Music 1A: Dan Mitchell: Intro to Music

Monday, May 13, 2013

A Few Week VI Announcements (5/13/13)
If anyone did not turn in a concert report today... it is nearly always better to turn something in late than to not turn in a concert report at all. See me before leaving today if you have questions.
For anyone who did not make it to class today, as long as you email me the text or a scan/photo of your report by the start of your class your paper is regarded as being on time. You must get the printed copy and support documents to me as soon as possible.
If you brought your report to turn in today but forget support documents, turn the report in and bring the support documents tomorrow. If you do this there is no penalty. You must staple all late support documents to a full size 8.5 x 11 piece of paper with your name on it.
I hope no one will be too disappointed if I delay the quiz until Tuesday... ;-)
[ Discuss]

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Event Updates
I have added a De Anza College Music Department performance to the Extra Credit event list. This is a guitar recital that takes place on campus this Thursday afternoon. Note that this event is NOT ELIGIBLE for a concert report but IS ELIGIBLE for Extra Credit.

I also updated the Concert List (which includes all events eligible for the Concert Report assignment) to include a couple of weeknight events at San Jose State University tonight and on Thursday night.
[ Discuss]

Homework, Test, and Quiz Notes
I had hoped to be able to return assignment #2 to you today, but I'll be about 10 papers short of finishing the grading. I will return them on Wednesday.
Do not forget that assignment #3 is due tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8.
Also, as I have reminded the class several times, this week's quiz was moved from Monday to Wednesday.
I try to grade tests in a matter of a few days, though it can take up to one week. [ Discuss]

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Week IV Important Reminders (5/2/13)
As discussed in class this week, we are coming up on one of the very busy portions of the term in Music 1A. For the next few weeks it will be extra important for you to work ahead, not try to do things at the last minute, ask questions as soon as possible, and reserve plenty of time to get work done.
This weekend is your last realistic opportunity to attend a concert for the concert report assignment. If you have not already done so, select a concert now from those currently listed in the Concert List - don't wait!
The first test is next Tuesday - it focuses on the information related to the units on "Elements," "Middle Ages and Renaissance Music", and "Non-Western Music." Today we discussed some important ways to prepare along with some other issues.
Two things happen next Wednesday. As always, the next listening assignment is due. In addition, the next quiz is on Wednesday. It would have been on Monday, except that I think it is better to delay it until after test 1.
The concert report is due a week from this Monday, and you must start your work early so that you'll have time for careful proofreading and editing, and to ask me questions as you work on it.
[ Discuss]

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Quick Reminder About Assignments and Deadlines
As you know from our in-class discussions and from your reading of the course "green sheet" and other resources, there are some official policies regarding on-time submission of assignments and the consequences for late submission.

Specifically, for listening assignments, they are due at the start of the period on the deadline date and I do not accept late listening assignments. This means that if you are not present when I collect them, I will not take your assignment if you arrive late. Moral of the story: Arrive early on due dates!

Also note that there are specific policies regarding what to do if an absence prevents you from being here personally on the due date. The assignment still must be submitted by the deadline, even if you cannot be here, and you have a number of options for ensuring that this happens.

I do not enjoy telling people who are late that I won't take their assignments, but I mean it when I include such a policy on the green sheet, so I am ethically obligated to follow the policy. The good news is that you can miss one assignment with no negative effect on your grade.
[ Discuss]

