CHECK YOUR D2L GRADES!

PLEASE take a moment to doublecheck your grades in D2L Music App gradebook.

Someone has already notified me of an error, and I want to make sure there aren't any others.

DEADLINE: Tuesday May 7, Noonish - because that's when I'm going to be posting the grades.

Email me or send a message inside D2L if you find an error.

Final Exam, Listening, D2L, etc notes

I've just added in the final exam grades to D2L. You'll notice that the number is different from the one you saw earlier - see the gradebook in D2L for the explanation.


I was incorrect when I stated that the listening would be scored by the computer as a zero - it turns out the computer gave you all 36 points for the listening. This means that your score likely went DOWN after I graded the listening.


The scores are all in the D2L gradebook. If you want to know what your grade for the class will be, download the spreadsheet from D2L and type in your scores. The spreadsheet will tell you!


LISTENING
Some of the listening comments were quite intelligent. Others showed a depressing lack of thought. I was looking for 3 correct statements - each got you 3 points. That's why I mentioned that adding more comments rather than fewer would be a good idea.

Listening #1: "The Meal"
20th C. Yes, a piece of mine created using my youngest son's sounds when he was 4 months old, plus a spoon stirring some sweet tea, plus a burp mangled in a variety of ways to create the drum sounds.

Yes, ALL the drum sounds came from the burp you hear at the end.

Listening #2: Solfigietto Jam
EARLY Classical / Jazz.
From my album Accessible Depth.
Original piece by CPE Bach - then transmogrified into jazz in the studio. CPE was JS Bach's son, and this was written EARLY in the Classical period, so it really has a lot of Baroque characteristics, as several of you commented.

Listening #3: Aleatoric Spring 2013
This was recorded in class a few weeks ago. Shame on you, those who didn't recognize it!
20th C - because of when it was "written", the use of noise as a primary element, the use of chance operations.....

Listening #4: Minimalism Spring 2013
ANOTHER one recorded in class! A minimal amount of musical material. most annoying comments on the test: those referring to "the melody, so that makes it Romantic". THERE WAS NO MELODY!
20th C.

FINAL EXAM GRADES - DO NOT PANIC!

The grades you were emailed from EZTestonline counted the listening scores as a ZERO - because they have to be manually graded.

....and because computers are soooooooooooo stupid.

Watch for your ACTUAL grade in D2L  - it should show up Tuesday afternoon [earlier if I'm lucky!]

Class Recordings...attempt #2!

Apparently Last.fm hosed the uploads for whatever arcane technical reason.

I HAVE uploaded the mp3 files to d2l. Your browser is SUPPOSED to play them when you click on the Class Recordings link in the Content section.

But if it doesn't - OR if you'd like your own personal nonAutographed copy - just click on the zip file. It has all 4 recordings.

The Class Recordings have been posted!

You can listen to them at

http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Rule/Music+Appreciation+Experiments

Feel free to download, use to annoy siblings, pest control, etc.
I've also uploaded the files to D2L - Last.fm is bit flaky this morning.

[You might want to listen to them before the final]

Music Tech Videos

Since we're running short on time I won't be able to really give you an overview of the basic technologies used in recording.

This is NOT part of the final exam - but if you are interested in recording technologies [synths, sampling, MIDI] here's a youtube playlist I've put together about them:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQYzVIKcjEgB2w6AzQTuFGGonm4fnNkmC

---

GRADES - an update

1. Test grades have been posted to D2L [unless you are taking it this Monday, obviously]. See the note associated with test 3, which explains how your score was calculated. We MAY look at the listening Monday.
   
2. ....as has everything else that has been turned in - presentations, concert reports, etc. Those grades are all in D2L as well - I'll put the graded papers in the standard spot Monday.
   
3. There is only about 2 weeks left in the semester. I have had exactly SIX second concert reports turned in. If you only turn in one concert report, you just cost yourself OVER half a letter grade [i.e. 7.5%].
   
4. If you turn in NO concert reports, you cost yourself a letter grade and a half [15%].
   
   WATCH THE DEADLINE FOR GETTING CONCERT REPORTS TURNED IN - see the syllabus.
   
5. I will post the Kamien Connect averages sometime in the next week - hopefully!
   
6. Don't forget that you can add in your own scores to the grade spreadsheet - download it from D2L, type in your grades, and you can see where you stand.
   
7. The recording sounds remarkable. Well done!

That's all for now. Have a weekend!

