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Course Syllabus

MUSC 2350 Beginning Conducting

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2025
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 18
  • Maximum Class Size: 25

Course Description

The fundamentals of baton technique are addressed, as well as the basics of score preparation. Students will be introduced to the application of theoretical formal and historical knowledge to the process of conducting and musical problem solving.

Justification

As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Snow College is required to offer this course to all BMCM students. This course satisfies the basic conducting requirement for music majors and provides nonmajors with an opportunity to learn basic conducting techniques that can be used in a variety of community or religious functions. Courses of this type are taught at all NASM accredited institutions in Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will master basics of posture, and meter patterns.
  2. Students will demonstrate basics of score preparation.
  3. Students will understand and demonstrate various musical styles as they relate to conducting.
  4. Students will understand and demonstrate preparatory gestures and cueing.
  5. Students will demonstrate appropriate left-hand gestures.
  6. Students will demonstrate clear indications for dynamic changes.
  7. Students will demonstrate a vocabulary of useful conducting terms

Course Content

Students will study methods of conducting vocal and instrumental scores using appropriate meter patterns, cues, and baton techniques. They will also study notation, musical vocabulary, and instrument transpositions.