TO:



+

TO: Beth Dobkin, Provost

FROM: Mindy Thomas, Chair

Academic Senate

DATE: March 9, 2017

RE: Senate Action S-16/17-36CA

Perfa 116 Keyboard Harmony,

Permanent Approval

At the March 8, 2017 meeting of the Academic Senate, the proposal for permanent approval of Perfa 116, Keyboard Harmony was accepted on the Consent Agenda. This item was approved by the Undergraduate Educational Policies Committee at its February 13, 2017 meeting by a vote of 6-0-0.

This action was assigned Senate Action # S-16/17-36CA.

Attachment

Cc: President James A. Donahue

Dean Sheila Hassell Hughes

Dr. Kathy Porter, Chair

Undergraduate Educational Policies Committee

Saint Mary’s College of California

From:

Dr. Martin Rokeach, Professor

Performing Arts Department

Dear Dr. Porter and Members of the UEPC:

On behalf of the Performing Arts Department in the School of Liberal Arts I am submitting a proposal for experimental course Perfa 116 (.25 credits) to be granted permanent status. We will later be submitting a proposal to make Perfa 116 a requirement for all music majors.

Nov. 17, 2016 statement from School of Liberal Arts Dean Sheila Hughes:

I have reviewed the proposal to make Perfa 116: Keyboard Harmony a permanent .25 course offering.  I have also circulated the proposal to chairs and directors in SOLA, but received no feedback. Thank you for responding to my earlier questions and for making the modest revision to clarify total out-of-class hour commitment from students. I understand that  a proposal involving some more substantial revision to the Music major requirements will be coming forward soon, and that the overall impact will not be to significantly increase the number of credits required.  

Given these facts, I am happy to offer my endorsement of this proposal.

cheers,

Sheila

Oct. 28, 2016 Statement from Performing Arts Department Chair Dana Lawton:

I, and the Department, approve Perfa 116 as a .25 course. Keyboard Harmony should move from Experimental to Permanent Status with the blessing of Perfa.

Thank you,

Dana

1. School of Liberal Arts, Performing Arts Department; Perfa 116 – Keyboard Harmony.

2. Justification for Course

When music faculty members introduced Keyboard Harmony experimentally, we assessed that the music curriculum was strong academically, i.e. in music theory and history, but light regarding teaching students the hands-on skills of being highly functional musicians. Keyboard Harmony significantly addresses this disparity. For example, from their theory courses students will acquire an intellectual understanding of chords, harmony, transpositions and modulations. In Keyboard Harmony their knowledge is transferred from their brains to their fingers on the keyboard. Moreover, musicians often find it necessary to be able to play from an open score, i.e. music for a duo, trio or quartet. This facility is routinely assessed by graduate admission committees and is also necessary in many employment situations such as conducting and teaching. Please note, these skills are important for all musicians -- no matter if they’re singers, wind, or string players -- not just pianists.

3. Objectives for the Course

a. Student Outcomes:After completing Perfa 116, the successful student will be able to:

• demonstrate major and minor scales and arpeggios in 4 octaves

• play block chords

• harmonize simple melodies

• play common chord progressions in every key (a.k.a. Roman numeral analysis)

• demonstrate lead-sheet reading (i.e. jazz or pop or folk-music charts)

• transpose from one key to another

b. How do the Above-Listed Objectives relate to Department Goals?

• As stated in the college catalog, one of the Performing Arts Department’s goals is to build technique for musicians, dancers and actors. Keyboard Harmony most certainly advances this.

4. Assessment

Completion of assignments, often tested by instructor one-on-one.

5. Student Population

Keyboard harmony will be required of all music majors, including pianists. The stronger music minors will be encouraged to take the course.

6. Why Upper-Division?

Keyboard Harmony has a prerequisite of two semesters of Perfa 012, Piano Class; advanced pianists can take the course with permission of the instructor. It is a challenging, rigorous skills-based course, well beyond an introductory level. It requires students to conjoin their cognitive knowledge of music theory with psychomotor facility on the keyboard, a skill that takes hours of practice each week outside the classroom.

7. Relationship to Present Curriculum

As a .25 class, Keyboard Harmony does not impact any full-unit courses. It fits in after students have completed their piano prerequisites.

