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Course Syllabus

MUSC 4350 Advanced Conducting - Choral

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: MUSC 2350, MUSC 3540, MUSC 3640
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2025
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 16
  • Maximum Class Size: 30

Course Description

This course continues with concepts introduced in Beginning Conducting. Students will learn more about scores, ranges and tonal colors of voices and instruments, and advanced baton and hand-conducting techniques. Assignments will include the conducting of Snow College ensembles. Students will learn to function as ensemble leaders and will also demonstrate and defend their musical decision-making, both individually and collaboration with other students. Students will have the opportunity to synthesize the theoretical, analytical, historical and cultural components of their coursework in the process of functioning as a leader in the music making process.

Justification

Advanced preparation as a conductor is considered to be a fundamental pillar of musicianship for students in baccalaureate music programs. Courses of this type are taught at other 4-year schools in the USHE system.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate the ability to read a score at the piano.
  2. Demonstrate advanced baton and hand conducting techniques in both classroom and performance situations.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of advanced conducting vocabulary and playing/singing techniques.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of modern notation including 20th century and jazz styles.

Course Content

• Posture• Gesture• Score preparation• Advanced hand and baton techniques• Rehearsal techniques• Advanced vocabulary• Modern notation