COURSE SYLLABUS - MUSA 128-628 BASSOON (Spring 2012)
COURSE
DESCRIPTION: Instruction in bassoon technique and performance:
individual lesson.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1) Improved
performance skills on the bassoon and if appropriate the
contrabassoon; 2) Introduction and continued mastery of bassoon reed
adjustment and making; 3) Study of performance and pedagogical
materials including solo music, studies, and published writings, 4)
Applications of technology to bassoon performance or
teaching, 5) Development of musicianship.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Music or method books to
be purchased will be discussed on an individual basis. Complete
parts to the required orchestral repertoire will be furnished at
lessons. All students must have a metronome, reed making tools, and
the means to practice with MIDI or MP3 files. Bassoon major students
will also need to purchase a contrabassoon reed. Bassoon students
should have all required materials for their lessons including their
Applied Bassoon Lessons Assignment Sheet.
The Double
Reed will provide material for discussion in master classes and
lessons. Students are encouraged to join the International Double
Reed Society so that they will have The Double Reed for
discussions.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students
should be adequately prepared for each lesson. This includes
ample practice during the week, long tone and scale practice with
MIDI files, arriving with all materials needed for the lesson (music,
instrument, reeds etc.), and being warmed-up BEFORE the lesson
starts. Any student who is unable to fulfill these
responsibilities should talk with me. Students must find their own
accompanist for juries, recitals, or other performances.
COFAC CIVITY CODE: See Appendix below.
MAKEUP
POLICY: Students are required to attend lessons at the assigned
time. Students must notify me at least 24 hours prior to the
lesson to reschedule. Lessons are not automatically
rescheduled, but based upon my ability to do so. For my policy
on penalties for missed lessons please see the discussion
below.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Bassoon Reed
Making
Performance and music education majors (except
Freshmen) with bassoon as the major instrument are required to make
bassoon reeds. They will play all juries and university
performances on self-made reeds (except Freshmen). Freshmen
must complete the reed making test this semester.
Bassoon
Student Notebook
Students will maintain notebooks that
contain materials distributed in lessons and master classes, items
written by the student, and other useful information. This
should be a three ring binder with section dividers. The
notebook will be graded upon its completeness and organization.
We will further discuss its contents in the master class.
Minimum
Materials for Bassoon Student Notebook for this semester
1.
Lesson notes and other notes.
2. Career.
Include your CV, list of career options or areas of interest.
(Students are encouraged to sign up for Hire@TU and consult the free
web-based features. Even if you are not seeking employment, it is
important to learn about the job market.)
3.
Assessment. Jury forms, other assessment exams.
4.
Notes on Baroque ornamentation. Musical examples completed.
4.
Handouts by Ewell including new fingering chart, five components, reed finishing, practicing with drones, excerpts
5. Other Items the student
deems appropriate (including past materials)
Bassoon
Digital Project
Students will provide a digital recording of one of their ornamented versions of a Baroque movement.
Lesson, Master Classes, and Concerts
Students are
required to attend lessons. Students need to inform me at least 24 hours in advance of an
absence. When it is possible the missed lessons will be rescheduled
for medical or excused absences. Two unexcused absences will result
in lowering by ½ of a quality point (4.00 to 3.5; A to
A-, etc.) with each subsequent unexcused absence an additional
lowering by ½ of a quality point.
Master class hours
are Friday 11a.m.-1 p.m. room 2102 or specified. Students are excused from master class for other courses that meet during those hours. Otherwise attendance is required. The master class address Baroque ornamentation. In addition, we will be working on making reeds and honing reed finishing skills.
Students are expected to preview the video series I have created on Baroque ornatation available at: http://www.2reed.net/bdp/#ornamentation or on Youtube.
Contrabassoon Lesson
One contrabasson lesson a year for music majors.
Jury
All students must take a jury unless they
have recently given a recital. Students are expected to dress professionally for juries. Unprofessional presentations will receive a lower jury grade.
Performance Health
At least every two years music lessons and master classes will address prevention of performance injuries and issues of health for performers.
In Fall 2012 we will address these issues.
