MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

COURSE TITLE:                    Conducting Vocal Music

COURSE NUMBER:              MuE 2091

INSTRUCTOR:                       Martin Rutishauser

OFFICE:                                  Music 32

e-mail:                                      rutishauserm@mville.edu

TEXTS:

A good quality conducting baton (do not purchase before first class)

A standard 8.5 X 11 inch lined notebook

COURSE CONTENT

What is a conductor, anyway?

Basic conducting techniques and gestures

Score preparation

            Compositional architecture-how to look at a piece of music for the first time

            Text analysis- introduction to IPA (International Phonetics Alphabet)

            Harmonic analysis

            Marking breathing

            Anticipation of musical issues in rehearsal

Rehearsal techniques

            Warm-ups

            Introducing a new piece to your chorus

            Structuring your rehearsals

            Dynamics and phrasing

Developing your technique and your chorus through choice of repertoire

            Standard choral works-a cappella and accompanied

            Recitatives

            Arias and ensembles

            Choral/orchestral works

Assignments

            Score analyses and preparation

            Preparation for classroom “rehearsals”

            Developing a concert program, including a bibliography of choral sources

            Final exam/presentation

COURSE GRADE CONSIDERATIONS:

            Punctual attendance at all classes and comprehensive note taking

            Completion of all assignments on time

            Growth as a choral conductor

            Class participation

            Final conducting project and presentation

Attendance at one choral concert including a review of that concert

Final exam