MUS 305 – Introduction to Music Technology                                           MFA 116

Spring 2002                                                                                                MWF tba

Instructor:            Dr. Rick Davies                        Office:              MFA 231

Telephone:            564-2471

Email:               rick.davies@plattsburgh.edu

Office Hours:            tba

Prerequisite: completion of MUS 120,  MSM 118, or satisfactory score on proficiency test administered by instructor.

Required Materials

Williams, David B. and Webster, Peter R., Experiencing Music Technology.  Second edition.  Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1999. CD included.

Reserved List:  Various computer programs and manuals.

Course Description

MUS 305 is an overview of the various aspects of music technology. Topics discussed include: computer proficiency, MIDI, computer based music notation, sequencing, digital audio recording and editing, music and the Internet, and current trends in music technology.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will :

·        have an understanding of basic computer skills.

·        be exposed to computer based musical technologies.

·        identify current and future trends in music technologies.

·        be knowledgeable of the vocabulary of music technology.

·        know how to search the internet for music related information.

·        have extensive hands on experience with various music technology software and hardware  applications. 

Attendance

DO NOT MISS CLASS.  Your absence will affect your ability to master the material and will handicap class discussion and performance.  Your absences will be considered excused in the case of illness or emergency and only when the instructor is notified in advance.  Either speak with me or leave a message on my voicemail.  No quizzes or examinations will be rescheduled because of unexcused absences.  Excessive absences may adversely affect your final grade.

Expectations

·        Lab times: You should expect to work in the music lab during non-class times at least 2 hours a week to complete projects. This is when your major skill development will occur. It is recommend that you schedule this time into your calendar on a regular basis to make ongoing progress on projects.

·        Projects: You will be given assignments in the form of projects that should be completed by a due date.

Grading

The final grade will be based upon the following criteria:

1.                  Daily classwork and homework             25%

2.                  Examinations                                       25%

3.                  Projects                                               50%

It is vital that daily assignments be completed submitted on time.  Late homework will not be accepted on or after the day that graded assignments are returned.  There will be no makeup work, except in the event of an extreme emergency.  In-class assignments cannot be made up.  If you miss a class, you are responsible for homework that is assigned that day.  You should get the assignment from the instructor or a reliable member of the class.  All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the designated day.  All written work should be done in pencil.