Choral Musicking While Apart Winter 2021

Choral Ensemble – University Chorus

MUEN 593 003
2 credits

Meeting day/time: Tuesdays 10:00-11:25

ZOOM link for all class meetings: https://mcgill.zoom.us/j/88121457570
Instructor: Andrew Hon (he/him)
Email: andrew.hon@mcgill.ca
Office hours: Wednesdays 10:00-11:25 (by appointment only)
Andrew’s virtual office: https://mcgill.zoom.us/j/5819376431
Remote Learning Assistant: Yan Ru Chen (yan-ru.chen@mail.mcgill.ca)
Stay connected – follow McGill Choral Studies on Facebook

Description
“To music is to take part, in any capacity, in a musical performance, whether by performing, by listening,
by rehearsing or practicing, by providing material for performance (what is called composing), or by
dancing” (Small, 2011, p. 9). The present pandemic and social movements have given rise to many new
forms of musicking in the choral field, some of which were unimaginable even a few years back. Modern
technology has enabled us to music while apart, creating a sense of community in isolation. These
innovations not only offer us unique perspectives as musicians, but also constantly shape and redefine
the choral art in the twenty-first century.
This course will consider these new meanings of choral musicking in three modules. The first module
focuses on topics of choral music relevant to the twenty-first century. Guests who are experts or active
proponents of their respective fields will be invited to discuss issues including, but not limited to, social
and environmental justice, diversity and inclusion, and leadership and career development in the choral
field. The second module focuses on choral music appreciation and literature, which aims to
contextualize the choral art through study of history and masterworks. The third module focuses on
musicianship in the choral setting, providing practical skills for singers to adequately understand and
interpret a choral score.

Course Content
Module 1: 21st-century Choral Topics
▪ Social and environmental justice
▪ Diversity and inclusion
▪ Leadership styles and the choral conductor
▪ Virtual choir/rehearsal
Module 2: Choral Music Appreciation and Literature
▪ Introduction, history, and context

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon

 ▪ Survey of major choral genres and works
▪ Choral music in non-Western cultures
Module 3: Musicianship in the Choral Setting
▪ Reading, understanding, and interpretation
▪ Score identification
▪ International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and diction

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to…
1. contextualize and contribute to discussions of choral issues relevant to the twenty-first
century
2. trace the history and development of choral music from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first
century and name major works/composers/genres discussed in class, including those that
stem from non-Western cultures or traditions
3. adequately read, understand, and interpret any given choral score
4. use International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and other methods discussed in class to annotate a
choral score in preparation for performance in an idiomatic manner

Instruction Method
This course includes both synchronous and asynchronous activities. The synchronous Tuesday lectures
and presentations will take place on ZOOM and the asynchronous activities are available on myCourses.
You can find relevant instructions and tutorials on the McGill’s Remote Learning Resources page.

Expectations for student Participation

Active student participation is encouraged in this course. Students are invited to turn on their camera and
audio and actively participate in the discussions and Q&A segments of the course. Attendance to all
synchronous sessions is strongly encouraged – if you have to miss a class, notify the remote learning
assistant before the start of the session. Note that repeated tardiness (more than 5 minutes late) and
absences without approval of the instructor will affect your participation grade.

Assignments and Evaluation

Participation (30%)
Weekly assignments (20%), including:
1. Short reflections
2. Listening and reading assignments
3. Score annotations and IPA transcriptions
Multi-staged virtual choir project (50%):

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon

 ▪ Stage 1: Students are divided into groups of 3-4 to research on a BIPOC composer and their
works, which they have to share with the class with a 2-page handout OR a 15min
presentation (assigned by instructor)
▪ Stage 2: Students are divided into (new) groups of 3-4 to discuss and choose a piece with
themes of social conscience (unaccompanied/with piano; 4min max.), and share with the
class with a 2-page handout OR a 15min presentation, including composer bio and other
information, such as performance practice and social issues, about the piece (assigned by
instructor; those who did a handout for stage 1 will be doing a presentation, and vice versa)
▪ Stage 3: Listen to all pieces and picks a piece for recording
▪ Stage 4: Record the selected piece with a conducting/click track
▪ Stage 5: Submit a reflection on the recording project – consider the idea of online choral
musicking and its implications for performers and listeners today (500 words)
All assignments will be evaluated based on the student’s understanding of the subject matter, quality of
the presentation and writing, as well as the originality, creativity and depth of the artistic and musical
content.
Details of all activities are available on myCourses and all assignments must also be submitted through
that platform. See FAQs for students using myCourses: Assignments for more information.

No late submission will be accepted.

Materials

Required Reading:
Alwes, Chester Lee. “The Choral Music of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750).” A History of Western
Choral Music, Volume 1. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2015.
https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195177428.003.0010.

Fischer, Kurt von, and Werner Braun. “Passion.” Grove Music Online. 2001.
https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/
omo-9781561592630-e-0000040090.

