UTA Flute Studio Syllabus MUSI 2246

Spring 2010

Dr. Sarah Frisof

FA 245

Office: 817-272-2272

Cell: 585-455-3202

Office Hours: Thursday 12-1pm or by Appointment

1. Course Content

Applied flute study is a performance-based course focused on the development of musicianship, technique, tonal control, intonation, music reading capabilities, stylistic awareness, and performance skills. The course is tailored to meet the individual student’s needs, while focusing on developing a strong fundamental understanding of music and flute-playing. Although students may be enrolled in a variety of degree programs, all lessons are oriented towards the final goal of improved practice and performance.

Aspects of lower division study may include development of music fundamentals (rhythm, sound, technique etc), study of lower-level etudes and repertoire, outside listening and score-study assignments, and an increased focus on effective and successful practice technique.

Musi 2246 continues to emphasis the basics of musicianship, focusing primarily on the development of tone and basic technique. Student enrolled in Musi 2246 will be expected to be able to play #1 in Maquarre’s daily exercises ( 104-108- eighth note) and #1 and #4 in Taffanel and Gaubert’s daily exercises at (104-108-half note). Students enrolled in Musi 2246 will be expected to work on the following repertoire or repertoire of equivalent difficulty: Handel Flute Sonatas, Honegger Danse De La Chevre, Bloch Suite Modale.

2. Student Learning Outcome

The student will demonstrate increased musical awareness and enhanced performance skills, including improvements in tone production, intonation, rhythmic accuracy and stability, technique, musicianship, and interpretative skills. The student learning outcome will be evaluated by the woodwind faculty in an end-of-semester jury.

3. Requirements and Attendance Policy

Attendance to applied flute lessons is both paramount to a student’s development and mandatory for a passing grade. In addition to being required to attend lessons, students are required to attend studio class and my annual UTA recital. Students are required to attend ALL woodwind and brass faculty concerts unless they have received prior permission from the instructor. All students are required to perform in the flute studio recital unless they have received prior permission from the instructor. The semester includes 14 one-hour lessons. Each student is entitled to one lesson cancellation (with 24-hour prior notice) without penalty. Any other lesson absences will result in a grade of 0 for the missed lesson. If there is an unforeseen emergency or conflict, please contact me via email or office phone, and I will reschedule if my schedule permits.

It is also likely that I will have to reschedule some lessons due to other university or performance engagements. If this occurs, I will work around the student’s schedule, and the lesson rescheduling will be made plenty in advance.

4. Requirements and Course Materials

While specific repertoire will be assigned on an individual basis, students are responsible for owning a tuner and metronome. I highly recommend that students own some sort of recording device, both for individual practice and assistance in reviewing lesson materials.

Students are responsible for the attainment of all lesson materials and repertoire. I highly recommend fluteworld.com or Carol Nussbaum’s flute shop for the procurement of any required music or text.

5. Studio Class/ Flute Choir

All students are expected to attend the weekly studio class/flute choir. Additionally, students will be asked to participate and give feedback during studio class. Any student that has a pre-approved conflict with the studio class time will complete an additional creative project as outlined by the professor.

5. Examinations

All students will be evaluated in an end-of-semester jury. Students will also be evaluated in a mid-term technique jury. The mid-term jury will consist of scales and technique studies individually assigned by the instructor. The technique assignment will be made at the beginning of the semester, and the jury will occur in the 7th or 8th week of the semester. In the final semester jury, students must provide their own accompanist for any accompanied repertoire. Failure to schedule or perform in the jury will result in an automatic grade of “F” and students will be required to retake the course. Students who are unprepared and perform poorly in the jury will also receive a grade of “F” and will be required to re-take the course. Students are required to perform the jury music with piano accompaniment in at least one lesson prior to the jury. Any student performing in a degree recital in the present semester is exempt from jury requirements.

6. Fourth Semester Barrier

Students must successfully pass a barrier exam in the fourth semester of their studies before they can begin upper division applied lessons. The exam is held during end of semester juries, and students must prepare two contrasting solo pieces and all scales as designated in the Winds/Brass/Percussion handbook.

7. Final Semester Degree Recital/ Performance Project

All students will either participate in a final semester degree recital or a creative performance project, as outlined by the professor. If the student is not a performance major and does not wish to perform a degree recital, the instructor and student will design a performance project for the final semester. All students performing in either a degree recital or optional recital must follow the recital timeline and rules.

