital information needed to identify exactly what piece was performed.

Usually the manner in which it is listed in the program will suffice. DO NOT, however, list the entire program as the opening of your review. List each work and discuss it immediately. Be sure to list any changes to the program or encores played.

3. Include background information -- Some background information can help the reader to understand the program better, but do not go overboard on this aspect. Any background information should be brief and should not take up more than 10 percent of the total paper.

4. Tell the reader whether or not you liked the concert. This is the single most important aspect of a review. Was the program worth hearing? Did you like the pieces chosen, the performance, both, or neither? Please explain as specifically as possible what you did or did not like about the performance. This is the most subjective area of the review and should be the bulk of what you say. You may be critical, but try not to get personal. DO NOT use the word "boring."

5. Refer to performers by full name the first time, and thereafter by last name only. Do not personalize your relationship by referring to Dr. Billy Taylor as "Billy," even if you know him quite well. It should be Dr. Billy Taylor the first time, and "Dr. Taylor" or "Taylor" from that point on.

You may keep notes during the performance, but take in only a small note pad, or write your impressions on the program. It is not appropriate to discuss what you are hearing with anyone during the concert. You may discuss your impressions with your friends afterward, but write your own review. Also, do not enter or leave the auditorium at any time during a performance except in cases of emergency. In all cases you should try to enter or leave during a silence between movements or at the end of a piece. Most of all, have fun and enjoy the concert.