Horn Major Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

MUAP-1243-001 Horn Major

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Audition or instructor consent

Course Description

One 60-minute lesson per week, minimum 10 hours of outside practice per week required. For music majors, in their major area of performance. Emphasis on development of technique, musicianship and extensive repertoire from contrasting historical periods.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) have developed a comprehensive overview of neuromusculoskeletal, vocal and hearing health issues for postsecondary schools and departments of music.  Information of a medical nature is provided by PAMA; information regarding contextual issues in music programs, by NASM. The following links address the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, neuromusculoskeletal and vocal injury—all of which are widespread and serious public health issues for musicians and others.

NASM-PAMA Advisories on Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health

• Student guide: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/4a_NASM_PAMA_NMH-Student_Guide-Standard_June-2014.pdf

NASM-PAMA Advisories on Hearing Health :

• Student guide: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/publications/brochures-advisories/nasm-pama-nms-vocal-health/

Student information sheets:

• Musculosketal: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/5a_NASM_PAMA_NMH-Student_Information_Sheet-Standard-NMH_June-2014.pdf
• Vocal: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/6a_NASM_PAMA_NMH-Student_Information_Sheet-Standard-Vocal_June-2014.pdf
• Hearing: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/publications/brochures-advisories/nasm-pama-nms-vocal-health/

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(2 sem hr; 1 hr lesson, 10 hr practice)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Material as assigned by Professor.  Student must have a functional instrument and be ready to purchase any and all ancillary material assigned by the instructor.

Supplies

A French Horn and all best common practice accessories, plus assigned material and aids.

Student Performance

Purpose:

This course of study is designed to establish and enhance a student’s musicianship, technical proficiency and facility, pedagogical skills, and knowledge of concepts and literature, in order to meet the requirements and demands of a professional musician.

 

Objectives:

1. To establish the concepts and command of sound production essentials, including the following:

• Breathing and airflow, including physiological descriptions and functionality.
• A strong embouchure that is strong and responsive.
• To develop the ability to aurally identify and verbally describe the characteristics of sound, including, tonal center, pitch, clarity, resonance, vibrato, intonation, etc.

 

1. Develop systematic approaches toward proficiency and the improvement of:

• Sound production
• Register connection (the ability to play between registers with a consistent tone and air flow)
• Embouchure flexibility (the ability to rapidly slur and/or tongue small and large intervals without a disturbance of the air stream, tone/timbre, and overall tonal center)
• Range
• Strength, power, and tone production endurance
• Finger flexibility, facility, and endurance
• Articulation (style, control, speed, and endurance)
• Internalization and aural skills in order to produce musical patterns (scales, arpeggios, interval cells, and rhythmic pulse and subdivisions)
• Sight reading and transposition skills

1. Acquire the tools necessary to interpret music responsibly, creatively, and thoroughly.
2. Establish familiarity with solo, chamber, band, and orchestral literature associated with the trumpet.
3. Develop skills in performance preparation, including:

• Effective skill acquisition
• Effective and constructive problem solving
• Proactive time management
• Rehearsal strategies
• Mental focus
• Consistency

1. Have a substantial musical experience as a performer in both solo and ensemble literature.
2. Develop and utilize appropriate pedagogical tools and techniques for future teaching and self-application.
3. Develop self initiative and acquire the ability for successful continued study on the trumpet beyond the formal education environment.
4. Develop the understanding of how to use musical concepts, skills, and problem-solving techniques in non-musical disciplines.

 

Requirements for Applied Course of Study in French Horn:

• Students must “practice” a minimum of 14 hours per week (2 hours per day).  If this requirement is not met, the lesson may be canceled or stopped by the instructor, and a lesson grade of “Fail” will be given.
• The student must own a personal metronome (preferably one that subdivides).
• The student must own a personal tuner.
• The student must own a personal published copy of all literature (unless out of print) assigned by the instructor, and bring all assigned literature to every lesson. 
• The student will prepare and perform at least two solos per semester, and alert the instructor of when and where the performances take place within an acceptable timeframe.
• Students must have and operate an e-mail address on a daily basis.  It is suggested the e-mail messages be checked multiple times a day, including before your day begins.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

A professional attitude in any and all course events, 14 hours of practice per week, and willingness to put the concepts discussed in lessons, into action in one’s personal practice and instrument philosophy.

