I. Course Title: Applied Music: Organ
II. Course Number: MUSC 343
III. Credit Hours: 1-2 credits
IV. Prerequisites: By Audition and Permission of the Instructor.
Corequisites: MUSC 101: Recital Attendance (music majors only).
V. Course Description:
Half hour private lesson (one credit) or one hour private lesson (two credits).
Note(s): Applied Learning designated course. May be taken again for credit.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
Applied lessons are designed to develop a knowledge of musical concepts, both general in nature as well as those which are specific to the instrument. This knowledge will include general concepts of musicianship such as phrasing, intonation, historical performance practices, and healthy technical development. The issues specific to each instrument will include many technical aspects of performance, including tone-building, scales, physiology and tendencies of the instrument, articulation, expressivity, as well as interpreting the diverse literature of the instrument, in original works and/or transcriptions. An historical overview of the instrument's development and its place in musical society as well as some general theoretical principles as they apply to each instrument and its performance will be discussed. Students will acquire practice and assessment skills to address both their own and others’ musical development and the confidence to perform confidently and artistically.
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
Students receive weekly, individual instruction on the applied instrument at an appointed time. Students will perform or present selections assigned the previous week of instruction to the best of their ability. Professor and the student will discuss technical, musical, cultural and historical aspects of the works. Each lesson will conclude after assignments for the following week.
Adequate and productive practice is necessary for students to achieve benchmarks and to be prepared for a quality lesson. Every lesson should be both a challenge and an opportunity for growth for a student. In order for this environment to exist, it is essential that a student has prepared adequately for each lesson. Students should plan to practice AT LEAST 2-3 hours EVERY DAY. This is a MINIMUM amount of time that will allow for sufficient progress, absorption of new ideas and material, technical development, and performance practice. Noticeable progress at each lesson should be a professional norm.
Depending on the studio, students may also be expected to participate in studio classes, masterclasses, departmental recitals, and/or other events outside the classroom during the semester. All students participate in a performance jury at the end of the semester with a panel of music faculty.
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
Student Learning Outcomes
Through daily practice, weekly lessons, and performances in studio classes, departmental recitals, etc., and a summative jury, students will gain a more confident command of the instrument both technically and musically. Furthermore, through the study of original literature and/or transcriptions, students will gain a more holistic understanding of the instrument’s history and its place in the larger musical world. As a repeatable course, it is expected that students will develop skills that allow them to perform increasingly more varied and challenging repertoire each semester. Finally, over time, students will become more acutely aware of their personal learning style, enabling them to become their own best educational advocate even after graduation.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
Students will be assessed on individual progress toward and achievement of specific benchmarks in lessons, studio classes, departmental recitals, and/or other criteria each semester as determined by the studio professor.
Further, all music majors are required to participate in performance juries at the end of the semester, evaluated by a panel of music faculty who, collectively, determine a jury grade for the student. As per music department policy, the jury grade will count for at least 15% of the overall applied grade for the semester.
At the jury, each student will perform materials selected from those prepared during that semester of study. These materials may include any or all of the following: scales, etudes, technique or tone studies, excerpts, solo music, chamber music, or ensemble music. Sight-reading also may be evaluated in the jury performance.
Review and Approval
March 01, 2021