Composition Studio - Syllabus

Contact: Dr. Joseph Harchanko, D.M.A.

phone: 503-838-8874

email: harchanko@wou.edu       

website: http://www.wou.edu/~harchanj

Office hours are posted at http://www.wou.edu/~harchanj/schedule.htm

Appointments may be requested for any free time

Objectives: The goal of all composition courses is to complete an entire work by the end of the semester that shows growth in compositional technique. (Under some circumstances, you may complete only a movement, or even a section, of a larger piece, provided that that movement or section is structurally complete and might be able to stand on its own as a composition.) The length of that work will be determined in the fist lesson and will be based on the scope of the compositional resources (i.e.- symphonic score vs. solo work) and the student’s level of experience.  Students of acoustic and/or electronic composition are expected to present significant progress every week.

Over the course of the semester, I will give specific composition assignments only if you request them, or if you are having trouble composing music on your own, unguided. You are required to listen to and analyze music over the course of the semester as a way of investigating musical materials and composition techniques used by other composers (see below).

Students are required to attend the weekly composition seminar Fridays at 11:00 and all composition recitals (unless otherwise excused for ensemble conflicts) in addition to their weekly lessons.  Additionally, students are expected to have one work performed each term, unless otherwise excused (naturally, first semester composition students are exempt from this requirement).

Grading: The final work must be submitted by the first day of scheduled exams.  The following guidelines are used for assessing the final work:

A : Work exhibits exceptional growth, expression, and technical ability such as orchestration.  Presentation is professional and the score is well documented with expression marks, tempos, etc.

B : Work fulfills minimum length requirement and shows better than satisfactory  technical competence.  Presentation includes expression marks, but is not sufficiently notated. 

C : Work is of significant length, but possibly less than the minimum length requirement.  Work shows some competence, but little growth.  Technical problems may exist or notation may be poor or incomplete.

D : Work falls short of above requirements.  Notation is poor and incomplete.  Work lacks growth and competence in technical abilities.

F : Work is significantly short of length requirement.  Notation beyond notes is missing.  Presentation is poor.  Work shows no growth and multiple technical problems.

The final grade will be based on the following:

20% weekly progress grades

10% performance of work (if applicable)

10% attendance of weekly composition seminar and recitals

10% listening assignment (see below)

50% assessment of final work

Grading will be done on the following standard:

93-100             A

 90-92               A-

87-89               B+

83-86               B

80-82               B-

77-79               C+

73-76               C

70-72               C-

67-69               D+

63-66               D

60-62               D-

59 and below   F

Those uncomfortable with the creative process, including the exposition and criticism of their creative works, should consider their enrollment in these courses carefully.  Students must be prepared to offer and accept criticisms positively.

Attendance:  In the event of an absence, contact the professor immediately by email and by calling his office phone.  If the absence is foreseeable, give notice before the absence occurs at the earliest possible time.  There are no unexcused absences permitted and students failing to attend lessons without a written excuse or prior notification will receive a failing grade for that week. If you have not composed enough music for us to be able to discuss it for at least a half an hour, I would appreciate a call or an e-mail warning me of that at least 24 hours in advance. That way I can find other music for us to look at for that hour.

Email: Students are required to maintain and check their WOU email accounts regularly.  Information sent to a WOU account is assumed to have been received and read within a 24-hour period.  Students are responsible for any such information.  Alternate email accounts will not be substituted.  You may be able to create an automatic forwarding command to your preferred email system.  Check with UCS for details.

Cheating and Plagiarism:  Students should refer to the student handbook concerning university policy on cheating and plagiarism.  Violations will not be tolerated.  Students wishing to use another's work must site it properly. Students caught plagiarizing or cheating will, at minimum, be given a zero for their work.  Additional disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the University may be pursued.

Materials:  All work should be saved and backed up.  Digital information does not exist unless it is saved in at least two locations.  Data loss for any reason is not an excuse.  YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Professor-student contract: Your education is your responsibility.  It is my sincerest desire to facilitate the learning process.  Please do not hesitate to see me should you need help or should you have any desire to discuss class materials, classroom environment, or any element of the learning process or subject matter at hand. Only you can guarantee your success, but you will find it much easier if you seek help.  Remember that I am here to help you do the work necessary to achieve your goals.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

College life often places many stresses upon students.  Western Oregon University offers support for students' well being.  All students having difficulty coping with any part of academic life are encouraged to make use of these resources. 

Music Listening Requirement – electroacoustic: Over the course of the semester, you will be assigned to listen to 8 pieces which will be made available to you. You will be expected to listen to each piece several times and be prepared to come in and discuss with me what you discovered about the piece.  No written work is required.

Music Listening Requirement - acoustic: Over the course of the semester, you should select at least 8 of the pieces listed below. (You can substitute a different piece or pieces with my advance approval.) You will be expected to listen to each piece several times (both with and without following the score), and be prepared to come in and discuss with me what you discovered about the piece. No written work is required.

Music Listening List (acoustic):