Basic Syllabus for Applied Lessons
for 100, 200 & 300 Level Lessons in
Brass, Woodwinds, Percussion & Strings
Fall, 2014
Professor:
Office/Lesson Location:
Office Hours:
Office Phone:
Email:
______
Course Description
Private instruction on any instrument puts emphasis on the development of technique and the exploration of appropriate literature, as well as background information necessary for crafting compelling performance, and issues related to performers’ health
100 level lessons are for non-music majors and majors studying secondary instruments
200 level lessons are for music majors and minors in their freshman and sophomore years, and any upperclassman that has not successfully completed a Junior Proficiency.
300 level lessons are for music majors who have completed their Junior Proficiency.
Expectations
Students in all levels of applied lessons will:
- properly prepared for and attendedall scheduled lessons (as defined below)
- practice regularly in order to make suitable progress (as defined below for each level)
- learn solo literature and appropriate etudes for their instrument/voice and levelofstudy
- learn scales, rudiments, and other patterns essential to developingstrong technique
5. practice sight-reading skills
6. perform for their peers in master-classes and student recitals (as described below)
7. act professionally in performance and other matters (see below)
8. conduct appropriate research into the backgrounds and contexts of the pieces they are studying and the composers of those pieces
9. become aware of health risks associated with the performing on their instrument and recognize their warning signs
10. complete other assignments as given by individual instructors
Required Course Materials
Each instructor will determine the appropriate materials for each student based on:
1. current technical and music skills
2. technical and musical deficiencies
3. standard and appropriate material for the individual instrument
All students are expected to purchase their own lesson materials, and to consult resources available in the SMSU Library and online for research.
Goals
As a part of the course offerings and degree requirements within the SMSU Music Program, Applied Lessons address the following goal and student outcome.
Goal #1: Performance Skills
Students will demonstrate competency on a major performing instrument/voice and/or piano and will display habits that support good aural, vocal, physical, and psychological health as musicians.
Student Outcomes:
1A. Students will exhibit advanced performance skills on their primary instrument or voice and will demonstrate knowledge of significant literature, composers, and proper and healthy technique.
Key Assessments:
Master-classes, Juries, Junior Proficiencies
As part of the music education curriculum approved by the Minnesota Board of Teachers, Applied Lessons address the following standards for music teacher education.
Subp. 3. Subject matter standard
C. A teacher of instrumental music must:
(1) demonstrate advanced solo and ensemble performance on at least one instrument of the keyboard, percussion, string, or wind families and demonstrate musical accuracy and expressiveness using music examples from diverse styles and time periods;
(4) know instrumental instructional materials and solo and ensemble repertoire, representing diverse periods and cultures, and beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels;
(5) demonstrate understandings and skills or performance pedagogy for percussion, string, and wind instruments;
As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the SMSU Music Program intends for Applied Lessons in woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings to work towards the achievement of the following NASM standards for undergraduate Liberal Arts degrees with majors in music and various emphases and Bachelor of Science degrees in Music Education.
Section VII, D. Essential Content and Competencies
2. Musicianship
(2) An understanding of and the ability to read and realize musical notation.
(4) An acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.
3. Performance and Music Electives
(1) Ability in performing areas at levels consistent with the goals and objectives of the specific liberal arts degree program being followed.
(2) Understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of musical styles.
Section VIII, B. Common Body of Knowledge and Skills
1. Performance
a. Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music concentration.
b. An overview understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory.
f. Growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences. Ensembles should be varied both in size and nature.
Lesson Preparation and Attendance
At the 100 level, all students are expected to attend one 30 minute lesson each week or, at the request of the instructor, a 60 minute lesson every two weeks. (Failure to attend lessons regularly and/or lack of advanced communication with instructors regarding absences will be grounds for reductions in grade at the discretion of the instructor.) In preparation for these lessons, students are expected to practice at least 4 hours per week.
At the 200 level, all music majors and minors are expected to attend one 30 minute lesson each week or, at the request of the instructor, a 60 minute lesson every two weeks. (Failure to attend lessons regularly and/or lack of advanced communication with instructors regarding absences will be grounds for reductions in grade at the discretion of the instructor.) In preparation for these lessons, students are expected to practice at least 7 hours per week.
At the 300 level, lesson durations and practice amounts will be determined by the number of credits for which the student has registered
1. For all 2 credit lessons, music majors are expected to attend one 30 minute lesson each week or, at the request of the instructor, a 60 minute lesson every two weeks. Students are expected to practice at least 7 hours per week.
2. For all 3 credit lessons, music majors are expected to attend one 60 minute lesson each week. Students are expected to practice at least 10 hours per week.
(Failure to attend lessons regularly and/or lack of advanced communication with instructors regarding absences will be grounds for reductions in grade at the discretion of the instructor.)
Lesson Materials and Technique Studied
At 100 & 200 level of applied instruction lesson materials (solos, etudes, drills, etc.) will be selected by the instructor based on the current level of the student. However, it is expected that students will begin learning solo literature appropriate to the students’ skills and needed development and study etudes and drills designed to build technical and music skills as a performer. Music majors preparing for Junior Proficiencies will be expected to learn all major and minor scales covering the full range of their instrument (all basic rudiments for percussionists). Sight reading skills will also be enhanced through focused study.
