MUTC121 Music Theory for Musical Theater I

Shenandoah Conservatory, Spring 2017

Course Syllabus

Meeting Time: M-F 10:00-10:50AM

Ruebush 128
Professor: Michael Maher mmaher@su.edu
Office: Ruebush 129-D
Office Hours: MW 9-10, TTh 11AM-Noon. Other times by appointment

Course Description: An introduction to counterpoint, tonal harmony, and phrase structure for
musical theatre performers. Concepts are addressed through reading assignments, written workbook
assignments, and repertoire analysis.

Course Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Music Theory Entrance Examination, or

successful completion of MUTC 099.

Foundation: With regard to Shenandoah Universitys mission statement, this class provides students
with a fundamental vocabulary, which will develop their abilities in the areas of critical thinking (and
listening), thereby enabling their personal artistic development. The mission statement of the MUTC
core curriculum: The purpose of all music theory courses at Shenandoah Conservatory is to give
students the ability to engage critically and intelligently with music of the Western world so they may
understand the processes through which it creates meaning.

MUTC 121 fulfills this mission statement by introducing students the concepts that will allow them to
make meaningful distinctions in their musical study, and by giving them the vocabulary to articulate
those distinctions intelligently.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify and write key signatures, scales and triads

2. Aurally identify basic diatonic harmonies and perceive harmonic rhythm in simple
examples
3. Identify chords by chord symbol
4. Recognize and analyze basic phrase structure, including cadences
5. Compose short rhythmic and melodic phrases over given harmonies
6. Compose a simple diatonic AABA form song

Instructional Materials: loose leaf staff paper (for graded exercises during class time), spiral bound
manuscript book (for note taking), pencils, and the following texts:
Franceschina, Music Theory Through Musical Theater
The Singers Musical Theatre Anthology Baritone/Bass v. 1
The Singers Musical Theatre Anthology Mezzo Soprano v. 1

SU Grading System:
A 93-100% A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89% B 83-86% B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79% C 73-76% C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69% D 60-66% F <60%

Graded components: There are 4 graded components in the class: Homework assignments, given
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generally on a weekly basis, timed music literacy quizzes given every other week, a mid-term exam
and a final exam.
Grade Breakdown:
Quizzes: 30%
Homework: 30%
Mid-term exam 20%
Final Exam: 20%

Attendance Policy: Because regular class attendance is essential to grasping a firm practical
knowledge of the basic principles of music theory, students who miss more than 4 of the scheduled
class meetings will have two percentage points deducted from their final averages per additional
absence! (maximum penalty = 10 pts.) Students will not be penalized for absences due to school-
sponsored events for which an authorized representative of the University gives prior notification. Be
aware that a note from the Health Clinic or your doctor that specifies the need to miss class is
necessary in order to make-up any missed work due to illness or to have the absence recorded as
excused.

Tardiness:

Arriving to class late on a regular basis is disruptive to those who have arrived on time. A student is
tardy 3 minutes after class has started and 3 instances of tardiness will be treated as 1 absence.

Students in the Music Theater program often desire to attend auditions outside of the University.
These are not considered excused absences. As each student is allowed 4 unexcused absences, regular
attendance during the semester allows leeway to miss class without penalty should these opportunities
arise.
In all cases, students need to complete homework on time. Students are also responsible for all
material presented in class whether in attendance or not.

Course Materials: All students are required to have all texts, anthologies and music writing materials
with them at every class unless specifically directed otherwise by the instructor. After the first week of
class, students who do not have the required texts in class will be dismissed and be counted as absent
for the class.

Technology Policy: There is no musical equivalent for word processing: writing music is faster by
hand than with a computer and is likely to remain so for a long time. Students are asked to keep
laptops and iPads in their bags. Using a smart phone is uncivil and disturbs both the instructor and
other students. Students are also asked to keep smart phones in their bags. Use of any electronic
device during exams or quizzes will automatically be considered cheating and referred to the honor
committee. Exemptions will be made only with presentation of paperwork regarding accommodations
because of disability.

Health and Academic Responsibilities: Students are expected to maintain a state of health to
function in the instruction offered. Proper nutrition, adequate rest and exercise form the basis for a
positive state of health. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the services offered by
Shenandoah University designed to facilitate positive health and successful academic progress.