8. Any Unusual Implementation Costs?

The course has no unusual implementation costs. It must be taught in a room with multiple keyboards. Syufy 210, the College’s digital keyboard room, holds ten instruments plus an eleventh for the instructor and serves very well.

9. Library Resources: See Below

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10. Course Credit and Grading Options

Keyboard Harmony is a .25 academic course. It meets two hours a week, and each hour of class usually requires 45 minutes to 3 hours of practice outside of class, depending on the cognitive and physical facility of the student.

11. Prerequisites, corequisites

As stated in 1a above the course has prerequisites of two semesters of Perfa 012, Class Piano; advanced pianists can take the course with permission of the instructor. It is recommended students take the course either concurrently with or after completing Perfa 114, Music Theory and Ear-Training.

12. Course Description for Catalog

Oriented for music majors and other advanced musicians with moderate facility on piano, Keyboard Harmony teaches students to apply their knowledge of music theory to the keyboard. Students learn to play common chord progressions and accompaniment patterns in all twenty-four major and minor keys, harmonize simple melodies, and discern lead sheets and open scores, as well as learn to transpose easy melodies at sight into various keys. Prerequisites: Two semesters of Perfa 012.

13. Syllabus attached.

14. Review of Experimental Offerings

The course was offered experimentally twice and has been very successful. Students found it very challenging, but all were pleased with the musical result. No significant modifications are planned.

Saint Mary’s College Performing Arts 116

Spring 2016 Keyboard Harmony

Instructor: Sharon Lee Kim Office Hours: By Appointment

Syl1@stmarys-ca.edu 510-529-5779

Mondays & Wednesdays 9:15am–10:20am

Course Description & Objectives

Keyboard Harmony is an advanced course for serious musicians- both pianists and non-pianists. Not only will this course refine your skills on the piano, it will allow you to become a more well-rounded and independent musician, and give you practical and applicable tools to help you succeed as a young professional musician.

This class is geared toward music majors/minors.

Throughout the semester, you will learn:

- Technique: body posture, alignment, movement, form, natural weight, fingering,

- Theory: a thorough review of staff reading, terminology, rhythm, of all major and minor scales and arpeggios in 4 octaves, blocked chords, harmonization, dictation, roman numeral analysis, basic composition,

- Application: open-score reading (2 part, 3 part, and 4 part choral and instrumental), lead-sheet reading, sight-reading, and repertoire mastery.

Class time is typically divided into group time and individual time at the piano.

Requirements for this course: Prerequisite of PERFA 012, both Beginning and Intermediate Piano) and/or Instructor’s Recommendation are required.

Regular practice is essential to your success in this course. Both individual and group practice are encouraged.

Required Materials:

Textbook: Practical Theory Complete: A Self-Instruction Music Theory Course by Sandy Feldstein. (This workbook can be easily purchased online at . (~$12.95)

Additionally, your instructor will give you handouts of ALL necessary materials: a compilation of theory worksheets, music scores (excerpts only), Piano exercises, etc.

Music manuscript paper is required as well as a notebook (spiral bound or binder). Manuscript paper is available to purchase at the bookstore, or visit for free printable paper.

Grading:

Knowing each individual’s different level of keyboard background and technique, realistic goals and expectations will be given strategically. Students must show commitment and effort.

Students will begin the semester with an “A”, with this grade lowered according to absences, tardies, and effort. 2 absences and up to 4 tardies from class are excused each semester. Beyond 2 absences and 4 tardies, your grade will be lowered.

• Attendance, and quality of participation

along with the success of each weekly practice 50%

• Short Assignments

(Both written and at the piano) 30%

and

Midterm Evaluation Appointment

(One-on-one evaluations with the instructor to assess progress and growth)

• Final Exam 20%

A combination of skills learned throughout the semester will be demonstrated at the piano.

Additional Information

Pianos in the classroom are not available for practice. However, practice rooms on the 2nd floor of Syufy Hall are available for your use. With a deposit, you can rent a key from Nora Encinas, Administrator of the Performing Arts Department. Her office is in LeFevre Hall.

Student Disability Services extends reasonable and appropriate accommodations that take into account the context of the course and its essential elements for individuals with qualifying disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Student Disability Services Office at (925) 631-4358 or sds@stmarys-ca.edu to arrange a confidential appointment to discuss accommodation guidelines and available services. Additional information regarding the services available may be found at the following address on the Saint Mary’s website: .

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