Course Syllabus

MUSC 1840 String Workshop and Pedagogy I

Course Description

This course focuses on learning the fundamental skills necessary to play the string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and string bass), and the skills necessary to teach those fundamentals to others. Required for instrumental music majors.

Justification

The instrumental music major, regardless of his/her main instrument, must attain a playing proficiency on all of the other instruments in the band and orchestra. Following this course, students will continue with the woodwind, brass, and percussion families. Courses of this type are taught at other schools in Utah that grant degrees in Music Education. This class most closely resembles MUSC 1750 (String Instrument Study I and Lab) at the University of Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Each semester students will learn to play one of the four primary string instruments, (violin, viola, cello, bass) as assigned by the instructor.
2. Students will be able to discuss and write about current topics in string music education.
3. Students will be able to teach mock lessons and rehearse other beginning students in front of the string pedagogy class.
4. Students will be able to identify major musical works of string orchestra literature.

Course Content

Students will study current string method books that contain multicultural music, in addition to teaching musical terms and skills from said cultures. Class discussions will include approaches to teaching about this music with respect and cultural understanding. The course will also provide short teaching experiences during class, which will be reviewed and discussed by the teacher and fellow students. These reviews and discussions will include ideas for teaching all perspectives in a string orchestra class, as well as other string teaching techniques.