Make-up policy: It is up to students to make up all missed work (e.g., homework assignments,
quizzes, drills) due to excused absences. Missed quizzes or tests must be made up within one week of
any excused absence. Missed quizzes due to unexcused absences can not made up. Scheduling a time
with the instructor for any make up is the students responsibility.

Homework is due at the beginning of the specified class period. Homework received after that time
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will receive half of earned grade. Work that is more than 24 hours late will not be accepted.

Academic Integrity: Every member of the SU community is responsible for knowing and
upholding the Honor Code. I do not tolerate dishonesty (e.g. plagiarism, giving or receiving assistance
during an evaluation) in any form. If I detect any form of academic dishonesty, I will prosecute to the
fullest extent allowed by the universitys Honor Code.

Homework is graded and must be each individuals own work.

About Collaboration on Homework

I want students to share their knowledge and help classmates master the often difficult content of this
course. However, it is also critical that I can assess students individually. While you are encouraged to
discuss general issues, invent sample problems to work on together, and generally commiserate about
the course, you cannot collaborate on homework. Nearly every semester, I instigate Honor Court
proceedings after finding two or more identical responses to homework. Its a bad experience for
everyone involved.

Students with Disabilities: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination
against individuals with disabilities. Under ADA, a disability is defined as a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. If you need accommodations because of a
disability, please register with the Office of Learning Resources and Services (located in the
Academic Enrichment Center in Howe Hall, room 204) at the beginning of each semester, or as soon
as possible, so that arrangements can be made. Accommodations are granted on a case-by-case basis
with the support of proper documentation. Please call the office of Learning Resources and Services at
540-665-4928 or email dss@su.edu for information and/or to make an appointment to discuss your
needs. You will find more information at: http: //www.student- life.su.edu/disability-services/

Student Complaint Policy: Shenandoah University affirms the right of students to bring forth
complaints and is committed to resolving these matters in a fair, equitable and timely manner, so as to
protect the rights of both the individual and the community. Refer to the student catalog for specific
procedures.

Student Privacy: Annually, Shenandoah University provides information to students concerning their
rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA). This act
was designed to protect the privacy of education records and afford students certain rights with respect
to their education records. Refer to the student catalog for specific procedures.

Student Support Services:

The Library online materials are available 24/7:
http://www .su.edu/university-libraries/
The IC Help Desk are available 24/7:
https://workorder.su.edu/helpdesk/
The Counseling resources are available at:
http://www .student-life.su.edu/counseling-center-home/

Online Music Theory Resources

www.musictheory.net www.good-ear.com www.gmajormusictheory.org www.teoria.com
www.musicards.net www.emusictheory.com www.mymusictheory.com
www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/johnito/music_theory/
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MUTC 121 Course Outline

Week 1: Review scales and key signatures

Week 2: Review scales, key signatures

Week 3: Review Intervals

Week 4: Meter & Rhythm

Week 5: Triads

Week 6: Triads -Introduction to lead-sheet notation

Week 7: Functional relationships & the phrase model; Triads in Keyboard voicing

Week 8: Midterm review/exam

Week 9: Break

Week 10: Seventh chords and the dominant seventh

Week 11:Cadences

Week 12: Triads in first inversion, phrase study. Analysis

Week 13: Seventh chords in various inversions, phrase study with cadences

Week 14: AABA song structure

Week 15:Song structure

Week 16:review for Final

Homework Assignments
(see Canvas for Due dates)

Assignment 1: Scales & Key Signatures (compose a short melody)

Assignment 2: Intervals (compose a short melody)
Assignment 3: Meter & Rhythm 1 (Horvit graph)
Assignment 4: Meter & Rhythm 2 (transcribe excerpts, compose rhythm exercises, set lyric to rhythm)
Assignment 5: Triads (Intro to Keyboard voicing, compose an 8 bar melody with given chord
structure)
Assignment 6: Triads & Phrase Structure (Keyboard voicing, chord symbols, set text to rhythm, Try to
Remember analysis)

Midterm

Assignment 7: Seventh Chords

Assignment 8: Cadences
Assignment 9: Inversion of Triads/composing an 8 bar phrase
Assignment 10: Inversion of 7th chords, harmonizing a melody
Assignment 11: Composing an AABA song.
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