TH 102 Spring 2016 (E.

Marvin)

TH 102 Model Composition & Tonal Analysis II

Professor: Dr. Elizabeth Marvin
Preferred contact is by e-mail: bmarvin@esm.rochester.edu
Office: ET 207, x4-1076 meetings by appointment, e-mail me to set up a time
Monday Lecture: 8:35 or 9:35 - OSL 101
Wednesday/Friday small-group sections, at the same hours:
Ken Luk A704
yluk@u.rochester.edu
Ethan Lustig A707
elustig@u.rochester.edu
Reilly Spitzfaden A708
rspitzfa@u.rochester.edu
Alex Trygstad A709
atrygsta@u.rochester.edu
Course description:
This coursethe second of the undergraduate theory core curriculumexplores
repertoire and compositional practice of the 18th to 19th centuries, and completes our
study of diatonic harmony and voice leading (using only chords available within the
prevailing key). Through style composition and analysis, we will begin to explore
techniques of tonicization and modulation (moves to different keys), as they play out in
compositions in binary, ternary, and theme-and-variation forms. We will also explore
ways that analysis may inform musical interpretation. As a final composition project,
every student will write a minuet for string quartet in Classical style, which will be
performed by students in the class.
Student learning objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will demonstrate an understanding of
18th- and 19th-century musical style by composing and performing in that style, and they
will engage with musical masterworks through listening, analysis and writing.
Specifically, students will be able to:
Compose phrases in chorale or keyboard style, incorporating all diatonic
harmonies, sequences, applied dominants, and modulations to closely related keys
(focusing on the dominant and relative major).
Harmonize melodies, realize figured basses, and compose phrases that modulate
to and from the dominant or relative major key.
Analyze works in binary, ternary, and variation forms, both visually and aurally,
recognizing the above-listed harmonic devices and considering implications for
performance and aspects that contribute to the works expressive power.
Synthesize these skills by composing a stylistically appropriate binary-form
movement in Classical style, using the harmonic, contrapuntal, and formal
devices described above.
Resources for learning two required texts and one notation program:
We will acquire concepts and vocabulary from:
The Complete Musician (3rd ed.; Oxford University Press) by Steven G. Laitz

TH 102 Spring 2016 (E. Marvin)

We will apply these concepts through analysis and composition:

The Musicians Guide Anthology (2nd ed.; W.W. Norton) by Jane Piper
Clendinning and Elizabeth West Marvin
Noteflight - web-based music notation: www.noteflight.com. If you were not in
TH 101, you will purchase a Premium subscription, $49.
After subscribing, log on to Blackboard and go to Course Tools find
Noteflight there. Your assignments should be submitted through Blackboard.
Supplemental materials (homework, etc.) will be placed on Blackboard for download.
We will also post lectures slides after class for you to review.
Handouts will not be distributed in class. You are responsible for downloading materials,
You will need a .pdf reader download (free) at: http://get.adobe.com/reader/
Assessing your learning:
Skills application:
Homework assignments (35%)
Keyboard task quizzes and collaborative work (5%)
Final composition (5%)
Class preparation and participation
Quizzes - online and in class (10%)
Participation in class (5%)
Formal assessments
Midterm exam, March 4 (15%)
Final exam, May 4-6 TBA* (25%)

45%

15%

40%

* The final exam is scheduled during exam week; no examinations may be taken early.
Do not schedule your travel away from Rochester before March 4 (midterm) or May 6
(final). TH 102 and 162 are co-requisite courses; you must pass both to move forward to
TH 201 or TH261.
Academic Integrity: I expect professionalism and honesty from all students;
professionals of integrity do not submit work completed by others, claiming it to be their
own. In this course, all work submitted must be solely your own work. Collaboration or
copying is not permitted on homework assignments, quizzes, or examinations, except
when specified by the instructor (e.g., collaborative learning). In the case of written prose,
published work that is quoted or paraphrased must be credited with appropriate citations.
Violations of this policy will be dealt with according to ESM policy, and may result in
failure or suspension. http://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/03-00/
Contacting your instructors:
Each section instructor will be available to answer questions by e-mail or to meet by
appointment. Always begin your inquiry with your section instructor, who knows your
work better; if you cannot reach him or her, then e-mail Prof. Marvin. You can expect a
reasonable response time for your questions sent during reasonable hours. Likewise, we
will contact you directly if we have any concerns about attendance or missing work.

