LSMSA Course Syllabus
MU 213 – Music Composition
TBA; Room 109A [Prudhomme]
Dr. Al Benner (318) 357-3231
Room 109A - office hours as posted on office door or on website
abenner@lsmsa.edu

COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES
To gain knowledge and comprehension of basic composition in both common practice period and beyond.  We will focus mainly on melody writing—what are the elements of successful melodies; how to expand melodies; and what techniques go into both.  This will include, but is not limited to, the structure and form of pieces, ear-training, score reading and analysis, new types of scales and tonality, and 20^th-century techniques.  Proper preparation in the above will aid the student in beginning to write original music and effective compositions.  It will also be beneficial in the performance of music.  The student will be given the opportunity to be challenged; to develop musical skills that will express his/her abilities that will aid in future instrumental and/or vocal playing, and will be beneficial in other music courses.

MATERIALS
Pencil, paper and manuscript paper brought to each class.
Your text book must be brought to each class.

TEXT
Ottman, Robert W.: Elementary Harmony: Theory and Practice, 5th ed. OR
Benjamin, Thomas, Horvit, Michael, and Nelson, Robert: Techniques and Materials of Tonal Music, 3rd ed.
The Instructor will also provide individual music sheets and worksheets as needed.
This is your textbook from the appropriate Music Theory course.  You must be in a Music Theory course to be in Composition.

EXAMINATIONS AND GRADING
Specifics about grading procedures will be discussed in class by the Instructor. In general:

• The Instructor expects material to be learned in a timely manner.  Most of the time we will be doing melody and/or harmonic writing.  This must be prepared before class meets.
• There may be listening assignments outside of class period.  It is the responsibility of the student to do the listening and be prepared to recognize either all or excerpts from a particular piece.  Listening identification will be either a part of a major exam or presented as a separate quiz.
• Depending upon the number of semesters you taken Composition, the actual requirements and number of pieces will vary.  For the initial semester, there will be a minimum of two pieces—a solo instrumental piece in the 1^st grading period and a more complex piece for the 2^nd grading period.  This will be discussed in detail when the time arises.  For those students who have already had a semester of Composition, more complex pieces will be assigned based on the student’s interest and the school’s need.
• Students will also be given a grade for each grading period (1^st and 2^nd) based on their class preparedness and participation.
• Students are required to attend at least two classical musical performances during the semester and discuss those concerts during the next class meeting. 
• At the discretion of the Instructor, a positive SEF can be given for either exceptional work or a negative SEF for behavior that is disruptive or refusal to participate in class requirements or assignments.  These SEFs will be used for students whose grade is "on the fence."  It is possible that multiple SEFs will lower your final grade.
• There will be a final exam based on the concepts and composers we discuss in class or a final project.  This will be discussed further as the time approaches.

For your pieces and class grade, you will be given a letter grade of A, B, C, or D. The Instructor may add pluses or minuses (i.e., B+) for his own use, however, your final grade will not carry a plus or minus. (i.e., if you are listed as a B+, you will get a B).  The projects, both 9 weeks class grade and the final exam carry equal weight.

ATTENDANCE
Students must adhere to the LSMSA attendance policy.  Failure to attend a class will be reported on the attendance report.  The administration and/or the school nurse, not the Instructor, will determine whether or not an absence is excused.  If you do miss a class for any reason, it is your responsibility to contact a classmate to know what took place during your absence and to prepare for any class assignment or exam that will take place upon you return.  Unexcused absences will result in a minus for any class assignment you missed.  Attendance is taken at the beginning of class.  If you enter after attendance is taken, you will be marked tardy.  Three unexcused tardies are considered as one absence.  You are tardy once class begins.  Tardiness is especially disruptive because your individual part is important to an ensemble.  If you are tardy, it is your responsibility to get the material you missed from a classmate.

LIFE PHILOSOPHY
Do what is right even if it is unpopular.
Take responsibility for your actions.
Don't let others think for you.
There is always a choice.
Be true to yourself.

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