Spring, 2012

MUTH 3420, section 2

18th-Century Counterpoint

MWF 9-950/Main Music Building, Room 288

Instructor: Dr. Stephen Slottow

Telephone:Office: (940) 369-7215

E-mail:

Office:Main Music Building 228

Office hoursMWF 10-11. Other times by appointment.

Materials: -Required text: Robert Gauldin, A Practical Approach to Eighteenth-

Century Counterpoint, Waveland Press, 1995 (original edition published by

Prentice Hall, 1988).

I will provide copies of initial materials to those who need them for the first week, but thereafter will expect each student to bring a copy of the book to everyclass.

-Assorted handouts. I will also be using a lot of material and music that is not in

the Gauldin book. Bring handouts(at least on the current topic) to each class.

-Other books or music on library reserve.

-Music paper and pencil.

Coursework:The course covers contrapuntal technique of the 18th century, focusing on works of J.S. Bach, but also including other composers such as Handel and Rameau. Although the course includes some analysis, it is predominantly a writing course that explores the composition and combination of contrapuntal melodic lines within a tonal framework in Baroque style. Class activities will include (1) going over reading, assignments, and new material; (2) class composition; and (3) class critique of individual assignments.

Hearing:It is essential that hear both the pieces with which we will be working as well as your own writing. If you can accurately hear music in your head just by looking at it, well and good. Otherwise, play it on the piano, play it back in Finale, listen to a recording or Youtube video, etc. Music has a visual component, but is obviously primarily is an aural art--you must be able to hear it. Neither composition nor analysis by sight alone is effective.

Grading:Grades will be based on the homework. Here is a tentative grade breakdown (subject to change with notice):

Projects

#1 (monophonic motivic realization of a short harmonic

framework)10%

#2 (dance suite or 2-pt. invention)15%

#3 (fugue)15%

Total=40%

Other homework60%

Late work:Assignments are due at the class period on the assigned date. Late assignments will be graded down a full letter grade and accepted no later than one class after the due date. Moreover, if I’ve already gone over the assignment in class, I will accept no late homework on it at all. That’s the risk you take if you hand in late work.Excuses for late homework will be considered only if you contact me before or on the date the homework is due, or at the latest at the very next class session. Whether I accept your excuse is up to me. After that, no excuse will be considered unless you tell me why it was not possible to contact me before. This policy is strictly enforced. On the other hand, if you have an excuse for late homework, don’t neglect to tell me what it is, assuming that I won’t accept it. Leave that decision to me.

Absences:

Excused:Absences are excused for medical emergencies (concerning you or members of your immediate family), andofficial College of Music musical activities. For the latter, you are responsible for informing me--don't assume that I'll get an email with a list of excused students. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. If you feel that an absence for any other reason should be excused, discuss it with me; whether I accept it or not is my decision. Don’t assume that I will or won’t accept it: leave that decision to me. For all excused absences I must be informed at the latest by the next class session.

Unexcused: You are also allowed 3 unexcused absences. Every additional unexcused absence deducts 3 points from the final course grade. I will take attendance at the beginning of each class. If you arrive after I’ve taken attendance,it’s YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure you are marked present BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE CLASS ROOM. Otherwise, you will be marked absent.Keep track of your absences; if you’re unsure, ask me.

If you miss a class, you are still responsible for the assigned homework and for knowing what was covered in class. Get the information from me or another class member. Generally the best way to contact me is through email ().

Blackboard:I have never used Blackboard before, but will attempt to use it to post some PDFs of scores and assignments, for keeping track of grades, and for general announcements. You can access it at or by going to and clicking on Blackboard (at the top of the page).

Plagiarism:Since the course grade is largely based on individual homework assignments, it is essential that those assignments represent your own work and not someone else’s. You may discuss general coursework issues with friends (e.g., ask a question about voice-leading procedures).You may not copy another student’s assignment or work collaboratively to complete an assignment. As a general guideline, feel free to collaborate beforeyou start writing; but once your pencil touches paper, all work must beyour own.Plagiarism will be dealt with in accordance with the policies set out at

Americans with Disabilities Act:

The College of Music complies with the ADA, making reasonable

accommodation for qualified students with disabilities. If you have an established

disability as defined in the ADA and would like to request accommodation, please see me as soon as possible. I cannot make any accommodation without proper

notice and documentation, nor can I make accommodation retroactively.