MUSI 4360 Chamber Music Literature Instructor - Clay Shotwell, Ph.D.

Chamber Music Links

Textbooks: (required)

Guide to Chamber Music  by Melvin Berger.

Guide to Sonatas: Music for One or Two Instruments  by Melvin Berger.
 

Course Objectives

To gain a comprehensive survey of chamber music styles, history and knowledge of repertoire from the Baroque period to the 20^th century.

Attendance and Class Preparation

You are expected to come to each class prepared. Since this class meets for two hours each week, you are allowed to miss up to three class sessions without penalty. Recurrent tardiness will be counted as an absence after the first ten minutes of class. A fourth absence will affect your final grade. Absence beyond this will result in your being dropped from the course (W before Midterm, WF After Midterm. To excuse an absence, I require a doctor's notice, an accident report, or other written evidence of your problem. Your written excuse must be presented to me within three school days of your return to school, or I will not accept it. If at all possible, notify me before your anticipated absence. No makeup tests for the Midterm or Final Exam will be given without an approved written excuse.

Course Requirements

You will be required to keep a notebook into which you log each piece that is covered in class. You will list the title and composer of the work, plus a list of all movements. You will also indicate the duration of the work. Also, include special comments about the particular piece with reference to it's history or formal structure. I will periodically ask to see your notebook, and will grade you on how up to date you are. This notebook will not include your class notes; this notebook is intended to be a reference guide to you after this course is completed.

Written/Oral Projects

You will be assigned at least two specific works during the semester on which you will prepare a written and oral report. This report will be given to the class on an assigned date, and you will be responsible for obtaining a recording for the class to listen to. In addition to your oral report, you will turn in a type-written version of your report to me at the conclusion of that class hour. In these reports, you will tell the history of the piece, and point out any interesting stylistic or formal aspects. We will discuss in class how to prepare the report and what format the written report will take.

You will be tested on all material presented in class and any reading assignments that are made. Listening will also be a part of all exams. You will be responsible for identifying different works covered in class.

Grading:   90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 and below=F

               Exams: Midterm            20%

                                 Final           20%

                 Written/Oral Reports   40%

                Class Participation       20%

                                                   100%

Listening List: Pieces covered in class will be chosen from the following: (Click on the Composer name (in blue) for biographical information)