Course Syllabus

MUSC 3736 Private Strings III

Course Description

This course provides individual musical instruction at an intermediate to advanced level. Private instruction is required of all music majors each semester. Music performance majors are required to take 60-minute lessons each week, while music education and music therapy students are required to take 30-minute lessons each week. All students are also required to participate in regular master classes, recitals and juries, which fulfill the lab portion of the course. The course is also available to non-music majors who wish to develop their musicianship and performance skills. An additional fee is required. This course may be repeated for credit.

Justification

As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Snow College is required to provide competent private instruction for music majors in all vocal and instrumental specialties. Private instruction is required of music majors in four-year music degree programs and must appear on student transcripts. This course offers an excellent opportunity for all Snow College students to develop musicianship and performance skills. Courses of this type are taught at all NASM accredited institutions in Utah. This course is most like MUSC 3945, Private Lessons III: Music Major: Strings, at the University of Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Third year private lesson students will be able to demonstrate the following:
2. Continue to develop good practice habits, and keep track of practice hours using a practice journal or log sheet. Students will then submit the record at the end of the semester to the instructor, as part of the grading process.
3. Learn repertoire appropriate to intermediate to an advanced grade level. Literature will be chosen by the student and teacher and assessed for progress by the teacher on a weekly basis during private lessons.
4. Learn intermediate and advanced technique skills necessary to perform more challenging repertoire. Technical skills will be discussed and assessed during each private lesson and as part of juries and performances.
5. Memorize music for performance (where appropriate). Performing music from memory will be assessed during public performances.
6. Perform in master classes, recitals and other public events. As required, and under the direction of the teacher, students will be asked to perform in recitals and similar venues as part of the class grade.
7. Perform an end-of-semester jury. As part of the course grade, students will perform for the other string faculty in a string jury.

Course Content

Practice journal development;
• Continuing work on body posture including embouchure, hand and feet positions, and breathing techniques;
• Advanced technique study, including use of vibrato and performance in extreme ranges;
• Greater focus on instruction in performance practice appropriate to stylistic periods;
• Continuing development of tone strength and quality within all ranges of the instrument;
• Development of dynamic ranges appropriate to all types of literature;
• In depth study of languages necessary to perform music appropriately;
• Study of major and minor scales and arpeggios;
• Study of method books and etudes appropriate to student playing level;
• Study of solo repertoire appropriate for third-year college students and/or the individual level of the student;
• Development of performance technique, including memorization techniques, stage deportment and anxiety management;
• Study and practice will be assessed through instructor feedback and public performance.