50:700:202 INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC

SPRING 2003 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: Monday and Wednesday 9:00am to 11:00am

REQUIRED TEXT and CDs:


OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this course will be to give the student an understanding of the development of Western Music from the Middle Ages to the late twentieth century. Understanding the major trends in Western music as well as its function in society, and examination of the parallels with other fine arts is a further goal.

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. Note: Attendance at the January 26th Concert in Marlton with presentation of ticket stub and ONE PAGE description is a guaranteed letter grade raise.


GRADING:

A = 90% - 100%, B = 80% - 89%, C = 70% - 79%, D = 60% - 69%, F = 0% - 59%


COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

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. Regular class attendance is required. Three missed classes will result in reduction of a full letter grade. 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.
Click on the link for information on HOW TO WRITE A MUSICAL REVIEW.

NO INCOMPLETES WILL BE GIVEN! --- ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY!


TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, January 22 Discussion: Elements of Music Classes begin. Syllabus given/ Kamien p. 2-59.
SUNDAY JANUARY 26
3 pm

Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center, Marlton, NJ
ATTENDANCE STRONGLY URGED--
CAN RAISE YOUR GRADE BY ONE LETTER AT MARKING TIME
Directions: From points West using Rt. 70: Take Rt. 70 east towards Marlton. Approaching the Marlton circle, there will be a Barnes & Noble bookstore on your right and a Friendly's Restaurant on your left. Stay to the far right lane as you enter the circle (Olga's Diner will now be on your immediate right). Go 1/4 of the way around the circle and turn right onto Rt. 73 South (Lahn Real Estate and Champps restaurant will be on your right). Continue south on Rt. 73 to the intersection with the Marlton Parkway. Take the Marlton Pkwy. to the third traffic light (approximately 1.5 miles) and turn left onto Tomlinson Mill Rd. Pass the Marlton Elementary/Middle School complex on your left. Cherokee High School South and the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center will be on your left. Take the second driveway into the one-way entrance.

Monday, January 27

Georg Solti and Dudley Moore: Introduction to the Orchestra/

Wednesday, January 29 Discussion: Elements of Music, cont'd
Monday, February 3 Review of material.
Wednesday, February 5

FIRST TEST (Click here for Study Guide)

Monday, February 10 Begin Middle Ages and Renaissance, read pages 62-88.
Wednesday, February 12 Middle Ages and Renaissance, cont'd
Monday, February 17 Review for test
Wednesday, February 19
SECOND TEST: Medieval and Renaissance Period (Click here for Study Guide)
Monday, February 24

Begin Baroque era, read pages 92-142.

Wednesday, February 26 Concerto Grosso: Vivaldi Seasons/ Bach Brandenburg Concerto 5
Monday, March 3
12 NOON
CONCERT @ 12 noon
Karen Flint, harpsichord
Dr. Julianne Baird with Laura Heimes, soprano
Location: Rutgers FA, Mallery Room 12 noon til 1:00.
Attendance is required at this concert! -- Class starts immediately after performance!
Monday, March 3 Film: Honor, Profit, Pleasure; Opera: Handel; Fugue, Bach: Life and Works; and Purcell
Wednesday, March 5

Conclusion of Baroque Discussion/ Review

Monday, March 10
THIRD TEST: Baroque Period (Click here for Study Guide)
Wednesday, March 12 Begin Classical era, read pages 146-202 Domestic Music and the Rise of the Middle Class
March 17 - 19

SPRING BREAK

Monday, March 24 Sonata Form, Minuet and Trio, Rondo Symphony, Opera and Concerto Forms
Wednesday, March 26

Introduction to the Romantic Era: Musical Elements of Romanticism: Schubert/ Schumann --- AND REVIEW FOR CLASSICAL TEST

Wednesday, March 26
4pm
EXTRA CREDIT CONCERT
St. Stephen Church in Philadelphia at 10th and Chestnut Streets
(Easily walkable from High Speed Exit at 8th and Market.)
Monday, March 31

FOURTH TEST: Classical Era (Click here for Study Guide)

Wednesday, April 2 Chopin and Liszt
April 5, 2003
8 pm
EXTRA CREDIT CONCERT
Dr. Baird’s Premiere at the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Hall
singing Benjamin Britten’s LES ILLUMINATIONS
Monday, April 7 Tchaikowsky, Dvorak, and Program Music/ Berlioz/Smetana
Wednesday, April 9 Mendelssohn and Brahms
Monday, April 14 Verdi, Wagner
Wednesday, April 16 Puccini, Mahler
Monday, April 21 Film on Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn
Wednesday, April 23 Film on Clara Schumann
Monday, April 28 Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky
Wednesday, April 30 Richard Strauss, Bartok, Gershwin
Monday, May 5 Stravinsky Rite of Spring: Last day of CLASSES
Tuesday, May 6
9-12
EXTRA CLASS: --extra class Review for Final TEST
(ROMANTIC ERA) and Review for Final Listening Test
Monday, May 12 - 2-5 pm
Final Examination

Professor Cliff Leaman’s Guidelines for writing a review of a Musical Event

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.

Last updated February 2, 2003