TROMBONE STUDIO OF DEBRA TAYLOR

Syllabus for Applied Trombone Lessons
Fall 2007
APMS 101, 102, 119, 120, 201, 202, 219, 220, 301, 302, 319, 320, 401, 402, 419, 420, 501, 502 

djtaylor@unm.edu
Room B207
Phone: w. 277-0143 or h. 232-9377.  Do not call after 9 PM.

           
Required Texts/Materials:

Pilafian and Sheridan, Breathing Gym, book or DVD
Bordogni, Melodious Etudes for Trombone, Volume I (edited by Rochut)
Blazhevich, Clef Studies
Blank spiral ring notebook, for weekly assignments
Three-ring binder for handouts
One of the following:
	Arban: Method Book for Trombone
	Tyrell
	Voxman
	Kopprasch, 60 Selected Studies
For 400 level lessons and above:
	Gordon Cherry Orchestral Excerpt CD
	One of the following etude books: Bitsch, Bozza, Boutry or Masson

Attendance:

It is the student’s responsibility to notify me BEFORE missing a lesson, except in extenuating circumstances.  This must be done via phone, at one of the above numbers. 
Please be on time to lessons.  Repeated tardiness will affect your final grade.

Every lesson is graded.  The lowest lesson grade each semester will be dropped and the rest of the grades will be averaged, totaling 40% of the final grade.  Each student will be allowed only ONE un-excused absence during a semester.  The second un-excused absence will result in a lowering of the semester grade by one full letter grade.  Three un-excused absences will result in a semester grade of “F” and the student will be removed from the studio.

Lesson Time Changes:

Occasionally I will need to reschedule your lesson.  I will notify you via e-mail or phone.  Please be sure to confirm that you received my message.  Any change of time or location will also be posted on the bulletin board outside my studio door.

Course Structure and Practice:

Each semester we will develop and write a “What’s Next?” list.  This is a short (three or four item) list of specific technical issues tailored to the student’s development.  Consistent progress on each item during the course of a semester will ensure you a good grade.  Etudes, solos and exercises will be assigned with a focus on these technical issues. 

You will be required to make two copies of a typed “Solutions” paper, which will consist of a list of exercises/ techniques/theories for how to improve in each area.

Each lesson should be thought of as a “performance” of the assigned material.  You should come to lessons warmed up and ready to perform. 

The amount of practice required will vary from one student to another.  Most Music Education majors will be successful with twelve hours per week.  Students taking trombone as a secondary instrument should plan to practice seven hours per week.  Performance majors are expected to practice a minimum of twenty-one hours per week.     

Practice Chart:

Students enrolled in MUS 101, 119, and 120 will need to fill in a weekly Practice Chart, logging the amount of time practiced.  You will also be asked to write your weekly practice goal at the bottom of the chart.

Required Performances:

You are required to do three solo performances per semester.  You will need to perform with piano at each performance, unless otherwise specified.  It is your responsibility to hire a pianist, provide him/her with the piano accompaniment and schedule at least one rehearsal.  In addition, ALL STUDENTS must be heard in their lesson with their accompanist before the first performance of a semester.

            The three performances are:

1. Concert Music Recital Series in Keller Hall.  These are every Thursday at 2 PM.  It is highly recommended that you sign up early in the semester (forms are at the Keller Hall office) in order to get the optimal choice of dates. 
2. Studio Recital will be Sunday, December 2 at 12 noon.
3. Juries 

Studio Class:

Attendance is required at the weekly Studio Class.  Students are expected to perform orchestral excerpts and solos regularly.  An unexcused absence from studio class will result in an “F” being averaged into the weekly lesson grades.

Transcription Project:

Each semester you will transcribe a recorded solo of your choice, either classical or jazz.  The solo will be learned by ear, then written down.  This improves ear training skills and soloistic style.

Final CD Project:

Each student will record a CD, which will include required scales for the semester, an etude or orchestral excerpts, and a solo (NOT a recording from a performance).  Piano accompaniment is optional for this project.  The CD is due Friday, November 30 at 3 PM.

Scale Tests:

Students will be tested for scale proficiency.    Freshmen will be required to play all twelve major scales, two octaves, with a pattern of quarter and eighth notes.  All others will be required to play melodic minor scales, two octaves.

For all students, only two mistakes are allowed, and will need to be corrected on a second play-through.  Failure of this standard will require retesting, with a passing grade.  Scale tests will be given in your lessons during the week of December 3.

Who What When Where Why:

This type-written paper is due each fall.  Please keep a copy for yourself in your three-ring binder.  It is intended to help you focus on you dream career in music, and to keep your goals in mind while practicing.  The format can be as follows:

• Who:  The title of your primary job
• What:  The details of all your musical endeavors
• When:  The year that you will attain this dream
• Where: Part of the country you would like to live in, or size of city, or region, or state
• Why: When you are at the audition or interview, what are your strengths or future strengths? Why will they choose YOU for the job?

Required Concert/Master Class Attendance:

I will require attendance at master classes given by guests.  Attending as many concerts as possible is important and inspiring.

Grading:

Each lesson will be graded.  I will drop the lowest grade at the end of the semester.

	Lesson preparation	40%
	Three performances	30%
	Scale Tests	10%
	Final CD project	20%

Concentration Approval Form:

After the student completes MU 120, the brass faculty will decide whether or not to officially admit the student into the College of Fine Arts.  Denial of this will mean that the student will not be able to major in music at UNM.  The brass faculty may also allow the student to retake MU 120, giving him/her another opportunity to show the level of playing needed to be accepted as a music major at UNM.

Guidelines for Success:

The best ways to ensure progress are:

1. Do breathing exercises for 15 minutes daily, then transfer that ease to the trombone.
2. Warm up well. 
3. Focus on the “To Do” list that I give you, during every practice session.
4. Record yourself three times per week.
5. Perform as often as possible.  Performing for friends is great.

We all have our own metaphorical “mountain” to climb.  The most dedicated students will find themselves higher up their mountain when they graduate.  They will be the ones with the most exciting career opportunities.    

9/07