WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
PROPOSAL FOR NEW COURSES
Department: Music Date: March 20, 2006
MUS 238 Guitar Ensemble 1
Course No. Course Name Credits
This proposal is for a(n) X Undergraduate Course ______Graduate Course
Applies to: ___X__ Major __X___ Minor ______University Studies*
___X__ Required __X__ Required
__ __ Elective _____Elective
Prerequisites: Qualified for MUS 163 (or permission of instructor)
Grading method: ___X___ Grade only ______P/NC only ______Grade and P/NC Option
Frequency of offering: every semester
A. Course Description
1. Catalog Description
Guitar Ensemble is a performance course. Students will learn how to perform in a chamber ensemble of like instruments, and play literature from several musical periods. This course fulfills the large ensemble requirement for music majors and minors whose primary instrument is guitar. Prerequisite: admittance to MUS 163 or consent of instructor. Offered every semester. (Minimum of four students must be enrolled for this course to be offered.)
2. Course Syllabus / Goals
a. Develop ensemble performance skills
1. Following a conductor
2. Listening skills
- intonation
- knowledge of other parts in the ensemble
3. Giving and receiving cues
4. Responding to dynamics of the group
5. Interpretation skills
- style
- composer’s intent
b. Improve tone and articulation for blending with like instruments
1. Picking technique
- right hand placement
- attack and angle
c. Develop reading skills
1. Fundamental rhythmic training
2. Fretboard mechanics: use of several positions
d. Gain knowledge of guitar ensemble literature
1. Identify important composers
e. Public performance
1. Participation in a minimum of one performance per semester – WSU Chamber
Ensembles Concert (more encouraged)
3. Instructional Plan
Guitar ensemble will meet once a week for 50 minutes. Each class period will contain these elements.
· Lecturing on guitar performance, technique and topics related to guitar ensemble.
· Sight-reading.
· Rehearsal of concert repertoire.
4. Course requirements
· All students are expected to purchase music for performances as assigned.
· All students are to furnish their own acoustic guitar.
· Preparation of assigned materials is expected prior to class.
Means of evaluation: Grading is based on attendance at rehearsals and performances, and class participation and preparation.
5. Course materials
Course materials will consist of the repertoire selected for performance, and additional pedagogical material designed for ensemble skill development.
6. Bibliography (course materials will be selected from the following sources)
Hirsh, Alan. Folk Song Collection. Mel Bay Publications, 2005
Mallard, Manley. Baroque Dances for Guitar Ensemble. Mel Bay Publications, 2003
Miller, Donald. Guitar Ensemble Series, Music of the Masters. Mel Bay Publications, 2001
Kruisbrink, Annette. 10 Miniaturas. Theodore Presser Co., 2001
Marchelie, Erik. Autumn Song. Theodore Presser Co., 1997
Teleman, George Philipp. Concerto in D Major. Theodore Presser Co., 1995
Tesar, Milan. Divertimento. Theodore Presser Co., 1997
Masson, Thierrt & Patrick Guillem. Trio et Quatuor de Guitares. Theodore Presser Co., 2001
B. Rationale
1. Major focus and objectives
Guitarists who declare one of the various music majors or minors are not getting the exposure to chamber ensemble literature that is offered to other instrumentalists. This course will rectify this situation and also offer a better option for fulfilling their large ensemble requirement (see #2 below). Additionally, we believe that implementing a guitar ensemble will make WSU more attractive to prospective students.
2. Contribution to department curriculum
Guitar ensemble is being proposed to meet the needs of the growing number of music majors and minors who declare guitar as their principal instrument. Currently, we are enrolling guitarists in MUS 239 - Jazz Combo to fulfill their major performing ensemble requirement, but we are finding that because we have a limited number of combos, often there are three or more guitarists assigned to a group, which impedes the balance of the ensembles. Also, the jazz combo experience, while a valuable one, does not offer the chamber music setting and pedagogical development that a guitar ensemble class does.
3. No courses will be dropped due to the initiation of this course.
C. Impact on Other Departments
This course will have no impact on other departments.
D. University Studies
This course will not be submitted for approval in the university studies program.
Department Contact Person for this Proposal:
R. Richard MacDonald x5259
Name (please print) Phone e-mail address