TH 102 Spring 2016 (E. Marvin)

We encourage and invite you to contact your TA or supervisor via e-mail whenever you
have questions or concerns about assignments, quizzes, and so on. (Failure to ask
questions does not exempt you from turning in assignments on time.)
Class expectations and policies:
1) Skills application (homework, keyboard, composition):
Written work: Homework is assigned after each class and must be turned in by the
beginning of the next class. Analysis assignments will be printed by students from
Blackboard and handed in as paper copies; composition and part-writing will be
completed on Blackboard (no paper copies necessary).
Keyboard/Instrumental application: There will be four Task Quizzes that provide
keyboard / tactile reinforcement of harmonic topics under study. Some Task Quizzes may
be completed on your own instrument (if not keyboard). You may submit a video task
quizby recording on your phone or other device and e-mailing to your TAbefore
class on the day a task-quiz period ends. Begin the video by announcing your name (and
showing your face!). See Course Schedule for deadlines.
Composition: Compositions will be performed during the last full week of class, with
peer critique, in small-group sessions and a final in-class concert (Minuet Madness)
with an opportunity to vote for your favorites, and prizes awarded.
Grading: In an ideal world, graded assignments should provide ample opportunities for
learningeven learning by making mistakes! We will be using a three-point grading
scale that allows you to correct mistakes and resubmit your daily assignments for a better
grade. TAs will mark areas where the problems occurred and identify the type (by
highlighting, coloring, or circling) but they will not correct the error.
You may improve your grade by finding and fixing each error and resubmitting
providing the original assignment was turned in on time. You may resubmit any
assignment with corrections, as long as it was: (1) originally completed on time and (2) is
re-submitted within two weeks of its original due date. To raise your grade, the corrected
assignment must reach a very high (near-perfect) standard.
All written work will be graded on a three-point scale.
P+ (a nearly perfect paper, exceptional work); appears as 2 on Blackboard
P (an acceptable paper but with careless errors or comprehension issues); appears
as 1 on Blackboard (equivalent to C work).
0 (either not submitted, incomplete, or completed below an acceptable standard).
Your homework grades will be averaged. Numeric grades may be translated to
percentages (letter grades) by dividing by 2. For example, if your average is 1.7;
1.7 2 = .85 or B.

TH 102 Spring 2016 (E. Marvin)

Understanding that professional or health issues sometimes arise that may interfere with
completing homework on time: the two lowest homework grades will be dropped.
Late work: Late homework is not accepted (exceptions are rare and must be arranged
with your TA prior to the due date). Options if you are sick or away:
Upload to Blackboard before class or send your assignment with a fellow student;
Take a picture of your assignment and e-mail it to your TA before class.
Dont ask your TA after the due date to accept late work; assume that this will be
graded 0 and will count as one of the two dropped grades.
2) Class preparation and participation:
Each class will contain a significant amount of discussion and classwork; you are
expected to contribute to this work with a positive and professional attitude.
Attendance: Attend class regularly and on time; bring with you a pencil, staff paper
(available free online and on Blackboard), and your anthology.
Attendance will be taken; students missing 9 class meetings will not receive course
credit. Nine absences encompass more than 20% of the course, and they include both
excused and unexcused absences. (Dont ask your TA to excuse an absence, for any
reason.) Perpetual tardiness will be counted as 2 tardies = 1 absence.
Quizzes: Read the assigned chapters or pages in the textbook in advance of each Monday
lecture. To help you navigate each chapter and ensure that you have completed the
reading, an open-book online quiz of 4-5 questions will be posted after class Friday on
Blackboard, to be completed before class Monday. In addition, periodic pop quizzes will
be given in class to assess your understanding. Weaknesses identified in quizzes will help
us shape the classes that follow.
Collaborative Learning: Recognizing that different students learn in different ways, we
are including opportunities to learn from each other. We will engage in several
collaborative learning projects, completing an analytical assignment in groups; these are
scheduled to coincide with task-quiz classes.
3) Formal assessments:
The midterm and final provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your learning. For
reasons of confidentiality and fairness, we cannot give these exams early or late, except
in extreme cases of illness.
Plan your travel and professional engagements around the dates listed on the Course
Schedule, and do not make plans to leave campus before March 4 (midterm) or May
6 (final exam).
We look forward to working with you this semester!