Monday, April 22, 2013

First Listening Assignment Due This Wednesday
The first of ten weekly "listening assignments" is due at the start of your class this Wednesday, April 24. Please read the specific guidelines and explanations at the "listening assignments" link in addition to reviewing this very basic summary.
Listening assignments are based on a combination of your study of the text and your careful listening to musical examples provided on the recordings that accompany the text. In most cases, in order to provide a competent answer you will need to incorporate both.
Understanding a recorded musical example typically requires focused listening - follow the listening outlines provided in the text as you listen and be prepared to listen more than once in order to hear elements pointed out there.
In a few cases you may be able to simply find a possible answer in the text. If so, do not simply copy the answer from the text. If you do this, you will not get full credit for your answer and you cannot earn an A on your assignment. At a minimum, paraphrase the answer in your own words to demonstrate that you understand the material. (In general, providing uncredited quoted material is regarded as a violation of academic integrity - not a good thing!)
The text often uses the musical examples to illustrate specific things - a musical technique, a form, the use of an instrument, etc. In a number of cases the listening assignment question on the example will focus on that same issue. However, in some cases the question will focus on some other aspect of the music and require you to use your listening skills.
There are a few "rules" about listening assignments that you must be aware of:
Listening assignments are always due at the start of the period, and if you are not present to turn your assignment in when I collect them I will not accept your late assignment. Come to class a bit early on a due date. If you are worried about this, you may also turn your assignment in a day early or you can email me a photograph or scan of the pages of your assignment prior to the deadline.
You do get one "free" assignment. In other words, you may miss one for any reason without penalty since I do not count your lowest listening assignment grade when calculating course grades. If you are late with one or miss one, this will not affect your grade.
I am a stickler for how you assemble and submit the assignment. As you will read elsewhere:
The pages of your assignment must be stapled together or printed back-to-back on a single sheet of paper.
A folded corner, a paper clip, or a bit of tape are not staples. If multiple pages are not stapled together I will return your paper for you to staple it.
You are required to print and answer on the assignment form from the web site. There is a link to each week's assignment in that week's section of the course calendar.
Print your assignment well before the due date so that you don't end up late because you had a printer problem.
You may have questions while you are working on the assignment. I encourage you to ask me about them in class or to email me with your questions - but don't wait until the last minute as I may not be able to reply to your question in time.

Good luck!
[ Discuss]

Preparing For Your Concert Report
As we have noted in class, the Concert Report assignment is not something you can just do at the last minute. You can do a fine concert report, but there are a few challenges to be aware of:
In order to write the paper you must first attend an approved event.
Not all events listed in the Concert List will work for you.
You are likely to have some questions about how to write this since you have probably not written about music in this way before.
Well before the due date (more on what "well before" means below...) you'll need to do the following:
Carefully and thoroughly review the materials linked from the "concert reports" page - the sample report, the format guidelines, the FAQ, etc.
Ask questions about what you read there - it is common to have a few questions.
Well before the due date for the report - typically 2-4 weeks before - identify the concert that you will attend.
Attend that concert no later than the weekends of weeks 3 or 4 of the quarter. (Waiting longer is very dangerous and extensions will not be granted for those who wait until right before the due date to select and attend an event.)
If you have a busy schedule, restrictions on where you can go, need to use public transit to get to concert, can't afford to go to anything but a free or very inexpensive concert... go as early as possible - your options will be more limited.
At the concert:
Be sure to collect and retain your ticket stub and the concert program handed out at the event. (In rare cases these may not be provided. If this occurs, contact me immediately to discuss how to handle the situation.)
Be ready to take some general notes at the event. Be very discreet so that you don't annoy or distract other concert-goers. Either take a very small note pad (recommended) or write on the concert program (not recommended).
Do not try to write everything, but do take some notes that capture the most significant events in each piece, with the goal of being able to construct a narrative of the development of each piece/movement based on describing objective facts about the music.
Right after the concert - preferably the same evening - quickly turn your cryptic notes into complete sentences. This does not need to be high quality writing at this point, but if you don't do this your notes will likely not make much sense to you if you don't come back to them until a week or two later.
While writing the paper...
Be sure that you again review the materials at the Concert Report page. This paper follows a rather specific format.
Write and re-write until your paper concisely and accurately expresses your observations, as per the assignment, in a coherent form.
Proofread and edit your paper to college-level writing standards. (If you are concerned about this, I am willing to review a draft of your paper several days before it is due - typically this means by the middle of the week before the deadline. Set up an appointment for an office visit.)
[ Discuss]

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

First Weekly Quiz Next Monday
Our first weekly quiz is scheduled for the start of class on Monday of week II. With this in mind, I would like to share a few important points and reminders about the quizzes.

