MU335-Instrumentation
Classic 300-T/R 3:00- Spring 2019
Instructor:
Prof. Steve Litwiller
slitwill@centralmethodist.edu
stevelitwiller@sbcglobal.net
phone: (660)888-0694 (cell)
Course Description/Exam Schedule
MU335. Instrumentation. 2 hours. A study of the fundamentals of scoring for individual instruments and ensembles.
Meeting place/times: T/Th 3:00-3:50, Location Classic Hall Band Room
Final Exam/Projects: TBA
Mission and Creed
Central Methodist University prepares students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.
The Central Methodist University community believes in:
• Seeking knowledge, truth, and wisdom;
• Valuing freedom, honesty, civility, and diversity;
• Living lives of service and leadership; and
• Taking responsibility for ourselves and the communities in which we live.
Recommended Reference Materials
Hymnals, books of Christmas Carols, collections of madrigals or Bach Chorales, folk song collections, fake books, piano scores for instrumental solos, or piano scores from easy-medium difficulty pieces. Much of the course work is based on Arranging for the Concert Band, by Frank Erickson. The book is REQUIRED for this course.
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will:
• Transpose at sight for all instruments.
• Know characteristic use of the instruments of the band and orchestra, including ranges and transpositions.
• Adapt and arrange music for specific ensembles for various purposes.
• Use computer software to create arrangements.
• Apply criteria by which music and music-making are judged artistic.
• Demonstrate appropriate and functional score editing, transposition, and transcription/arranging.
• Use critical thinking and creative problem solving to address musical issues related to analysis, performance, composition, improvisation, and arranging.
• Meet deadlines for assignments, presentations, and projects.
DESE Instrumental Music Competencies
• 1.C.13 – creating music for various purposes
• 1.C.14 – arranging and adapting music from a variety of sources to meet the needs and ability levels of school performing groups and classroom situations.
• 1.D.18 – appropriate (i.e., within the bounds of copyright law) and functional score editing, transposition, and transcription, and transcription/arranging.
• 1.D.19 – transposing instrumental parts.
• 1.F.25 – using computers and other music-related technologies (e.g., sound systems, microphones, electronic instruments, MIDI) to enhance the learning environment (e.g., computer-generated accompaniments).
• 1.G.26 – using critical thinking and creative problem solving to solve a variety of musical problems related to analysis, performance, composition, improvisation, and arranging.
• 1.G.30 – applying criteria by which music and music-making are judged artistic.
3.3 – transposition at sight for all instruments
MoSPE Competencies:
• 1C1 Demonstrates knowledge of the academic language of the appropriate discipline applicable to the certification area(s) sought as defined by the Subject Competencies for Beginning Teachers in Missouri.
• 3C1 Understands the components and organization of an effective curriculum, is able to create aligned learning experiences, can locate national and state standards, and is able to align them to learning outcomes.
• 6C1 Understands the importance of and develops the ability to use effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques.
Grading Policy
Completion of homework and class projects is critical to your success in this class. An assignment not turned in during the class period when due will be accepted one class period late for reduced credit. The assignment will not be accepted after that deadline.
Active student participation is a factor in your final grade. Student contribution to discussion and critiques of the musical examples is essential to molding a personal framework for what is musically artistic. To be blunt, we play the arrangements that you create as assignments in class so you can hear and learn how instrumentation and arranging works. If your assignments are not prepared, or if you do not show weekly growth on these assignments your grade will be lowered accordingly. You must be in attendance to assist in playing, listening, and critiquing your classmates’ projects to succeed in this class. Assignments will be weighted as follows:
Tests/Quizzes: 20%
Homework/Projects/Participation: 50%
Final Project: 30%
Check MyCMU throughout the semester to monitor your grades.
Academic Conduct Policy
Students are expected to follow the CMU Academic Conduct Policy as outlined at http://www.centralmethodist.edu/catalog/clas/policies/sanctions.php#conduct
1. Grade of zero on the individual assignment.
2. Grade of F in the class.
3. Dismissal from the class.
4. A notation of academic misconduct on your transcript.
The Dean of the University may take additional action, including probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college.
Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability. This includes but is not limited to recruitment and admission of students, educational programs, services, activities, financial aid, and scholarship programs. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination requirements.
The procedures, described in the university’s catalog, are intended to guide and assist faculty, staff, and students in complying with this policy and in determining reasonable accommodations to be made for the federally defined disability claimed. All materials and information regarding disabilities will be governed by the University’s normal policies regarding privacy.
To request reasonable accommodations for a disability, students must fill out and submit the application and information forms and provide professional documentation of the disability (These forms can be found at http://www.centralmethodist.edu/academics/learning-teaching/disability-accommodations.php). The staff of the Center must receive the information before reasonable accommodations are provided. Please see the website for the Center for Learning and Teaching for more information (http://www.centralmethodist.edu/academics/learning-teaching/).
Central Methodist University has established a grievance policy and process designed to provide students and others with a process to resolve potential issues. This policy and process is established to provide persons with an avenue to file a written concern and to establish a process to track and implement changes as a result of said concern. For more detailed information consult the CLAS catalog at: http://www.centralmethodist.edu/academics/catalog/clas-catalog/policies/index.php.
If an issue cannot be solved through consultation with the faculty or division chair, students can report an incident/issue within 30 days of the event via the online web form (https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CentralMethodistUniv)