Grading Criteria

Weekly lesson grade (60% of final grade)-

Each student will be responsible for all weekly lesson objectives outlined in the weekly lesson record.  The weekly lesson record is a running document (In Grade Center of Course online Shell) that outlines what is covered in each lesson, the next lesson objectives, and a lesson synopsis written by the student.  At the end of a lesson, the instructor will immediately update the weekly lesson record document to the student.  The student is then responsible for writing the lesson synopsis, at the end of that day’s lesson record within the weekly lesson record, and e-mail the weekly lesson record document back to the instructor within 48 hours (failure to do so constitutes an automatic grade of “fail” for that lesson).

Weekly lesson are on a “pass” and “fail” basis.  The student has either efficiently practiced the objectives, outlined by the instructor, and is able to meet the objectives; or the student has not efficiently practiced the objectives and is unable to meet the objectives.  Remember, “do or do not, there is no try.”

Final weekly lesson grades will be as follows (based on 13 lesson weeks in a semester):

12-13 passed lessons= A

10-11 passed lessons= B

8-9 passed lessons= C

6-7 passed lessons= D

≤5 passed lessons= F

 

 

Performance (20% of final grade)-

The performance grade will be based on the two required semester performances (trumpet class, guest master classes, convocation, etc.).  An average of the two solo performances will be the final performance grade.

 

Final scales examination (20% of final grade)-

The scales exam will be administered during the last lesson of the semester.  The format is as follows: 

The student will play all major scales with major arpeggios, and melodic and harmonic minor scales with the minor arpeggios (36 scales and 24 arpeggios total).  The students may attempt the scale and arpeggio up to four times only.  If the scale is passed (no missed notes, cracks, glitches, etc.) on the first attempt, it is a 1, the second attempt is a 2, the third attempt is a 3, and the fourth attempt is a 4.  The lower the score the better the grade, where a total score of 60 is perfect, and a score of 240 is the absolute worse.  The delineation of grades from the scores are as follows: A=60-80, B=81-100, C=101-120, D=121-140, F≥141.

 

Jury Examinations- Students are required to take a jury exam every semester.  A solo, with accompaniment, will be performed; in addition, you are responsible, at the faculty’s option, for all literature studied since your previous jury (etudes, scales, transposition studies, etc.).  Bring these materials with you.

The instructor reserves the right to adhere any and all departmental policies regarding juries and jury grading.

 

Attendance

There are no free unexcused absences.  All absences, with a legitimate excuse, must be approved by the instructor in a timely fashion.  If in doubt, contact the instructor of the course.  Examples of legitimate excuses are school related trip/event, death, accidents, family emergencies, illness, and religious reasons (approved by instructor before or during the first week of classes).  For every unexcused absence, one-third of a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

Lessons-

            Attendance is mandatory.  Excused absences must be approved by the instructor at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson.  If there is an emergency, please contact the instructor in a timely fashion.  Examples of excused absences are death, accidents, family emergencies, illness, and religious reasons (approved by instructor before or during the first week of classes).  Contact the instructor regarding any missed lesson.

           

Studio recitals and trumpet related events-

            Attendance is mandatory.  Excused absences must be approved by the instructor at least 24 hours before the scheduled recital.  If there is an emergency, please contact the instructor in a timely fashion.  Examples of excused absences are class conflicts, death, accidents, family emergencies, illness, and religious reasons (approved by instructor before or during the first week of classes).

            A list of trumpet recitals and events will be listed on the instructor’s office door. The list will be updated as necessary, and reminders will be e-mailed to the students.

 

Special note-

            In the event that the instructor is unable to attend any of the above-mentioned events due to illness, official Department of Music business, or an emergency, a note will be placed on the instructor’s office door, an e-mail sent, and/or phone call placed in order to alert the students affected by the absence.

            There will be no penalty to students for the instructor missing any of the above-mentioned events.  It will be at the discretion of the instructor whether or not the event will be rescheduled.