Tests (65%). Five examinations, which together will make up 65% of your final grade, will be administered on Canvas. Each examination will require you to identify excerpts from the works on the recordings by title and composer, and to answer questions about these works and composers as well as other concepts discussed in the recorded lectures and in the textbook. As this is an online course,
Honorlock (a proctoring program) will be used to ensure testing procedures are followed.
Here is a link to a guide on how to properly prepare for and use Honorlock.
Concert Attendance (15%). Over the course of the semester you are required to view a total of five concerts, recitals, or other musical events sponsored by the SUU Music Department. As you select performances to view, keep in mind the following:
- These performances must be sponsored by the SUU Music Department.
- These performances must be from the current semester (Spring 2026).
- These performances must be viewed live either in person or by livestream.
- Any exceptions to these guidelines must be approved through me before viewing the performance.
A tentative schedule of these events will be available on Canvas, but since this schedule is subject to change you will be responsible to confirm the details of a performance ahead of time. (Programs for Music Department performances are available
here or at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1o6S7Jf3O0fNvvIwxBHh9-0QA6CETtfq3).
Though this is an online course, you may certainly attend these concerts in person. If you are unable to attend in person, you may select from the many live-streamed performances via the Department’s
Live Stream page (https://www.suu.edu/pva/music/concerts.html). A calendar of upcoming performances is available
here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RnlLrIgnyjtS6j12dSyuSDznzcZn732sYsQC2z0zJZo/edit?tab=t.0).
In exceptional circumstances you may substitute other collegiate- or professional-level performances (no middle school or high school performances will be permitted), but only with my
prior approval. Also, I will accept no more than two events in which you participate as a performer.
On or before the last day of class you will submit via Canvas a list of the five performances you viewed; this list should include the date of the performance and the name(s) of either the ensemble or (in the case of solo recitals) the individual performer(s).
Concert Reviews (20%). For three of the performances attended, you will submit a review of approximately 500 of your own words in addition to listing them as one of your five viewed performances.
Each review must include the following information:
- Date
- Location of the performance
- The name(s) of the ensemble or individual performer(s)
- The titles of the music numbers.
The body of your review should:
- Follow basic guidelines for academic writing (introductory paragraph, concluding paragraph, spelling, grammar, etc.)
- Contain your response to each piece performed.
- Utilize vocabulary covered in this course.
Your review should not:
- Be written using AI. Trust me it is not worth it. 500 of your own words about music you have listened to is not very much.
- Make blanket statements you are unqualified to make and which you do not have time (only 500 words!) to back up such as (in this actual paraphrase from an earlier semester), "The singer demonstrated perfect vocal technique and that they have learned everything they need to about singing."
None of the performances you review may be events in which you participate as a performer. Your reviews will be submitted via Canvas throughout the semester on or before the date given in the syllabus for each review.
Grading Policy
100–93 % | A
92–90 % | A-
89–87 % | B+
86–83 % | B
82–80 % | B-
79–77 % | C+
76–73 % | C
70–72 % | C-
69–67 % | D+
66–63 % | D
63–60 % | D-
59% and below | F