Theory and Musicianship II

DESCRIPTION:
In this course students will further engage in the study of music theory and its relationship to musical practice. The main focus will be on tonal harmonic structures in Western classical and popular music, including diatonic and simple chromatic progressions, seventh chords, secondary dominants, nonchord tones, simple modulations, principles of melodic composition, species counterpoint, and an introduction to instrumentation. Students will further develop foundational musical competenciesin listening, score reading, interaction with lead-sheets, harmonic analysis, elementary composition, and keyboard skills.

RATIONALE: 
This is the second in a four-semester sequence of courses, which provide students with a solid basis of knowledge and skills necessary for understanding and creatively applying the key theoretical concepts of Western classical and popular music. The course enhances the understanding of music as an organized art form and provides the ground for further musical study, enabling students to link theoretical and practical aspects of music through a variety of learning modes.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After successfully completing this course students should be able to:
1. demonstrate understanding of key concepts in melodic and harmonic structures of tonal music, and identify them in written musical context.
2. apply principles of melodic composition, tonal harmony and rudimentary counterpoint in creative written projects.
3. utilize Roman numeral/figured bass system and lead-sheet symbols in order to provide a harmonic analysis of a given tonal composition.
4. demonstrate aural skills by identifying elements of harmony and pitch organization through listening.
5. demonstrate musicianship skills at the keyboard showing understanding of taught theoretical concepts at a practical level.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- Class lectures combined with demonstration of musical examples at the piano and use of supportive audio-visual material (including class discussions and group work)
- In-class music writing and score reading activities, and regular homework which is reviewed in class
- In-class listening, and ear training activities, including solfege, dictation and transcribing, which is further practiced as homework
- Practical implementation of theoretical ideas at the keyboard through guided group and individual practice in the environment of a piano lab
- Student practice sessions at the online learning centres of recommended resources, which are designed to reinforce taught material
- Office hours: students are encouraged to make full use of their instructor’s office hours, where they can ask questions, see their assigned work results and/or go over lecture material
- Use of a learning management system (Blackboard) where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, announcements and additional resources
- Support from the Student Academic Support Services (SASS), who offer one-to-one and group workshop sessions to support the development of academic and study skills.