At the 300 level of applied instruction it is assumed that the student has progressed to a level of technical and musical excellence on their music. Further development of the musician and preparation for required junior and senior recitals will include the study of advanced literature written for the instrument in a variety of styles and from all historical periods. In addition, etudes and studies designed to build advanced technical skills will be expected. Sight reading skills are expected to continue to improve at this level.
End of Semester Juries/Master-classes (** current semester)
**During fall semesters students at all levels of applied lessons will attend and perform for scheduled master-classes. Length of performances will be determined by the student and instructor, but no performance will exceed 5 minutes in length. Evaluation forms will be filled out by faculty and all students in attendance. All faculty will also assign a grade to the performance. Faculty scores will be averaged and reported to the private instructor. This averaged score will account for 15% of the student’s semester grade. All evaluations will be given to students for their review with their applied instructors.
**Fall Master-classes will take place on:
Piano class—12/9/2014 @ 4:30 in FA 132
Instrumental class—12/10/2014 @ 4:30 in FA 135
Vocal class—12/11/2014 @ 4:30 in FA 132
During the spring semester students will perform for master-classes or juries as described below. Spring master-classes will take place on April 28th & 30th.
Students taking 100 level lessons will perform for scheduled master-classes following the same format as described for the fall semester.
Music majors and minors at the 200 and 300 levels of applied instruction will perform a juries for the full-time faculty. Spring Juries will take place on [TBD]. (A sign-up sheet will be posted in March.) The following guidelines will be followed in the planning and completion of juries.
1.Juries will be scheduled in 10 minute intervals. (Students completing Junior Proficiencies will sign up for two consecutive time slots to complete the performance portion of their proficiency exam. See the “Junior Proficiency Exam Policy.”)
2.At the time of the jury, students will submit a Jury Examination form that will include: a list of works studied during the semester; a list of methods & etudes studied; scales and technique work done; and a self-evaluation of work and progress.
3.Juries in all areas will consist of the following two components:
a.Performance of a work (or works) (No more than 7 minutes of music may be performed in a jury.) One work selected (in advance) by the student’s applied instructor will be performed. Accompanists are required for any piece that calls for such accompaniment.
b. Technique—Students may be asked to perform scales, rudiments, and range demonstrations as appropriate to their area. (Such requests are intended to help students and faculty monitor their readiness for Junior Proficiencies and Recitals.)
c. Content component—Prior to performing their selections, students will present a brief, 4-point informational piece outlining any four of any of the following areas:
1) Composer background
2) Context of musical work
3) Technical/Stylistic/Diction/Intonation issues and challenges to be noted
4) Performers of representative recordings of the work(s)
5) Reference materials appropriate in the preparation of the work(s)
6) Health issues to be monitored during rehearsal and performance of work(s)
(Such presentations are intended to encourage complete/comprehensive preparation of the work and as an introduction to skills and content knowledge expected in the Junior Proficiency.)
4. Juries and master-class performances will be graded by the faculty in attendance and the averaged score will account for 15% of the student’s semester grade.
Performance Requirements
Students in 100 level lessons are not required to perform for Student Recital unless specifically assigned by their instructor.
All music majors and minors taking 200 level lessons are required to perform at least once during Student Recital each semester in which they are taking lessons. Students may choose to perform more than once if they wish.
All music majors taking 300 level lessons are required to perform for at least one Student Recital each semester. In addition, these students must perform solo and/or chamber ensemble literature in at least one additional venue or for a second Student Recital. These additional performances must be approved by the head of the instrumental studies area (the Director of Bands).
Grades
Grades for all Applied Lessons will be determined in part by their individual instructor and in part by the full-time faculty of the SMSU Music Program. Grades will be based on the following percentages at each level of lessons.
100 Level Lessons
85%Progress, weekly preparation, and attendance (assigned by instructor)
15%Master-class/Jury Performance (average of Music Faculty scores)
200 Level Lessons
80%Progress, weekly preparation, and attendance (assigned by instructor)
5% Student Recital Performance(s) (average of Music Faculty scores)
15%Master-class/Jury Performance (average of Music Faculty scores)
300 Level Lessons
75%Progress, weekly preparation, and attendance (assigned by instructor)
5%Required Student Recital Performance (average of Music Faculty scores)
5%Additional required performance (average of Music Faculty scores)
15%Master-class/Jury Performance (average of Music Faculty scores)
Accompanist Fees
Accompanist fees associated with Applied Lesson and Recital courses will be billed as course fees attached to the course based on the required number of performances for that course.
Any additional performances not related to applied lessons requiring an accompanist will also require proper payment of the accompanist. Consult with your accompanist to determine this fee. It is also suggested that you consider the policy below as a guide.
Accompanists devote considerable time to learning parts and rehearsing with soloists. It is only fair that they should be compensated for their time. To that end, this policy outlines what SMSU students will pay accompanists for their services.
+Full recitals—Students should pay their accompanist $150.00 for a full recital. This fee represents the private preparation of music, the performance and 5 rehearsals of 1 hour each.
+Half Recitals—Students should pay their accompanist $75.00 for a half recital. This fee represents the private preparation of music, the performance and 4 rehearsals of 1 hour each.
+Other performances of one or two short pieces (examples: Public Performance Studies or juries)—For each performance, the student should pay the accompanist $25.00. This fee represents the private preparation of music, the performance, and 2 rehearsals.