Time and Place: 12:20-1:10, MWF, Squires 162
Instructor: Prof. John R. Howell
Office: 160 Squires (Ground Floor, Music Wing)
Office Hours: E-mail 24 hours a day: John.Howell@vt.edu. In person by appointment.
Telephone: Office 231-8411; Department 231-5685; Home 953-1928.

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Course Objectives	Course Materials
Course Specifics	Web Requirements
Evaluation & Grading

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• This is an upper-level undergraduate music literature course that concentrates on the literature and musical styes of music composed for choral ensembles. It is designed for undergraduate music majors who have completed the Freshman Music Theory sequence and the Sophomore HAMS courses successfully, but music minors and other interested students are welcome with the permission of the instructor. The ability to read music in score and experience in analyzing musical examples are prerequisites.
  
• Please note that this course is listed in the Timetable of Classes as "Vocal Music Literature," and the description in the new University Catalog includes solo vocal literature and opera as well as choral literature. This is not correct. This course will concentrate on choral literature, as originally approved by the Departmental Curriculum Committee.
  
• This course has been designated by the Music Department as a "writing-intensive" course.
  
• This course is taught under the tradition of the Honor System and the procedures of the University Honor Code. Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable, and suspected instances will be turned over to the Student Honor Court for investigation and resolution.
  
• One set of recordings (and scores) is required for this class, and there will be additional listening assignments to be carried out in the CAM Center of the Library. All listening is to be done before the last class in each set of class meetings designated in the Course Calendar.
  
• Regular, on-time class attendance is expected and attendance will count toward the final grade. Certain classes are absolutely required, and absense will be severely penalized. Missed assignments and quizzes may be turned in in advance, but may not be made up unless absence is excused by the instructor in advance, or unless serious illness or family emergency is documented by a doctor's note or similar document. Tours by Music Department ensembles are excused as long as arrangements are made in advance. Contact the instructor in advance either in person, by e-mail, or by voicemail.
  
• Students are required to have an e-mail account and to provide the instructor with an e-mail address no later than Friday, August 25. A class e-mail list will be set up allowing any student to communicate with the instructor and allowing the instructor to communicate with any or all students. Always put 3134 and nothing else in the "subject" line so the instructor can identify class posts and deal with them immediately. NOTE: If you are using a Microsoft program for your email, please make sure that the Preferences are set so that it is sending your messages as plain ASCII text, and not as HTML code. Otherwise they will arrive blank. This was a special problem last year.
  
• Students are also required to have Internet access. The instructor's homepage can be found at http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html on the Music Department Server. Various study aids may be available only through this homepage. Certain assignments will involve Web searches.
  
• This course will be taught as a chronological, historical Survey of Choral Music. Music which was not originally intended for choral performance but which might be programmed as choral music today will also be discussed.
  
• Some classes will be taught by Dr. Kevin Badanes (Renaissance and 20th century music), Susan Howell (choral music for children), and Jamie Shew (popular choral music in the 20th century). Attendance at classes taught by guests is mandatory and absenses will be penalized.

Evaluation is based on a variety of assignments, each offering the opportunity for a specified number of points. The total number of points earned will be converted to a grade percentage (scale given below). Some opportunities for extra credit points may be available. Grades in this course are not assigned; they are earned. Grades are never curved. Points are earned as follows:

Grade Percentage Scale:

There will be a class Email list, although probably not a discussion group list unless the class thinks it would be valuable. All course materials are available on the instructor's Web page, and will not be handed out in class. Certain assignments will require very specific Web searches and actions. Students, therefore, must have a Web Browser and Email access. Some written assignments may be accepted electronically; check with the instructor. There will be no on-line quizzes or activities that require input from the student.