Ms. Jill Burleson, Instructor

Office: MI 128

Phone: 285.5605

<jlburleson@bsu.edu>

Course Description. Principles of baton technique. Development of a fluent and expressive beat style and of rhythmic and aural faculties essential to successful direction of vocal and instrument ensembles.

Purpose. This course develops leadership in choral and instrumental rehearsal and prepares musicians to be able to communicate through gesture, facial expression, and body language, in addition to verbal skills. The course includes a study of topics that affect the conductor, including score preparation, programming, and working with voices and instruments.

Prerequisites. Conducting should be studied after a student has completed a minimum of two semesters of theory and has exhibited adequate preparation on the primary instrument.

Objectives. At the conclusion of the term, students should be able to:

* demonstrate growth in consummate all-around musicianship;

* demonstrate rhythmic and aural confidence as a conductor;

* indicate interpretive and stylistic ideas in gesture;

* demonstrate clear verbal and visual communication skills; and

* demonstrate the ability to prepare a score, and conduct accurately from that score.

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Requirements.

Attendance. Members of this class should attend all scheduled class sessions. Responsible behavior requires that the instructor be notified in writing of the reason for any absence. Notice should be served in advance if possible.

Assignments. This course includes selected reading from the required and supplemental texts, discussion and conducting in class sessions, and several written evaluation/response projects. All students are expected to participate in classroom discussion and participate in critique of colleagues, both in written and oral forms.

Examination. Two major written examinations will be given, coupled with two major conducting examinations to be arranged individually with the instructor. The final examination is comprehensive in nature, and includes a take-home portion and an applied portion.

Writing projects. For all projects, the student should follow standard guidelines as demonstrated in recent Turabian, MLA, or APA publications. Out-of-class written assignments must be typed.

Conductor report. You will write a five-eight page paper on an orchestral, band, or choral conductor of international stature and prominence. This is a research paper, and you should avail yourself of all resources available. Your topic should be approved by the instructor no later than 10 September. Your paper is due 12 November 2003.

Evaluation. You may construct the grade you wish to earn:

* by punctual, attentive attendance at all classes (5%);

* through thorough preparation and accurate presentation of daily class assignments, and participation in class discussion and critiques (40%);

* through thoughtful written analysis of selected reading assignments (5% each);

* through a well-written and properly-researched conductor profile term paper (15%);

* and through two major examinations (15% for the mid-term exams and 20% for the final).

In all cases the instructor’s evaluation of completed work determines the grade assigned.

Special Needs. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office phone is 5.5417, and my office is MUS 306.

Required tools.

Phillips, Kenneth. Basic Techniques of Conducting. Oxford University Press, 1997.

Video tape at each class session.

White conductor’s baton.

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