Music 1A: Introduction to Music - Western Culture
dan mitchell | music department | creative arts division | de anza college |

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Change to Week 5 Schedule I have decided to delay next week's quiz until Wednesday, so that it follow Tuesday's test. [ Discuss]

Information About the First Test Our first midterm of the quarter is scheduled for next week on Tuesday. (Check the online calendar at this web site for details of day and date, along with an overview of which subjects are included on this test.) I would like to share a few basic facts about the exam that may help you be better prepared to do your best work on it: Subjects on the test will come from the reading, the listening (in class and the recordings that come with the text), and lectures. Some questions may focus on issues that are covered in only one of these sources, so don't rely on just your class notes... You already know this, but I'll remind you anyway: Waiting until just before the exam to begin your serious study puts you at a great disadvantage, and you will not likely do as well on the test as you would like. Continuing to study and review as you have been doing all quarter, focusing especially on things you regard as weaknesses can lead to test success.  Questions on the test will range from very basic and likely quite easy to some that are more difficult and sophisticated. It is unlikely that anyone will achieve a perfect score on the test, but that is normal and you should certainly not agonize over missing a one or two of the most difficult questions. I normalize grades to overall student performance on this exam - I do not grade on a strict percentage basis. You will have the entire class period to complete the exam, but most students will finish before the period ends. The test will consist of: two pages of Scantron questions - true/false, multiple choice, and matching formats two pages of questions to which you must respond in written form, including... an item based on listening to an example I play during the test and describing its characteristics I usually try to post test grades more quickly than homework grades - perhaps within 24-48 hours. You can prepare in advance for the listening question. While I will not tell you what the music will be, I can tell you that you will hear an excerpt that is a minute or so long. I will offer you a list of aspects of the music that you might describe: melody, dynamics, form, tempo/meter, texture, etc. You will select three of these options and offer a brief description of objective features of the music that you notice. Practice this process on paper using many examples from the recordings prior to the exam and you'll feel much more confident about your ability to succeed on this six-point question. [ Discuss]

---

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Office Hour Change on Thursday, Feb. 2 Due to the scheduling of a music department faculty meeting, I must cancel my 11:30-12:20 office hour this Thursday, February 2. Morning Music 1A classes will meet as scheduled. [ Discuss]

---

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Reminder: First Listening Assignment Homework Due Tomorrow 1/25 The first listening assignment of the term is due this week on Wednesday, January 25 at the start of the period. A few reminders and key points: You can find links to the printable assignment sheets in the online course calendar, as discussed previously in class. You must either print the two pages back-to-back on a single sheet of paper or staple the two sheets together. Staples are required for multiple page submissions - a paper clip, folded corner, tape, etc. are not staples, and your paper will be returned to you if the pages are not stapled. You must print out this form and you must submit your homework on this printed form. Assignments submitted in any other way without advanced permission will not be accepted. Assignments are due and will be collected at the start of your class on Wednesday. If you do not hand in your assignment at the time they are collected, it will be considered late and will not be accepted as per the late work policy outlined in the green sheet. If you cannot be in class on a due date, your assignment is still due unless you have made prior alternative arrangements. See the late work policy in the green sheet for information about what to do if you have a valid reason to miss class on a due date. Be sure to ask ahead of time if you have any questions about the assignment. There will be one listening assignment each week for the rest of the term, with one exception: during week 11 there will be two listening assignments. See the course calendar for more information. [ Discuss]

---

Monday, January 23, 2012

Updated Winter 2012 Office Hours Monday 8:30-9:20 Tuesday 11:30-12:20 Wednesday 8:30-9:20 Thursday 11:30-12:20 Friday 9:30-10:20 by appt. [ Discuss]

Concert List Update (1/23/12) Event for the next week have been added to the Concert List. You may attend any event included on the list for the concert report assignment. You may only attend events for this assignment that are included on the list unless you have them approved before attending the event - no exceptions. The list will typically be updated once or twice per week,  at which time events further in the future will be added. Check the list frequently. It is critical that you plan your concert attendance for the concert report well in advance of the deadline for submitting your report. It is essentially impossible to do the assignment at the last minute since you must attend an approved concert before you write the paper, and there are not guarantees that events that you can attend or afford will occur right before the due date. Early attendance is extra important if you work outside of school, take a heavy class load, cannot travel out of the local area, must use public transit to get to the concert, are only willing/able to attend free events, and so forth. Any of these issues will reduce the number of concert options for you, and you must plan accordingly - attend your concert very early! [ Discuss]

---

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

If you miss roll... ... I record an unexcused absence in my records. You must see me before leaving class to let me know that you are here or the unexcused absence will remain in my records. [ Discuss]

Interested in Joining the Band? The De Anza Symphonic Wind Ensemble is open to all students who play a band instrument. There is still room for you to join. I just received the following message from the conductor, Mr. Russell: ... Symphonic Winds is currently 33 members strong and I am very excited about its potential this quarter as we are hosting the NCCC Honor Band in February. For better balance, we have the following needs for additional players: flute, clarinet, trumpet and percussion. Of course, we welcome all wind band players. Please spread the word... [ Discuss]

---

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Just wondering... ... have I mentioned my cell phone policy? ;-) [ Discuss]

Important General Reminders A few gentle reminders about first week tasks: Review the First week checklist to make sure that you are "up and running" for a successful experience in Music 1A. Review the "calendar" for this week and the next few weeks - important assignments and deadlines are listed there. The first week survey is due at the start of class on Wednesday. The link is found in the week 1 section of the calendar. You must sign up for web site membership immediately if you have not already done so. See the Join Now link on this page. You should now have your copy of the text and bundled recordings. If not, you need to speak to me today to let me know when you will get these materials. [ Discuss]

Some Room Left to Add Music 1A There are still a few spaces left in both of my Music 1A sections. If you know of anyone looking for a course in this area, let them know right away! [ Discuss]

Minor Green Sheet Revisions I have made a few minor revisions to the course green sheet to clarify some things, primarily in the section on policies related to copying and cheating. The changes are indicated in bold type. [ Discuss]

---