Course Syllabus

MUSC 4350 Advanced Conducting

Course Description

This course continues with concepts introduced in Beginning Conducting. Students will learn more about scores, including transposition of instruments, 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.
5. Demonstrate a knowledge of instrument transpositions and clefs.

Course Content

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