8. Grading Policy

The semester grade will be determined in the following way:

Average weekly lesson grade= 50%

Jury Performance and Preparation= 25%

Attendance and participation in studio class= 25%

Grading in applied lessons is based solely on individual progress and effort. The instructor will record a grade based on the level of preparation and performance in each weekly lesson. The student is responsible for working diligently each day, and allowing for sufficient quality practice time. Thus the grade is really a reflection of the student’s efforts.

A- Exceptional preparation and performance

B- Above average preparation and performance

C- Average preparation and performance

D- Inadequate preparation and performance

F- No apparent preparation and unacceptable performance

9. Drop Policy

Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Undeclared students must see an advisor in the University Advising Center. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

10. American with Disablities Act

The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All instructors at UT Arlington are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Any student requiring an accommodation for this course must provide the instructor with official documentation in the form of a letter certified by the staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities, University Hall 102. Only those students who have officially documented a need for an accommodation will have their request honored. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at or by calling the Office for Students with Disabilities at (817) 272-3364.

11. Academic Integrity

It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. According to the UT System Regents’ Rule 50101, §2.2, "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts."

12. Student Support Services

The University of Texas at Arlington has established a variety of programs to help students meet the challenges of college life. Support to students includes advising, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, supplemental instruction, and writing assistance. For a complete list of academic support services, visit the Academic Assistance resource page of the Office of Student Success Programs, To help students address personal, academic and career concerns, individual counseling is also available. For more information, students are encouraged to contact Counseling Services at (817) 272-3671 or visit a counselor in 216 Davis Hall.

13. Electronic Communication Policy

The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University “MavMail” address as the sole official means of communication with students. MavMail is used to remind students of important deadlines, advertise events and activities, and permit the University to conduct official transactions exclusively by electronic means. For example, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation are now sent to students through the MavMail system. All students are assigned a MavMail account. Students are responsible for checking their MavMail regularly. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active even after they graduate from UT Arlington.

Recital Timeline and Rules

16-20 Weeks in Advance:

  1. Pick Repertoire: Schedule a meeting with me to discuss repertoire and make repertoire decisions. If you would like to have a recital in the middle of the fall, correspond via email or phone over the summer.
  2. Set Recital Date: Set the date at the beginning of the semester. Run the date and time by me before your schedule your recital! The recital should be scheduled at least 12 weeks in advance.
  3. Schedule your Dress Rehearsal: Your dress rehearsal should be 1-2 weeks before the recital in the recital location.
  4. Secure a Pianist: I need the pianist’s name and written agreement turned in 16 weeks in advance. Schedule your rehearsals early and be sure that your pianist is available for your lesson time, dress rehearsal, and recital time.

8-12 Weeks in Advance:

1. Initial rehearsals with pianist: You should look over the music with the pianist 2-3 months before your recital. This will assist you in your own practice organization.

2. Begin program note research: You should slowly gather materials for your program notes.

4-8 Weeks in Advance:

  1. First lesson with Accompanist: I need to hear an initial lesson with repertoire at LEAST four weeks before your recital. I need to hear a minimum of two lessons with your pianist. If your literature is more advanced ( a large sonata), you may need to schedule 3 lessons with your pianist..
  2. Studio Class Performance: Plan on performing your repertoire in studio class 4-6 weeks before your recital.

3 weeks in Advance:

1. Pre-Recital Jury: Students must perform in a pre-recital jury 2-3 weeks before their recital. They must perform in front of at least 2 faculty members.

2 Weeks in Advance:

  1. Dress Rehearsal
  2. Program Notes: Program notes and programs are due to me two weeks before your recital. I will make any edits and return them to you.

3. Studio Class: Plan on performing one final time for the class. Schedule run-throughs of your repertoire for friends! Your recital will feel much more comfortable if you have run through the repertoire multiple times.

4. Page Turner: Make sure you have secured a page-turner WELL IN ADVANCE.

5. Stage Hand: If this is not a degree recital, make sure you have a friend or colleague that can move stands and chairs for you!

1 week in Advance:

  1. Accompanist Payment: Make sure you are ready with a check for your pianist.
  2. Practice in your recital clothes: Make sure you are comfortable in your dress/suit and shoes.

Recital Checklist:

  1. Programs/Program Notes
  2. Pianist $$
  3. Music
  4. Water and Snack for backstage
  5. Page Turner
  6. Stage Hand