West Valley College Music 4B

Music Theory Level 4

Course:               Music Theory Level 4, Section #60532, Spring 2008

Class Time:        Tuesday and Thursday, 9:20 am - 11:50 am

Location:             Music Department, MU23

Instructor:            Robert Cornejo

Office:                 Music Department,  MU 2

Office Hours:     Monday 2-4 pm, Wednesday 2-3 pm (rm. MU22, no communication service)

Thursday 9-9:20 am

Office Phone:     408/741-2464              Fax: 408/741-2059

E-Mail:                robert_cornejo@westvalley.edu

Note: The instructor may make changes to the course syllabus during the semester. It is the student's responsibility to stay informed of any changes.

Course Description:

Music Theory Level 4 will cover the study of structural, harmonic, rhythmic and melodic applications and analysis, with emphasis on chromatic harmony and modulation techniques, and an overview of musical styles and period characteristics.  Time permitting, further study of 20th century techmiques will be covered. Composition activities will include part-writing, counterpoint, chromatic harmony, tonicization and modulation.  In addition, further study of musicianship will include ear training (interval, chordal, melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic dictation) and sight singing (intervals, scales, major/minor/modal melodies with chromaticism, part singing), rhythmic performance (simple and compound meters with rhythmic/metric dissonances, and two-part performance), and conducting patterns.

Recommended Preparation:  Music 004A - Music Theory Level 3

Text:   Gauldin, Robert.  Harmonic Practice In Tonal Music. 2nd ed.  New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.

Gauldin, Robert.  Workbook For Harmonic Practice In Tonal Music.  2nd ed.  New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.

(Accompanying CD-Rom is highly recommended!)

Ottman, Robert and Rogers, Nancy. Music For Sight Singing. 7th ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 2006

Hall, Anne Carothers. Studying Rhythm. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

Highly Recommended Resource:  Burkhart, Charles.  Anthology for Musical Analysis.  6th ed.  2004.

Highly recommended course for concurrent enrollment   

Music 031B Intermediate Piano 

Required Materials:

Pencil, Notebook, Music Manuscript, Portfolio

In the portfolio, all assignments, compositions, analysis, quizzes, and exams must be kept in chronological order.  A check-list will be given at the end-of-semester for an update.

Classroom Procedures:

Lecture

Notes

Discussion

Workbook Applications

Reading Text

Homework

Musicianship Development, including use of Practica Musica

A proposed dated outline will be given during the first two weeks of class, a schedule of theory and musicianship curriculum to be covered during the semester.

Attendance and Drop Policy:

There are NO excused absences.  The instructor does not have the time, nor the desire to evaluate what constitutes an excused absence.  The instructor will not drop students from the roster after the first day of class; it is the student's responsibility. 

Students should see the instructor due to absence to review content missed. Students are encouraged to take advantage of office hours for support, review, and comprehension checks.

Evaluation and Grading:

There will be no make-up opportunity for exams.  Under the most dire circumstances, and at the instructor's discretion, an exam may be made-up, provided it is scheduled prior to the following class meeting.  Notice must be given prior to the exam, with an excusable explanation and documentation (if needed).  Please call or email the instructor's office if there is a concern.

Assignments are worth 10 points.  All work must be complete and turned in on the due-date, no later than 2:30 pm.  Incomplete work will not be evaluated, but will be returned for completion.  An assignment may be turned in late, but only prior to the start of the following class, 2 points will be deducted as a late penalty.  All other evaluative work will be graded based on specific criteria, with no opportunity for re-do.  There are no extensions or grace periods given due to personal circumstances. 

A request for an incomplete may be granted if 80% of the coursework has been completed, and the student has a "C" grade standing or better.

Participation in ear training and sight-singing (the start of every class) is worth 35 points.  2.5 points will be deducted for every two missed.  Although not evaluated, students are extremely encouraged to access lab time for practice of ear-training skills on Practica Musica.

Twelve Homework Assignments: 10 points each 

Two Analysis: 20 points each

Two Musicianship Tests: 20 points each

Mid Term Exam: 40 points

Final Exam: 50 points

Final Exam Schedule:  Thursday, May 22, 9:40-11:40 am.

Participation: 35 points

Portfolio: 20 points

Total Points: 345 points                                                              

90-100%                                              A

80-89%                                                 B

70-79%                                                 C

60-69%                                                 D

0-59%                                                   F

Student Attendance Policy  (from the WVC Catalog, p. 182)  

Students are expected to attend all sessions of each class.  Instructors may drop students from the class if they fail to attend the first class meeting, or when accumulated unexcused hours of absences exceed ten percent of the total number of hours the class meets during the semester.  Moreover, an instructor may drop from the class any student who fails to attend at least one class session during the first three weeks of instruction.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty  (refer to the WVC Catalog, p. 182)  

Classroom Decorum:

As a courtesy to your fellow students and me please switch your pagers and cell phones off.

Sunglasses are not allowed to be worn inside the classroom.  Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, nor will lewd or foul language.  This class follows the standards set in the Student Code of Conduct, Board Policy 5.19, found in the West Valley College Catalog.  Students are subject to disciplinary action for violation of that code.

Disability Statement: 

West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.  Students should notify DESP (Disability & Educational Support Program) located in the Learning Services building (408-741-2010) of any special needs.

Unlawful Discrimination/Sexual Harassment :

If you have a complaint or someone has shared information with you as a student or employee that is unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at West Valley-Mission Community College District, Human Resources Department, (408-741-2060).  If the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources is not available, contact the President of the college in which you attend or are employed.  For West Valley College, contact the office of Dr. Philip Hartley at 408-741-2097.

Emergency Procedures:

West Valley College is one of the safest campuses in California.  However, earthquakes and other incidents could occur.   The college has developed an emergency procedures plan.  This document includes how to respond to emergencies that might occur on campus and in the classroom.  A copy of the plan is available to review from the Division Office or me. 

Evacuation:  In the event of an evacuation, the emergency assembly area for this classroom is in Parking Lot #7.  Take all of your belongings with you.   While we will try to evacuate together as a group, if you get separated, we will regroup at our assembly area in lot #7.  Do not leave campus or the assembly area unless instructed to do so my me or another responsible official (police, fire, etc.)