MACRO Circular Opus 6

Winter 1998

MACRO NEW MEMBERS

Hi there everybody! My name is David Seabaugh and yes I'm a new member of MACRO. I am a third year student at Truman State University studying composition under the iron fist of Dr. Warren Gooch. The work is hard and the hours long, but don't you know good old Dr. Gooch knows just how to rub it all in. Just kidding, Doc. In truth I keep very busy in the 2 choirs and drum majoring the marching band along with challenging classes and even more challenging lessons. It's all happy work so I don't mind. I figure I get to do what I love to do 24-7, and I couldn't ask for a better situation. So, Hello again MACRO and... does anyone know how to score for a Goocharoochie?

Features for Teachers

Musical Pictures with Words: Story, Analogy, Allegory, Parable

Frequently, students have a difficult time understanding concepts that may seem abstract to them. Several years ago as I attempted to help someone understand something, I used a story to explain the concept. It was clear that they finally understood in a way that they never had before. This prompted me to think about stories and relationships between music and everyday experiences so that students could have deeper understanding and could better apply musical information (often perceived as abstract or unrelated) that they are learning. Since that time I have explored this communication tool through scholarly reading and practical application. The two following sample problems and solutions are provided here in an attempt to better explain this approach.

Problem #1:

Students use 2nd inversion triads anywhere and everywhere. They believe that 2nd inversion triads are equivalent in function to root position triads.

Solution:

Word Picture/Story/Analogy/Allegory/Parable

Second inversion triads (6/4 chords) are like doughnut spare tires.

1. They are not like real tires (not like root position chords).

2. They are used to get you from one place to another (easily shown through macro analysis).

3. They are used in only certain circumstances.

4. There are four types, just like four places to put a spare tire.

Problem #2:

Students do not understand that the most interesting parts of form analysis are the unique features within the composition, not just where the opening material returns. Often students will write a paper on a sonata and mention that it has a development or a recapitulation. (Big deal.) In addition, they will provide a measure by measure account of the entire composition. (Dull reading.)

Solution:

What is the plot to the television show "Murder She Wrote"? (Someone is killed. Many people have reason to kill this person. Mrs. Fletcher solves the mystery.) If the show has such a simple, perhaps boring, plot, why has it been such a successful show? Why do people watch the show? Because of all the twists and turns that make each show unique.

1. The plot is standard for each show (musical form). However, each show is not exactly the same (unique features in a standard formal structure).

2. The twists and turns make the show interesting (same as in musical forms).

Continued on next page

The following items often serve as a source for stories:

1. Driving an automobile (see previous "spare tire" story)

2. Television shows (see "Murder She Wrote" story above)

3. The English language ("blue" versus "blew" for enharmonic spellings; "myna meis" versus "my name is" for improper beaming)

4. Eating, particularly at fast-food restaurants (common items with different names, common groups of items (e.g.,"combo meal"))

Note from the editor: I think it would be wonderful for all of us to share our successful classroom strategies involving Pictures with Words. Please feel free to submit any of your Pictures with Words to Jamie Henke, MACRO Chair, and I will publish them in the next issue of the newsletter.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

As of January 1, 1998, the MACRO organization was the recipient of another generous donation in the amount of $100,000. This brings our fund to a grand total of $344,000. As MACRO newsletter editor, I wish to publicly acknowledge our donors, who wish to remain anonymous, for their generous contributions to this organization.

Unfortunately, the first issue of our journal has absorbed much of the interest money accrued thus far from this account. (Please refer to Marilyn's article) However, we will not have this problem with subsequent issues of the journal, so we are looking for ideas on ways to use this money to help benefit the members of the organization and music pedagogy in general. Please share your ideas with any member of the board at any time.

Introducing our Artist

MACRO is proud to introduce our artist, Kara Webster. Kara is a freshman at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin. Her interests are art, medicine, and skiing. We hope her works will continue to brighten up many subsequent issues of our newsletter!

MACRO WORKSHOP Just a reminder - the application deadline for MACRO student awards is March 1. Please encourage your students to apply.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION regarding the MACRO WORKSHOP

By now you should have received the 1998 workshop flyer. The following information was not included in the workshop flyer, but is very pertinent to all MACRO members.

1. MACRO members may waive the workshop fee.

2. Travel funds are available on a first come first served basis for MACRO members to attend the workshop.

3. Please register for the workshop as soon as possible. This will help us to plan for food items with the catering service at Monona Terrace. You may include traveling companions at the luncheon. Please let us know if you will be including someone other than yourself at the luncheon. The meal will be paid for out of our UW Foundation funds.

New Member David Seabaugh introduces himself!

Hi there everybody! My name is David Seabaugh and yes I'm a new member of MACRO. I am a third year student at Truman State University studying composition under the iron fist of Dr. Warren Gooch. The work is hard and the hours long, but don't you know good old Dr. Gooch knows just how to rub it all in. Just kidding, Doc. In truth I keep very busy in the 2 choirs and drum majoring the marching band along with challenging classes and even more challenging lessons. It's all happy work so I don't mind. I figure I get to do what I love to do 24-7, and I couldn't ask for a better situation. So, Hello again MACRO and... does anyone know how to score for a Goocharoochie?

MACRO NEWS

As newsletter editor, I feel a little strange tooting my own horn so to speak, but Jamie Henke, MACRO Chair submits the following short story to MACRO News.

Tim and Jamie were sitting in the kitchen talking about a week before their expected due date and Jamie said,

"Wouldn't it be nice if we could just put Jamisen on the bus for school, go to the hospital and have the baby, and be home in time to tuck Jamisen into bed?!"

After much laughter, we thought, "and while we're at it, how about if it was born on January 12th, so that we would have a few extra days before the start of the semester?!"

It is said that you should be careful what you wish for, but much to our surprise, in one of those rare and beautiful moments when life works as you dream, God smiled on us and . . .

On January 12th, 1998, we put Jamisen on the bus for school, drove to the hospital, and Jadrien Timothy was born at 2:16 p.m., 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20 and 1/2 inches long, and yes, we were home in time to tuck Jamisen into bed.

MURPHY'S LAW PREVAILS! A Report from the Editor of Musical Insights

Many of you have probably been wondering when your copy of Musical Insights, the journal for our organization, is going to arrive. True to Murphy's Law, ongoing production problems have continued to delay the distribution of volume one. We had planned a mass mailing of the journal last month, but when our 1000 copies arrived from the printer, we discovered that the printing job was of a substandard quality. Although the printer has agreed to reprint the copies and has promised to deliver the books by mid-February, we are hesitant to announce when volume one will be available; at this point, we are taking a "wait and see" attitude. Despite all of these problems, please be assured that you will be mailed your copy of Musical Insights as soon as possible.

This latest problem is just one in a long line of"learning experiences" we have gone through in the production of Musical Insights.We are now looking at a total bill that may exceed four times the original cost estimate we were given. Because of the high cost of volume one and the difficulties surrounding its production, we have decided to desktop publish the next volume of Musical Insights and serve as our own printing contra. We feel that this change will allow us to spend the funds of the organization in a more productive manner. As soon as volume one has been distributed, we will begin the conversion process to becoming our own publishers.

Marilyn Saker

OPEN PERFORMANCE SESSION

You may have noticed that we are including an open performance session as a part of our workshop this year. We already have commitments from several people, but are still looking for other individuals who would be interested in sharing their musical talents at this impromptu affair. If you are interested, please contact Marilyn Saker, our chair of performance, who is setting up the concert. Phone: 734-487-1284 E-mail: msaker [at] emich.edu