....one more thing for today's class

Opera: The Internet will make you mad

Multiple Media - which is more important: the song, or the visuals?

A Music Biz double Chomp

1. 40 years of music industry change in 30 seconds
http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2013/20130404forty
Watch the biggest slice change over time - LPs to Cassettes to CDs to.........

2. Harlem Shake Features Unlicensed Samples That Could Cost Baauer and His Label Dearly.
http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2013/20130311shake

Considering that Harlem Shake has been at the top of the Billboard top 100 chart for three weeks (as well as scoring high on charts around the world), and has so far sold 816,000 downloads in the US alone, it's not surprising that Delgado and Musson are seeking compensation from Mad Decent Records, who put the record out last year.

...

Judging from similar previous examples of unlicensed (commonly called uncleared) sample use, the label may have to pay them a large portion of the revenue it has accumulated from the track – including the ad revenue from YouTube, which Billboard has estimated currently stands at about $83,500.

Steve Lukather – guitarist, singer and songwriter with Toto – has spoken about his surprise when he heard his voice on Roger Sanchez's hit "Another Chance".  Sanchez had sampled the first line of the verse from the band's "I Won’t Hold You Back," and it was repeated throughout the song.  As the Toto track was both sung and written by Lukather, he said the final settlement gave him 90% of the royalties Sanchez’s recording accumulated – apparently enough to buy him a house.

Something for class: "Red Bull Stole My Music!"

http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/red-bull-stole-my-music-3-important-lessons-for-indie-artist.html

You might want to.....

• Remember to bring earbuds to the test Monday
• Check the online syllabus for the room location, if you forgot.
• Make a note on which pieces on the CDs are Romantic, and which are 20th C.
• Make a mental note of who composed what piece on the CDs
• Remember which 20th C "-ism" has what musical characteristics and which composer did I associate with it

Just a thought!

Mon Apr 8 - class cancelled

Class cancelled today Mon Apr 8. I really don't want to share this high fever etc with you! See you Wednesday.

Chamber Singers Concert to Feature Swing, U2 and Bandari

The Middle Georgia State College Chamber Singers, directed by Rebecca Lanning, will present their spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in the Arts Complex Rehearsal Hall on the Macon Campus.

The Chamber Singers will be joined by the Middle Georgia State Drumming Ensemble, directed by Miguel Castro, and Robert McTyre, tenor. The music will include everything from swing to U2 to the multi-movement Bandari that features Afro-Caribbean and African rhythms from Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya.

This event is free and open to the public.

http://www.mga.edu/news/newspage.aspx?sqid=59

Just Because It's Monday....

http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/nose/

[No, it has nothing to do with class].

CONCERT COMING UP - Sunday April 14

Warner Robins Community Concert Association

presents

Griffin Choral Arts

The repertoire for the Warner Robins concert will feature John Rutter’s GLORIA and Robert Ray’s GOSPEL MASS, as well as other selected repertoire from Griffin Choral Arts’ sixth season.

Griffin Choral Arts is composed of 50 singers from all over the region, many of whom are music teachers at the elementary, middle, secondary, or college level. The mission of  Griffin Choral Arts is to bring “the best choral music to the community.".

Sunday, April 14, 20133:00 P.M.First United Methodist Church 205 North Davis DriveWarner Robins, GA 31093
Students: FREEAdults: $10 at door
For more information:info@wrconcert.orgwww.wrconcert.org

Personal note:
The Macon State Chamber Singers performed both of these pieces a few years back - VERY COOL stuff. The "Gospel Mass" is exactly what it sounds like. Very enjoyable to perform AND to hear.

Joey Stuckey Band - Friday - MOVED INSIDE

Because of the weather, the Friday 3/22/13 Joey Stuckey Band concert HAS BEEN MOVED to the Cox Capitol Theatre.

6-8 pm, FREE.
We will be selling the CD, of course... and you can get it autographed.
[ooooooooooooh!]


Cox Capitol Theatre
382 Second Street
Macon, GA 31201
478-257-6391

D2L reminders

1. The Calendar has several concerts listed - mostly stuff I lifted from Mercer Music Dept.'s online calendar. These are NOT the only possibilities. Time's a-wasting - better get on it!
   
2. I've updated the gradebook in D2L with Class presentation grades and all the concert reports grades to date.
   
3. I've also added in the absences - the Attendance column has the number of ABSENCES I have recorded for you. Let me know if there is a problem with the number there - best method is to send a D2L email to me.

