Instrumental Techniques for Choral Majors

Music 2540

Professor: Thomas Priest


 
Classroom: BC 117, T,TH Office: BC 351
2 Credit Hours Office Hours: T & TH at 12:00 or by appointment
Telephone: (801) 626-7181 Email: tpriest@weber.edu

Course Description

This course is designed for Choral Music Education majors. It encompasses a practical and analytical approach to the understanding of basic playing and teaching techniques of the band and orchestral instruments.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course you should be able to:

  1. design instructional strategies for yourself to continue to grow as an instrumentalist.
  2. apply principles of care and maintenance for musical instruments.
  3. organize learning environments for instrumental groups.
  4. design instructional strategies for instrumental students.
  5. coordinate instrumental and choral ensembles.

Required Texts: Texts will be available through the bookstore or the instructor.

Required Materials

To be successful in this course you need to:

  1. read class handouts and method books.
  2. take carefully written notes.
  3. maintain a record of your practice time devoted to developing your ability on 3 different musical instruments (1 string, 1 woodwind, and 1 brass).
  4. successfully complete 3 written tests in the Testing Center.
  5. produce an organized notebook with tabbed dividers for "Strings," "Woodwinds," "Brass," and "Percussion."
  6. participate in class activities and discussions.

Evaluation

Your achievement in the course will be evaluated using the following assessment strategies:

  1. Consistent effort towards developing your ability to learn a string, woodwind, and brass instrument. In order to develop your technique, you will need to regularly practice. Good practice consists of: (a) warm-ups for endurance, efficiency, and flexibility, (b) playing known songs by ear, (c) improvising, and (d) reading musical notation. (75 points).
  2. Three written tests on playing and teaching techniques for instrumental music students and the care and maintenance of musical instruments (50 x 3 = 150 points)
  3. An organized notebook (75 points).

Since the assignments are designed to help you complete other assignments, all assignments must be completed (regardless of total points) to receive a C or higher in the course. 10% will be subtracted for each day an assignment is late. You may figure out your final letter grade by dividing the sum of your points by 300. You may have to lower your grade based on your attendance or punctuality.

A, A- = Outstanding completion of all course requirements or 90-100%
B+, B, B- = All course requirements completed with competence and accuracy or 80-89%
C+, C, C- = All course requirements adequately completed or 70-79%
D+, D, D- = Some course requirements not completed or 60-69%
E = Several course requirements not completed or 59% or below
 

Attendance and Punctuality

Class attendance is mandatory. The class meets approximately 30 times, twice a week for fifteen weeks. Since knowledge and information will be shared that will not be readily available outside of class, individuals who miss class or are late for class generally perform worse on all assignments; they also slow the progress of their classmates. For this reason, you are entitled to two unexcused absences. After this point, an unexcused absence will result in your grade being lowered a letter grade. Failing to arrive on time for two class meetings will be considered an unexcused absence. If you miss class, it is entirely your responsibility to attempt to make up the missed work. It is inappropriate to rob class time to make up for your absence.

Notebook

You should figure out a way to collect materials offered to you in this course you will be able to use as a future reference. It should have a word-processed table of contents and tabbed sections for "Strings," "Woodwinds," "Brass," and "Percussion," Materials for your notebook should be drawn from: (a) class notes, (b) handouts, (c) notes on your reading assignments, and (d) your tests.The notebook will be due on the last class of the semester. It will be returned to you so you may use it as a future reference.

Calendar

Since we try to have various experts on various instruments assist the class, this calendar may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

Unit 1: Strings and Percussion (Focus upon Violin, Viola, Snare Drum, Timpani, Cello, String Bass, and Guitar)
Unit 2: Woodwinds and Percussion (Focus upon Clarinet, Flute, Mallets, Percussion Accessories, Marching Percussion, Saxophone, Oboe, and Bassoon)
Unit 3: Brass and Percussion (Focus upon Trumpet, Trombone, Drum Set, Horn, Baritone, Euphonium, and Tuba)

Disabled Stduents' Notice

Any student requiring accomodations or services due to a disability must contract Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.