Aural Skills II

MUSI 1117

Instructor:  Dr. Vicky V. Johnson, Room 122

Office hours posted on office door

E-mail:  vjohnson@tarleton.edu

Phone:  Ext. 9238

Course Outline

For week by week description of requirements, assignments, and exams, refer to the Course Outline at the following link:

http://vickyjohnson.altervista.org/AuralSkillsIICourseOutline.htm

 

 

 

Course Description

 

 

bullet

Continued development of singing tonal music in treble, bass, alto, and tenor clefs. Continued aural study, including dictation, of rhythm, melody, and diatonic harmony

 

bullet

Pre-requisite:  a passing grade in MUSI 1116

 

 

 

Required Texts and Materials

 

 

bullet

Bruce Benward and J. Timothy Kolosick, Ear Training: A Technique for Listening, (edition used for Theory I). (Do NOT buy a used book, an eBook, or a rental)

 

bullet

Robert W. Ottman, Music for Sight Singing (edition used for Theory I).   (This book can be used or rented, but do not get an eBook)

 

bullet

Music staff paper.  Go  here to print staff paper with keyboard and here for various other configurations.

 

bullet

Notebook:  it will not be graded, but a good idea to keep your staff paper and other materials.  Also bring 3x5 notecards.

 

bullet

Pencil and eraser.  I will not accept any assignment  or test written in ink.  Mechanical pencils are a good choice. 

Bring these materials to every class session.

 

Course Work Includes

 

 

bullet

Practical exercises in sight-singing and ear-training

 

bullet

Sight-singing and ear-training exams

 

bullet

Individual work on computer programs

Note:  Please see the Course Outline for specific topics, schedule, requirements, and deadlines.

 

 

Exams

 

 

bullet

Exams in sight-singing and ear-training will be given in weeks 4, 8, and 12.  One additional exam in sight-singing and ear-training will be given on the last class day.  This exam is optional, but can be used to replace a missed exam or a low score.  Students may elect to take either part or both.  This is the only make-up exam available.

 

 

 

Grading Will Be Based On

 

There are 3 regular sight-singing and ear-training exams.  On the last class day, sight-singing and ear-training make-up exams will be scheduled.  These are optional and students may take either one or both.  The make-up grade will replace the lowest corresponding grade.  If the make-up grade is lower, it will not be counted.  No other make-ups will be given. 

 

bullet

35%   Sight-singing Exams

 

bullet

35%   Ear-training Exams

 

bullet

20%   Computer lab assignments, group work, and other classwork

Computer lab assignments are due on Fridays at 5pm.  Note these on your weekly schedule as there are no make-ups for these.

 

bullet

10%   Class participation

 

Note:  Music exists in time.  It is important for music professionals to be able to perceive and identify musical elements quickly or they will be of little use.  For this reason, proficiency in the areas of aural skills includes speed as well as understanding and assessment will include both.

Some assignments are based upon answers that are right or wrong and will be graded objectively.  Other assignments will have subjective content.  In grading those assignments, students do not begin with a 100 percent and lose points for infractions.  Rather, these grades are judgments about overall performance.  That is to say, students who have earned an 85% did not necessarily "lose" 15 points through error, but were judged to have performed at a B level.  These levels are basically described as:

A:  Excellent

B:  Good

C:  Average

D:  Below average

F:  Unsatisfactory

A grade of C or above is required to pass the course.

Tarleton differentiates between a failed grade in a class because a student never attended (F0 grade), stopped attending at some point in the semester (FX grade), or because the student did not pass the course (F) but attended the entire semester. These grades will be noted on the official transcript. Stopping or never attending class can result in the student having to return aid monies received.  For more information see the Tarleton Financial Aid website.

 

Attendance Policy

 

 

bullet

Attendance is required. Absences will only be excused with proper written documentation on letterhead. This includes a note from a healthcare provider in case of illness or a form signed by a sponsor (presented in advance) in the case of a University sanctioned activity.  Attendance at funerals and court appearances will also be excused with proper documentation.

 

bullet

Class will begin on time.  Use this link to set your watch.

 

bullet

A student's absences will not change any deadline or assignment requirements.  You are always responsible for any material you miss, so check the Course Outline and/or a fellow classmate for announcements, assignments, and requirements.

 

Classroom Policy

 

 

bullet

No food in the classroom.  Drinks in hard-sided containers with lids are allowed.

 

bullet

Turn off your cell phones and put them out of sight - mine and yours.  Text messaging is prohibited in the classroom.  Exceptions will be allowed at instructor's discretion on an individual basis if requested in advance.

 

bullet

Attention will be given to the lesson at hand, or you will be excused from the classroom.  (In other words, no working on other homework, personal business, sleeping, etc.)

 

bullet

Keep your backpacks and other personal belongings out of the aisles.

 

bullet

Do not leave the room during class except for emergency.

 

bullet

If your conduct for any reason is unacceptable, you will be asked to leave.  Do not return to class until you have made an appointment to see me and the situation has been resolved.

 

bullet

Leave your space better than you found it.

 

 

Academic Conduct

Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person's materials or ideas as one's own), or doing work for another person who will receive academic credit are all impermissible.  This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or give help during an examination; the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments, reports, or term papers; or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if it were the student's own work.

 

Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a grade of "F" for the class.  Further disciplinary action may also be taken beyond the Department of Fine Arts.  This decision will be mine in consultation with the department head.  Cheating is serious business and the penalties for engaging in this sort of activity will be severe.  Consult the following link for further information on academic conduct as specified in your student handbook.  http://www.tarleton.edu/catalog/academic-information/academic-honesty.html

 

 

Students With Disabilities Policy

It is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking accommodations for this course, please contact Trina Geye, Director of Student Disability Services, at 254.968.9400 or geye@tarleton.edu. Student Disability Services is located in Math 201. More information can be found at www.tarleton.edu/sds or in the University Catalog.

 

Created and maintained by Vicky V. Johnson