Test 2 has been graded and posted

Dive over into D2L and check your score.

Concert: Fri March 22

A concert with a Caveat:
[look it up if you don't know what that means!]

Coleman Hill Jazz Concert
Presented by Jones, Cork & Miller
Come early, with blanket and picnic ready for a fantastic evening of music from the Joey Stuckey Band overlooking one of the most beautiful views of Macon, Georgia at night!
6-8 p.m. -  Free admission

The Caveat:
I'm keyboardist for the band - but don't try to be "nice" and butter me up! I want honest writing and opinions, so don't be afraid to write something negative. I grade these based on your writing, NOT whether I agree with your opinions!

Quick notes for a rainy Monday 2/25

Check D2L for

1. Classical powerpoint file
2. Calendar entries for concerts that count. Do NOT assume they are correct, though - things can change since I typed them up!

Test 2 will be RIGHT after Spring break - so don't let your brain go to mush over the break!

Mercer percussion ensemble concert this Friday. It's going to be verrrrry interesting, and fun - and FREE - AND it counts for a concert report. Ya just can't beat that!

Feb 6 class recording posted to D2L

I just posted the recording of the Feb 6 class. Head over to D2L, in the
Music Appreciation class --> Baroque folder.
You'll see the mp3 there, as well as the powerpoint.

Several good concerts coming up - check the D2L calendar [which has several listed - it is NOT everything going on, though. Check the Friday Macon Telegraph!]

Test News

IF you left something in PSC109, it's in my closet office...er...cubbyhole.

The score you saw on EZtest is NOT complete - the listening hasn't been added to it. Your test score will be [questions answered correctly] + [listening score] / 69.. which will give you your score out of 100 points.

Each listening example is worth a half-point each.

Apologies for the blank question. Oh, well, more work for me...D'oh! That one won't count at all on your test score.

When will it be scored? I will be grading them over the next day or so, between lessons and rehearsals and meetings and and and..... I'm hoping to get them posted to the D2L gradebook by end of day Friday.

Have an excellent weekend - See you Monday, ready to dive into the Baroque period!

Pix from Fall 2012 posted

If youa re still on the email list from Fall 2012 - you might like to know that the pix from our recording session have been posted at

http://on.fb.me/VPd3n4

FYI!

Free Concert: Thursday night in Rehearsal Hall

Since "Classical" music is more complex than Popular styles, it is often helpful to know a bit about what you are going to hear, and to actually get familiar with the piece beforehand. It is FAR more interesting that way [and thus it'll be easier to write the concert report!].

Below the graphic are some notes and links.

CONCERT ETIQUETTE

1. If the concert has already started, DO NOT ENTER until you hear applause.
2. TURN OFF THE ELECTRONIC GIZMOS before you enter the room!
3. You generally applause only at the end of the ENTIRE piece [ie. NOT between movements] - thought somebody may go ahead and applaud anyway.
4. This material is extraordinarily difficult, and requires a tremendous amount of concentration by the performer.....so out of respect for the several thousand hours of preparation [yes, that number is correct], do nothing to distract the performer!

The Beethoven Waldstein Sonata is a 3 movement piece - that means that there are 3 primary sections to it, and Dr. Altman will pause in between each one and "reset". Each movement is a difference mood and speed.

Wikipedia article - Youtube search [pick any of them towards the top of the list]

The Stravinsky piece

is renowned for its notorious technical and musical difficulties. All three movements include wild and rapid jumps which span over two octaves, complex polyrhythms, extremely fast scales, multiple glissandos, and tremolos. [Wikipedia]

i.e. you are going to see and hear some incredibly difficult music. Watch Dr.Altman's hands - they will be flying!   Youtube search

Chopin wrote many pieces for piano, most of them shorter in length than the other pieces on this program. These are all meant to capture the character of a moment, as opposed to the epic Beethoven sonata. Mazurkas and Polonaises are Polish folk dances - Chopin has written music that would remind you those dances [if you were Polish!] but that goes well beyond just the simple folk dance music.

• Ballade - recording available on the wikipedia page
• Mazurka
• Polonaise

Kamien Connect problem - FIXED!

If you tried to setup teh Kamien Connect account, and were told that the class was no longer open for registration.......my apologies!

I missed a setting. It has now been [presumably] fixed!

WELCOME TO SPRING 2013

Just a post to get things started for the new semester.

If you're done with the class, you might want to UNSUBSCRIBE to keep your inbox from getting cluttered - there's a link down at the bottom of the email.