Course

Ear Training & Sight Singing IV

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course Code
MUSC 2415
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
20
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
This course provides development of aural and sight singing skills with a focus on more complex melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements of tonal music, including chromaticism, modulation and asymmetrical metres.
Course Content
  1. Aural Recognition
    • Melodies in various phrase groupings including double periods, with chromatic tones, and modulation to closely- and distantly-related keys.
    • Modulating melodies in two-part textures.
    • Soprano and bass factors, quality, and position of chords in progressions which include: borrowed chords, the Neapolitan Sixth chord, augmented sixth chords, and modulation.
    • Complex rhythmic patterns including asymmetrical and changing meters.
  2. Sight Performance
    • Melodies which contain more complex rhythms, chromatic tones, and modulations.
    • Complex rhythmic exercises including irregular beat divisions.
  3. Musicianship Skills Performance
    • Modulating melodic fragments.
    • Broken chord patterns.
    • Ensemble exercises emphasizing multi-part awareness including canons and sing-and-plays.
    • Use of Curwen hand signs and conducting patterns.
Learning Activities

Presentation of concepts, demonstration of learning strategies and modelling of skills by the instructor, integrated with drills and practice exercises by the students.  Skill reinforcement through assigned use of auxiliary resources.

Means of Assessment

The course evaluation is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.

Sight and Musicianship Skills Tests (minimum 4, with no test weighing more than 15%)  40%
Melodic, Rhythmic and Harmonic Dictation Tests (minimum 4, with no test weighing more than 15%)  50%
Weekly homework assignments 10%
TOTAL 100%

N.B.: This course includes final testing worth more than 10% during the last 14 days of classes. A standing variance to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy was granted by Education Council on March 21, 2011.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the successful student will demonstrate satisfactory skill and musicianship in aural recognition and performance of tonal melodies, harmonies and rhythms, as outlined in Course Content.

Students will be expected to: 

  1. Sing prepared and unprepared (or "sight") drills, exercises and compositions;
  2. Interpret and respond to visual cues (e.g., Curwen hand signs, conducting patterns, notated rhythms and melodies);
  3. Use Curwen hand signs while singing;
  4. Demonstrate conducting patterns while articulating rhythmic exercises;
  5. Hear musical material and retain it in working memory;
  6. Provide written answers to demonstrate aural recognition;
  7. Manage performance anxiety in order to execute required listening, singing and rhythmic tasks in both group and one-on-one settings, within established time limits.
Textbook Materials

The latest editions of required texts, such as the following:

Ear Training Textbook

  • Karpinski, Gary S. Manual for Ear Training and Sight Singing (with recordings). New York:  W. W. Norton.  

Sight Singing Textbook

  • Berkowitz, Sol, Gabriel Fontrier, Leo Kraft, Perry Goldstein and Edward Smaldone. A New Approach to Sight Singing. New York:  W. W. Norton.

Requisites

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MUSC 2415
Athabasca University (AU) AU MUSI 2XX (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO MUSC 215 (1.5)
Emily Carr University of Art & Design (EC) No credit
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MUSI 2451 (2)
North Island College (NIC) No credit
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU GE 1XX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU MUSC 2XXX (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV MUSC_V 206 (1)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC MUS 270B (1) & UVIC MUS 2XX (0.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC MUSC 2401 (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU MUSC 2nd (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
20
Currently Enrolled
10
Remaining Seats:
10
On Waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3411
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
13:20
Section Notes

This course is restricted to Music Diploma and Foundation for Music Therapy students.