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MUSIC THEORY PROJECT

 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

INSTRUCTOR AND FACULTY COORDINATOR:    

Margaret Henry  

Phone: 585-274-1962

Email: mahenry@esm.rochester.edu

Office: Room 214 in Messinger Hall

 

Office Hours:

Tuesday: 3:30-4:30 PM

Friday: 3:00-4:00 PM  or by Appointment

 

Extra Help Sessions:

Wednesday: 4:00-5:00 PM

Friday: 7:00-8:00 PM

Saturday: 1:30-3:00 PM

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

Brief Overview of Course

The Theory Project is an independent study, in which the student will meet with an instructor for one hour every other week.  The student, in consultation with the instructor and his/her applied teacher, will select a piece (or a movement from a piece) that he/she is studying and which he/she would like to understand more fully.

 

The student will begin by researching the biography of the composer as well the historical development of the form of the piece selected.  After this, the specific type of analytical approach used will, of course, depend on the historical period and form of the piece or movement in question.  Following a detailed analysis, the student will write up his/her findings in a paper and then present this paper in the form of a lecture recital in May of that year. This lecture-recital will be open to the public and following the presentation, the student will be asked to answer questions about the paper posed by invited theoretical experts.  This study provides an excellent opportunity for students to connect the theoretical concepts they have been studying with the music they are performing in their applied lessons.

 

Course Goals

  • to help students gain a deeper understanding of the music they are performing in their applied lessons

  • to fulfill the final theory requirement for ALL Theory Diplomas

  • to fulfill the theory elective requirement for the Advanced Diploma in an Instrument or Voice 

     

 

Course Activities Prior to lecture Recital

  • Library research
  • Weekly analytical assignments
  • Paper preparation
    Presentation rehearsals
 

 

COURSE POLICIES AND WEIGHTING OF GRADES

Attendance

  • Students must attend the biweekly sessions regularly because there is a lot of preparation required prior to the lecture-recital in May of that year.                                                          

  • If a student cannot attend a session, he/she should let the teacher know before the session and try to arrange for another session the same week.

  

Grades

       Grades will be given at the end of each semester.  Grades are based

       on  the following four factors:

  • Attendance

  • Biweekly library research and/or analytical assignments in preparation for the paper

  • The written paper

  • Presentation of the Lecture-recital

 

MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I know if I should be taking the Theory Project?

  • Students must have successfully completed Music Theory II and III with a grade of B+ or better and should have a real interest in theoretical analysis.
  • Students should be able to attend the biweekly sessions regularly
  • Students should have time to devote a minimum of two hours a week to assigned research and analytical assignments pertaining to the project.         

What academic requirements does the Theory Project fulfill?

  • It is a theory elective course for an the Advanced Diploma in an Instrument or Voice.
  • It is the final theory requirement for the Diploma in Theory, the Advanced Diploma in Theory and the Pre-Collegiate Diploma in Theory.

          

Last updated:  July 22, 2008