Reading for guest speakers TBA

Extended Reading:
Alwes, Chester Lee. A History of Western Choral Music, Volume 1. New York, NY: Oxford University Press,
2015. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195177428.001.0001.

———, A History of Western Choral Music, Volume 2. New York, NY: Oxford University Press,
2015. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199376995.001.0001.

Balen, Julia. A Queerly Joyful Noise: Choral Musicking for Social Justice. New Brunswick: Rutgers University
Press, 2017. https://muse-jhu-edu.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/book/56158.

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon

De Quadros, André, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Choral Music. Cambridge Companions to Music.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. http://doi.org/10.1017/CCOL9780521111737.

Small, Christopher. Musicking: The Meanings of Performing and Listening. Middletown, Connecticut:
Wesleyan University Press, 2011.
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/mcgill/detail.action?docID=776766.

Guidelines for Students

1. You are responsible for being familiar with, and abiding by, the applicable policies, such as the
ones listed at the beginning of these Guidelines, in the context of remote learning, and otherwise,
while you are a McGill student. The more specific information below complements the
information provided in existing policies and is not intended as a summary of all policy
information pertaining to McGill students involved in remote learning.

2. Per McGill’s Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures, “[t]he integrity of University
academic life and of the degrees the University confers is dependent upon the honesty, integrity
and soundness of the teacher-student learning relationship and, as well, that of the assessment
process.” Note that student obligation measures under the heading “C. Academic Offences” in
the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (i.e., avoiding plagiarism or cheating)
and associated disciplinary measures apply as much during online exams or other remotely-
conducted evaluations as exams and other evaluations on McGill premises.

3. Do not share your login or password information. Keeping this information confidential minimizes
the risk of harassment and intrusion into your classes by unauthorized and ill-intended users and
ensures that you remain compliant with the requirements of the Policy on the Responsible Use of
McGill’s Information Technology Resources.

4. Instructors use multiple modes of communication to share their pedagogical materials with
students. Their slides, video recordings, lecture notes, etc. remain their intellectual property. As
such, you may use these only for your own learning (and research, with proper
referencing/citation) ends. You are not permitted to disseminate or share these materials; doing
so may violate the instructor’s intellectual property rights and could be cause for disciplinary
action.

5. Because some students may not be able to view lectures in fixed time (i.e., synchronously), many
instructors will record their lectures over the Fall 2020 term. Recordings will be made available to
students from within myCourses. Students registered in the course will have access by logging in
with their McGill credentials.

6. Recordings will be kept for one year, after which they will be deleted. McGill is taking all
reasonable measures to ensure that the recordings are only accessible to registered students in
the course.

7. You must consent to being recorded if you are attending a lecture or participating in a
component of a course that is being recorded. You will be notified through a “pop-up” box in
Zoom if a lecture or portion of a class is being recorded. If you are not comfortable being in a

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon

 class that is recorded, you may decide to not take part by logging off Zoom. Students who log off
will be able to later watch the video recording in myCourses.

8. For pedagogical reasons and for the enrichment of the experience of all students, attendance
may be monitored and/or active participation may be expected or required during fixed
(synchronous) class time. As such, you may be asked to turn on your camera and audio. If you do
not have the necessary resources (e.g., adequate Internet bandwidth or equipment) to do so,
inform your instructor at the beginning of term so that appropriate accommodations can be
made.

9. In addition to the recording of your image and voice, your name (or preferred name) may be
displayed on screen, and your instructor may call your name during the lecture. As such, this
personal information will be disclosed to classmates, whether during the lecture or in viewing the
recording. By remaining in classes that are being recorded, you accept that personal information
of this kind may be disclosed to others, whether during the lecture or in viewing the recording.

10. The University recognizes the importance of maintaining teaching spaces that are respectful and
inclusive for all involved. To this end, offensive, violent, or harmful language arising in contexts
such as the following may be cause for disciplinary action:

▪ Username (use only your legal or preferred name)

▪ Visual backgrounds

▪ “Chat” boxes

11. To maintain a clear and uninterrupted learning space for all, you should keep your microphone
muted throughout your class, unless invited by the instructor to speak.

12. You should follow instructors’ directions about the use of the “chat” function on remote learning
platforms.

Recordings of Sessions
You will be notified through a “pop-up” box in Zoom if a lecture
or portion of a class is being recorded. By remaining in sessions
that are recorded, you agree to the recording, and you
understand that your image, voice, and name may be disclosed
to classmates. You also understand that recordings will be made
available in myCourses to students registered in the course.

McGill Policy Students

Language of Submission
In accord with McGill University’s Charter of Students’ Rights, students in this course have the right to
submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded. This does not apply to courses in
which acquiring proficiency in a language is one of the objectives. (Approved by Senate on 21 January
2009 – see also the section in this document on Assignments and Evaluation).

