Flute Major Syllabus for 2021-2022
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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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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Course

MUAP-1219-001 Flute 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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

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

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Flutist's Vade Mecum, by Walfrid Kujala (required): 

 

Mindset, by Carol Dweck (recommended, not required): 

 

Supplies

Flute

Cleaning rod and soft cleaning cloth

Pencil

Helen Blackburn's Super Duper Warmups (distributed to student)

Solo repertoire and other studies, as determined by teacher

Thumbport (recommended, not required): 

 

Student Performance

In this course, the student will:

1. Attend and actively participate in weekly flute lessons. The student must complete 15 hour-long lessons with the teacher, at least 8 of which must be in person at the AC Washington Street Campus. The remainder of the lessons may be taught online, although it is strongly recommended that the student attend in person as many of the remaining lessons as possible.
2. Develop great flute and musical habits through practicing fundamentals and learning to apply these fundamentals to repertoire.
3. Study concepts surrounding growth mindset, as defined by Carol Dweck in her book, Mindset. This will help cultivate a joy and love for learning, as well as develop resilience to performance anxiety.
4. Perform a final departmental jury, based on flute material studied throughout the semester. The student must perform this jury in person at the AC Washington Streeet Campus on Monday, December 13. 

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

To receive an "A" grade, the student is expected to:

1. Show up to lessons on time and prepared. 
2. Participate respectfully in lessons.
3. Practice a minimum of 10 hours on flute, outside of class, lessons, and ensembles.
4. Complete all assignments on time.
5. Demonstrate reasonable progress in their flute and musical skills (which will come as a natural result of following instructions in lessons, practicing, and completing lesson assignments).

Grading Criteria

The final grade will be determined by: 

1. Weekly lessons: 85% of final grade. To receive an "A" grade for a weekly lesson, the student must show up on time to the lesson (whether virtual or in person), participate respectfully in the lesson, and make an active effort to grow and improve upon their flute and musical skills, as guided by the instructor. The student must demonstrate satisfactory progress each week (which will be evident if the student is practicing and following the instructions received in lessons).
2. Departmental jury: 15% of final grade. To receive an "A" grade for a final jury, the student must demonstrate satisfactory progress in their flute fundamentals. The student must play the jury material cleanly, with good rhythm, style, and thoughtful musical intent, as discussed in lessons.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, attendance is required at all lessons (whether in person or online) and the final jury. The student is allowed one unexcused absence throughout the semester with no penalty. Each unexcused absence after the first will result in an automatic F grade for the lesson. Three unexcused absences will result in an automatic failure of the class. An unexcused absence for the final jury will result in failure of the class.

If the student encounters a scheduling conflict with weekly scheduled lessons, the student must contact the instructor prior to the scheduled lesson time to request a rescheduled lesson for that week, at the instructor's discretion.

In the face of extenuating circumstances, the instructor will be as flexible as possible to set up a makeup lesson, at the instructor's discretion.

Calendar

Additional Information

Pointers for flute practice:

1. Focus on flute fundamentals in your practice: warmups, tone exercises, scales, arpeggios, etc. THEN, focus on the music you're working on. Fundamentals will make playing the music much more fun and easy! In our lessons, we will discuss specific fundamentals to work on in your practice sessions.
2. Take practice breaks - they will help you avoid injury due to overuse! Try to take about 15 minutes of break time every 45-60 minutes of practice (at least). I have found it helpful to use that break time to work on homework. The AC Music Major Handbook has some pointers on how to avoid injury and protect your hearing health, as well: https://www.actx.edu/music/amarillo-college-music-major-handbook . 
3. Schedule out your practice sessions. Write them down in your planner, phone calendar, or whatever reminder system you use.  This will help you make sure you're giving yourself enough time to practice, which is SO important to your success on flute. 

From the AC Music Major Handbook, regarding practice rooms: 

Practice rooms will each be assigned for specific music-major use to limit the number of potential interactions in each space, with students scheduling time in their assigned practice room to allow time for proper sanitization between sessions.  Students will be required to use “gym etiquette”: students clean their instruments and equipment (i.e. keyboards, music stands, chairs, etc.) in their rooms at the beginning and end of each practice session.  Anyone not following these rules will be subject to loss of their practice room privileges.

In addition:

Piano keyboards will be checked out to any student who does not have regular access to their own.  Instructors will provide information on the schedule for when students must have their keyboard with them in class.

Classrooms, studios, and practice rooms in the Music Building have been outfitted with HEPA/UVC air filters and air sanitizers.  These were purchased from music supplies and donation support, so please leave them in their assigned spaces. Practice-room units will run continuously.