SYLLABUS

MUSI 3342.001 – Spring 06 (TR 11:00-12:15, JO 2.604)

CREATING MUSIC
Instructor: Mary Medrick mary.medrick@utdallas.edu
Office Hours: MW 2-3, TR 10-11, and by appointment JO 4.638 972-883-2754

The skills involved in composition include familiarity with the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic
patterns from the common practice period and contemporary expansions (or abandonment) of
these practices. The primary goals of the class:
Ear training; Notational fluency; Music terminology;
Knowledge of instruments; Analysis of scores; Composition
Class Requirements:
Attendance/Participation 20% Final grade will be severely affected by unexcused absences.
Short Written Assignments 20%
Quizzes/Skill Checks 20%
Final Exam 20%
Portfolio 20%

Required Text: Composing Music, a New Approach by William Russo (1983)

PORTFOLIO: Students will keep a music composition journal, including class assignments and
exercises, analyses, sketches and compositions.

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

WEEK 1 Resources: Instruments; Appendix A & B plus… music theory software…

1/10 & 1/12 Discuss sketches, transcriptions, arrangements, etc.
RHYTHM Notation; Assignment: Percussion Exercises
Reading: Chapter 1; Handouts, Terms p.221-224

WEEK 2 Rhythm Notation review and QUIZ; Conducting Skills

1/17 & 1/19 1. Rhythmic Dictation & Conducting Exercises
Assignment: Begin Percussion pieces, see p. 134
Reading: Chapter 2

WEEK 3 PITCH, DYNAMICS & ARTICULATIONS

1/24 & 1/26 1. Melodic Dictation
2. Keyboard skills, Ear training; Pitch matching
3. Exercises: Chapter 6 Isomelody and Isorhythm
Assignment: Revise and recopy percussion pieces
Reading: Chapter 3 & Appendix B, p. 221

WEEK 4 ALTERNATE TECHNIQUES

1/31 & 2/2 Reading: Chapter 5
Terminology Review and QUIZ
 WEEK 5 MELODY
2/7 & 2/9 Thematic Material, Sequences, Variations
READING: Chapter 12 Imitation

WEEK 6 INSTRUMENTS and ORCHESTRAL SCORES

2/14 & 2/16 Review and QUIZ
Assignment: Score Analysis
READING: Handouts; Also see Appendix A, p. 219

WEEK 7 In Class Performances: Instrumental Pieces

2/21 & 2/23 Hand in Score Analysis

WEEK 8 MIDTERM
2/28 & 3/2 Writing for Piano --- Mozart Dice Game

WEEK 9 SPRING BREAK

WEEK 10 MELODY + HARMONY

3/14 & 3/16 READING: Chapter 8 & 9
Chord tones vs. Non chord tones; Progressions and voice leading

WEEK 11 WORDS AND MUSIC

3/28 & 3/30 READING: Chapter 13
Assignment: Vocal & Piano composition

WEEK 12 JAZZ & POPULAR MUSIC

3/21 & 3/23 Assignment: Bring in a recorded selection from a songwriter/composer of your
choice. Be ready to discuss the musical vocabulary being used in the selection, its use of
rhythm, variety, repetition, etc.
READING: Chapter 15

WEEK 13 MORE ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES

4/4 & 4/6 READING: Handouts, Websites

WEEK 14 COMPOSERS & the future

4/11 & 4/13 Select compositions for Festival Performance; Prepare Program Notes

WEEK 15
4/18 & 4/20 REVIEW ALL (last class)

4/25 FINAL EXAM/Hand in Portfolio

MUSI 3342 MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS:

1) Percussion Ensemble for 3-4 players, 36-72 measures in length, 4/4, ¾ or 6/8 time, must
include one pitched percussion instrument
2) Instrumental Ensemble for 2-4 players, may include one percussion, 36-72 measures,
must show techniques of melodic development and be accompanied by an analysis paper.

3) Vocal & Piano or notated Guitar: setting of a poem or lyric, may include chord chart, but
must be written out accompaniment, 36-? measures.

4) Score Analysis, from selected list; Annotated analysis of instrumental use of

melodic/thematic material