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon

Conformément à la Charte des droits de l’étudiant de l’Université McGill, chaque étudiant a le droit de
soumettre en français ou en anglais tout travail écrit devant être noté (sauf dans le cas des cours dont l’un
des objets est la maîtrise d’une langue).

Academic Integrity
McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and
consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct
and Disciplinary Procedures (see McGill’s guide to academic honesty for more information, approved by
Senate on 29 January 2003).

L'université McGill attache une haute importance à l’honnêteté académique. Il incombe par conséquent à
tous les étudiants de comprendre ce que l'on entend par tricherie, plagiat et autres infractions
académiques, ainsi que les conséquences que peuvent avoir de telles actions, selon le Code de conduite de
l'étudiant et des procédures disciplinaires (pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez consulter le guide
pour l’honnêteté académique de McGill).

Additional Statements
The University Student Assessment Policy exists to ensure fair and equitable academic assessment for all
students and to protect students from excessive workloads. All students and instructors are encouraged
to review this Policy, which addresses multiple aspects and methods of student assessment, e.g., the
timing of evaluation due dates and weighting of final examinations.

© Instructor-generated course materials (e.g., handouts, notes, summaries, exam questions) are
protected by law and may not be copied or distributed in any form or in any medium without explicit
permission of the instructor. Note that infringements of copyright can be subject to follow up by the
University under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures.

As the instructor of this course, I endeavor to provide an inclusive learning environment. However, if you
experience barriers to learning in this course, do not hesitate to discuss them with me and the Office for
Students with Disabilities, 514-398-6009.

McGill University is on land which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous
peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge and thank the diverse
Indigenous people whose footsteps have marked this territory on which peoples of the world now gather.

End-of-course evaluations are one of the ways that McGill works towards maintaining and improving the
quality of courses and the student’s learning experience. You will be notified by e-mail when the
evaluations are available. Please note that a minimum number of responses must be received for results
to be available to students.

In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University’s control, the content and/or
evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change.

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon

McGill University Chorus Winter 2021 Schedule
Class meetings are held every Tuesday, 10:00-11:25 unless otherwise specified; in lieu of class
meetings on Thursdays, students can schedule individual office hour with the instructor

January 12
Introduction
Final project overview: Virtual Choir
Score ID – 1 (module 3)
Score analysis and IPA – 1 (module 3)
Choral musicking (module 1)
▪ Assignment: Score annotations 1

January 19
Discuss score annotations assignment
Vocal music in the Middle Ages and Renaissance (module 2)
Resources for programming – diversity and inclusion (module 1)
▪ Assignment: Final project stage 1 (for February 2)
▪ Pre-class activity: TBA by Mr. To

January 26
Cantonese/Mandarin choral music (module 2)
Joseph To, Choir Teacher at Tukwila School District and Director of Music Ministries at Prince of
Peace Lutheran Church – SeaTac, WA
▪ Assignment: 3-2-1 reflection

February 2 (09:35-11:25)
Final project stage 1 – Student presentations/handouts: BIPOC composers
▪ Pre-class activity: TBA

February 9
Topic/guest speaker: TBD
▪ Assignment: Reflection (300 words)

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon

 ▪ Pre-class activity: Read Grove article on Passion

February 16
From Passion to Compassion (module 1 + 2)
▪ Pre-class activity: Listen to Considering Matthew Shepard, read about Conpirare, and
think of 2 questions to ask Craig

February 23
Considering Matthew Shepard (module 1)
Craig Hella Johnson, Founding Artistic Director of Conspirare and Grammy Award-winning
conductor
▪ Assignment: Reflection (300 words)
▪ Pre-class activity: Listen to the little match girl passion, read the composer’s note, and
think of 2 questions to ask David

March 2
Study Break – no class

March 9
the little match girl passion (module 1)
David Lang, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and Yale University Professor
▪ Assignment: Final project stage 2

March 16 (09:35-11:25)
Final project stage 2 – Student presentations/handouts: choral music and social conscience
▪ Assignment: Final project stage 3 (listen and vote)
▪ Pre-class activity: The Choral Music of J. S. Bach

March 23
The Choral Music of J. S. Bach (module 2)
▪ Assignment: Final project stage 4 (record video; due on Apr 5)

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon

March 30
Cathrie Yuen, Associate Conductor of Trinity Western University, BC, Assistant Conductor of the
Vancouver Bach Choir, and founder of the Chorum Podcast
▪ Assignment: Continue to record video

April 6
Markus Utz, Zürich University of the Arts Professor (TBC)
▪ Assignment: Score annotations 2

April 13 (new end day of class)

Discuss score annotations assignment
Score ID – 2 (module 3)
Score analysis and IPA – 2 (module 3)
Choral Musicking: A paradigm shift? (module 1)
Reflections
Individual office hours (TBD)
▪ Assignment: Final project stage 5 (500 words; due on Apr 20)

Choral Musicking | University Chorus Winter 2021 Andrew Hon