Applied Lessons

Applied music lessons are intended to develop a student's musicianship and his or her proficiency on a chosen instrument. Students will receive a weekly private lesson focusing on assigned scales, etudes and repertoire. Students are required to practice daily between lessons and are expected to learn assigned material. Each lesson will focus on the prepared materials in an attempt to develop both instrumental skills, focusing on tone production, articulation, technique, rhythmic accuracy, and intonation, and to develop a student's musical and interpretive ability, exploring the concepts of line, phrasing, and style.

The Complete Clarinet (or Saxophone) Scale Book. London: Boosey and Hawkes, 2001.

Students may also be asked to purchase music or exercise books suggested by the instructor. Students are required to purchase their own editions of all music being worked on in lessons. (See copyright section below)

· to have any other equipment necessary to maintain a high standard of performance

Students may attempt to reschedule lessons without penalty if it is done 24 hours prior to the assigned lesson time. Lessons will be rescheduled if a new, mutually agreeable time can be established. Students should try to use this option sparingly. If a student misses a lesson without attempting to reschedule, they will receive a zero grade for that lesson.

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. Students suspected of cheating or plagiarizing will be reported to the appropriate academic authority and may be dropped from the course.

In accordance with the Fair Use provision of the copyright act, the use of photocopied materials will be restricted to handouts from the instructor. Using photocopies of complete parts or sections of method books will not be permitted unless the student owns his or her own copy of the part or book in question. For clarification of copyright regulations, please see the music student handbook.

Students will receive a grade every week. Grades will be based on the quality of playing in the lesson and for practicing.

Quality of Playing: Refers to the degree to which a student has prepared assigned material for a given lesson and the level of progress achieved during the week. Each lesson should be treated as a performance, meaning that students should arrive warmed up, with good reeds, a high level of preparation, and knowledge of any and all musical terms in pieces that are being played.

Practice: Music majors are expected to practice a minimum of two hours every day. Music minors and non-majors are expected to practice a minimum of 1 hour per day. Be aware that these are recommended minimum practice hours. Students are expected to practice additional hours if needed to arrive at each lesson with materials adequately prepared.

If the instructor feels that a student's practice or preparation for a lesson was inadequate, he may terminate the lesson and award the student a zero grade for that lesson.

If a student does not appear at a lesson with adequate materials (good reeds, required music or method books), the lesson may also be terminated and the student will receive a zero grade for that lesson.

Music Hours are an opportunity for music majors and minors to experience live performance and to showcase repertoire learned in applied lessons. All music majors and minors are required to attend Music Hours, which are scheduled on Thursday mornings at 9:30 in Ryan Recital Hall. Music Hours will be held on September 18, October 2, October 16, October 30, November 13 and December 4.

All music majors are required to perform on at least two Music Hours during the course of the semester. Each of the first two performances counts as one lesson toward the student's final semester grade. Every performance after the second one may be substituted for a lesson grade at the instructor's discretion.

Pieces performed at Music Hour may be selected for performance at McMurry Presents on November 6, 2003.

On occasion, woodwind recitals by students, faculty or guest artists take place on the McMurry University campus. All students enrolled in applied lessons are expected to attend these recitals. A list of recitals will be posted at the beginning of the semester. (The instructor reserves the right to add or delete required woodwind events from the recital calendar.)

There will be several studio classes during the semester. Studio classes will be scheduled and posted sometime during the second week of classes, once the instructor has received all student schedules. All students will be required to play at each class. Repertoire will be chosen in consultation with the instructor and will generally consist of current lesson material. Studio class will also be an opportunity to discuss instrumental and performance issues, including practice techniques, reeds, history, and repertoire. Attendance is mandatory. An unexcused absence will result in a deduction from your lesson grade for the week.

Each student is required to keep a lesson notebook (a three ring binder) in which they record weekly assignments and practice times. Each notebook also includes a section in which students can write other notes, thoughts, and ideas taken from lessons or practice sessions, and sections in which they keep track of listening assignments, studio classes and music hours. Students should include any handouts from lessons or studio classes in their notebooks. Lesson notebooks will be collected and graded at the end of the semester. Grades will be based on the accuracy and completeness of each student's entries, and on satisfactory completion of listening assignments.

Over the course of the semester, each student is required to complete several listening assignments (Music majors must compete six; music minors, three). Three pieces will be selected by the instructor (see below); students may choose the remainder of the repertoire

Each completed assignment should be recorded on a listening assignment form in the lesson notebook. Entries should include information about the performer(s) and/or ensemble, historical and/or biographical information from the record jacket, and personal observations. Music majors will be required to present one of their chosen pieces at a studio class. The demonstration should include a brief discussion of any interesting facts about the piece, and the presentation of excerpts from the piece, either performed by the student or from a recording.

Scores are available on reserve for several pieces. Please follow along as you listen.

All music majors are required to pass a jury at the end of each semester as part of the applied requirement in their principal instrument. Material to be performed at juries will be selected from scales, etudes, and repertoire played at lessons over the course of the semester. The instructor and jury committee will determine specific requirements. Jury grades awarded by the committee will be factored into the student's semester grade. Non-major juries take place on December 5. Juries for majors will take place on December 9.

Piano parts for any jury music to be performed with accompaniment must be given to Mrs. Pritchard by November 13 at 5 PM.

In the event that a student is performing a piece that requires accompaniment, it is the student's responsibility to make arrange rehearsals with the accompanist. A score should be made available to the accompanist at least 4 weeks prior to the performance date. Before any piece requiring an accompaniment may be performed, the instructor must first hear it rehearsed twice with the accompanist.

All students are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one chamber music group (clarinet trio, saxophone duo, woodwind quintet, etc.) each semester. Groups will receive faculty coaching and be eligible for extra credit toward their lesson grades. A chamber music performance on a music hour may count toward a student's music hour performance requirement. Groups may also perform on the Student Chamber Music Concert on November 13 at 7:30 PM. Please check the library or consult with the instructor for repertoire suggestions.

The McMurry University Reed Ensemble is made up of students who play reed instruments - clarinets, saxophones, bassoons... and is open to any student enrolled at McMurry. The ensemble performs on campus at Music Department events including Music Hours (Thursday mornings from 9:30-10:25) and Student Chamber Music Concerts. The ensemble rehearses once a week for an hour. Rehearsal times will be determined depending on student's schedules. Students taking applied lessons are strongly encouraged to participate in this ensemble.

If you intend to participate in a chamber ensemble this semester and would like to receive credit, sign up for Woodwind Chamber Music (MUA 0140). You can also sign up for 0 hours and still have it appear on your transcripts.

Degree Recitals

If you are a junior or senior who is interested in performing a degree recital, please consult with the instructor. You will also need to follow the procedures outlined in the Department of Music Student Handbook.

Disability Services

McMurry University abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no otherwise qualified student shall be denied the benefits of an education “solely by reason of a handicap”. If you have a documented disability that may impact your performance in this class and for which you may require accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office, located in Old Main, Room 102.

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