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Course Syllabus

MUSC 4626 Private Woodwinds IV

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: .5-1; Lab: 1-2
  • Repeatable: Yes.
  • Prerequisites: MUSC 3626 and permission of instructor
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2025
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 1
  • Maximum Class Size: 1

Course Description

This course provides students with individual woodwind instruction. Private instruction is required of music majors each semester during college. Music majors receive 12 one-hour lessons during the semester. This course develops and improves a student's technical, interpretive, improvisational, pedagogical, and sight reading skills as well as developing a student's understanding of the history and repertory of the specific instrument/voice. The course promotes synthesis of various types of musical knowledge. A jury is required at the end of the semester. Students must successfully pass the jury at the end of their second semester of 3000 level private instruction in order to register for 4000 level private instruction. An additional fee is required. The course is repeatable 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.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate established and consistent practice habits.
  2. Students will learn repertoire appropriate to an advanced grade level.
  3. Students will integrate the advanced technique skills necessary to perform challenging/professional level repertoire.
  4. Students will memorize music for performance (where appropriate).

Course Content

This course covers the following:
Posture
Embouchure development
How to produce good tone quality, including helping students find good equipment
Intonation
Articulation-tonguing exercises for accuracy and speed
Blowing and Breathing
Hand position
Finger technique-scales, arpeggios, relaxed fingers, etc.
Expression
Reed work (if applicable)
Style-including an understanding of time periods and regional norms
Performance skills, including management of nerves and appropriate presentation on stage