Students with
Disabilities: Towson University (TU) is in full compliance with
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities should register
with the Office for Students with Disabilities (Dowell Hall, Second
Level, 410/830-2638) after admission to ensure the timely provision
of required support services. Students must provide documentation of
a disability from the TU Office for Students with Disabilities.
Spring Required Recitals
Quintigre Feb. 28, 8:15 Recital Hall
USA music April 4, 8:15 Recital Hall
Grades
The final grade: 60% lessons
and master class, 25% jury grade, 15% Bassoon Student Notebook
(includes the Bassoon Digital Project). Fulfillment of the
course requirements and attendance at lessons and master classes and
required concerts will influence the final grade. Students are
granted one unexcused absence from master classes, lessons, and
required concerts. Further unexcused absences will lower the final
grade by ½ of a quality point (4.00 to 3.5; A to A-, etc.).
Non-music majors are expected to practice at least one
hour per day, education majors one and one-half hours, and
performance majors at least two hours per day. The table below
serves as a guide for my grade expectations. This guide will be
modified on an individual basis. I do plan to use “+”
and “-“ grading, but no longer will be using C-
grades.
UNDERGRADUATE
Completed
- - - - - - - - - MAJOR - - - - - - - - -
Per
Semester
Performance
Education/
Non-music
BS in
Music
Bassoon as 2nd
instr.
Grade
Grade
Grade
# of
Studies
20+
A
14
A
12 A
17
B
12
B
10
B
14
C
10
C
8
C
11
D
8
D
6
D
# of Orchestral
2
A
1
A
0
A
Parts
1
B
0
B
0
C
One solo piece,
preferably several movements.
GRADUATE
To
be determined on an individual basis.
Double Reed Studio (2102)
Rules
2102 is the double reed room. You will be able to
check out a key to the room to use the equipment and even practice.
The key will be available from the music office front desk during
office hours. You will need to leave your student ID when you
check out the key.
Double Reed studio rules:
1) Faculty
(Daglar and Ewell) use of the office comes first.
2) Student use of
reed making equipment and the computer for Audacity recording is the
next priority
3) Student use of the office for practice and
rehearsals is the last priority.
FOOD AND DRINK IS NOT ALLOWED
IN THE DOUBLE REED STUDIO EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE FACULTY.
Bottled water is OK, just keep it away from instruments and
equipment.
Students are expected to return the room to a clean
and orderly appearance. Reed tools and microphone need to be locked
in the cabinet. Reed shavings and other scrapes need to be cleaned up
and thrown away.
APPENDIX
Civility Code Introduction
All College of Fine Arts & Communication Studies students, staff, and faculty are committed to collegial and academic citizenship demonstrating high standards of humane, ethical, professional, and civil behavior in all interactions.
We must take responsibility for the relationship between our personal conduct and the quality of campus life. What we do and say always has an effect on others, whether we see it or not. Civility means more than respecting campus facilities and grounds. Civility means consistently treating people with consideration and respect. It means being courteous, polite, and fair. It means recognizing diversity and honoring differing points of view. When our behavior is guided by concern for others in our community, we are being civil. Practicing civility requires thoughtful behavior and checking our assumptions and perceptions of others’ race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, abilities, culture, belief systems and economic status.
Civility Code
COFAC places a priority on learning. We value the inherent worth and dignity of every person, thereby fostering a community of mutual respect. Students have the right to a learning environment free of disruptive behaviors. Faculty have the right to define appropriate behavioral expectations in the classroom and expect students to abide by them. Faculty have the responsibility to manage and address classroom disruption. Staff have the right and responsibility to define appropriate behaviors necessary to conduct any university activity free of disruption or obstruction.
We believe that in order to achieve these ideals, all COFAC students, staff, and faculty are expected to exhibit and practice civil behaviors that exemplify: (1) respecting faculty, staff, fellow students, guests, and all university property, policies, rules and regulations; (2) taking responsibility for one’s choices, actions and comments; (3) delivering correspondence – whether verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic – with respectful language using professional writing standards and etiquette; and (4) accepting consequences of one’s choices and actions.
The use of threatening or abusive language, writing, or behavior will not be tolerated and can lead to academic dismissal. Further information about civility can be found in Appendix F of the university catalog.
Approved by COFAC College Council on November 09, 2011