The quizzes are based entirely on the previous week's study assignment as listed in the course calendar. So the week II quiz is based on the week I study material from the text and recordings as listed in the online course calendar.
Since the quizzes are based on study material assigned in the text and recordings, the quizzes will include topics that have not been covered in class.
The quizzes normally take only about five minutes and begin immediately at the scheduled start of class - arrive a few minutes early on quiz days so you don't miss the quiz!
As per the course green sheet, you must bring a #2052 Scantron form (or the similar green form) and a #2 pencil. I will NOT have these materials available for you in class.
Quizzes are always closed-book and closed-note.
Quizzes are short, typically including only five or six true/false, multiple choice Scantron questions.
[ Discuss]

Upcoming Office Hour Change
I will likely alter my office hours a bit beginning next week (week II) of the spring term. Currently all of my office hours are at 8:30 a.m., but I would like to also be available at 11:30 a.m. on some days for students who cannot come to campus to meet at the earlier time.
Watch here for an update. [ Discuss]

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

A Thought
Studying music without listening to it is like studying cooking without ever tasting food...
[ Discuss]

Have You Taken Care of These Yet?
Signed up for web site membership? (Remember to enter your first and last names when you sign up.)
Acquired the text and bundled recordings? You really do need this material in order to be successful in the course. (Speak to personally before or after class if you will be unable to acquire the required text and recordings by about this Wednesday.)
Printed out and completed the First Week Survey? This is due at the start of class on Wednesday.
Obtained a notebook for exclusive use in taking notes for Music 1A?
Begun the first-week study assignment as listed in the course calendar?
Reviewed the course calendar for upcoming important dates, but very soon and later in the term?
Read the course green sheet? Let me know if you have questions or concerns.
[ Discuss]

Getting Started in Music 1A: More Details
Thanks for registering for Music 1A: Introduction to Music this quarter. We will get started on class work fairly quickly, so it is critical that you are ready to get to work. I'll discuss this more in class, but here are some things that you need to attend to right away:
Read the course green sheet - see the link in the sidebar at the right side of the page. The green sheet is a contract between you and me and it outlines many important course policies. The green sheet will continue be available online, and I will not provide printed copies. (You may print your own copy from the web site if you wish.)
Review the course calendar - see the link in the sidebar. Study assignments, homework, quizzes, tests, reports, and more are listed in the calendar. The calendar should be regarded as an extension of the green sheet. You are responsible for staying up to date with the calendar. (There is work listed in the calendar that must be completed right away. This work includes joining the web site and completing the first-week survey.)
Review the First week checklist found in the sidebar. It lists a number of important assignments and tasks that you must take care of right away.
Purchase your text book and accompanying recordings immediately if you have not already done so. You cannot succeed in this class without these materials. Speak to me right away if you must delay purchase beyond this Thursday for any reason.
Be aware that it is very risky to try to order a book online once the term has started, especially if you are ordering a used copy. In the past students have encountered serious problems when this led to long delays in receiving the book, getting the wrong text, or getting a copy that did not included the required audio recordings.
Bring note-taking materials to class every day - These include a notebook or binder for this class and writing materials.
Begin studying this week's study assignment (listed in the calendar) right away.
Students who add must use add codes immediately - If I give you an add code, you must complete the registration process prior to the next class unless you and I agree otherwise. Students who get an add code and wait to add will be dropped to make room for other students waiting to add.
As of the day before the start of the term, it appears that there are few open seats in each of my Music 1A sections, in which case I can add some additional students who attend first-week class meetings. So that I may accommodate students trying to add my classes, I will drop enrolled students who do not attend or who miss or are late to class during the first week.

Becoming a Web Site Member (Required)

As per the course green sheet, joining the web site is a course requirement, and that you will be unable to access important online course materials until you complete this process. A few important notes about signing up:
You must provide your real first and last names. (If you sign up without doing so, your membership request will be rejected and you'll have to do it again.)
Let me know right away if you encounter any problems with this process - I can usually help you resolve them quickly.
Since I must manually approve all membership requests, it may be a few hours before yours is finalized.
[ Discuss]