Creative Arts Department - Levelland

Syllabus

 

Course Title:

MUSP 2243, ADVANCED APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC: FIDDLE. (2:0:4)

Instructor:

Ed Marsh

Office:

CB 110 Office Hours: As posted Office Telephone: (806) 894-9611, ext. 2274 - voice-mail configured. E-mail: mailto:emarsh@spc.cc.tx.us

Office Hours:

As posted

South Plains College Improves Each Student's Life

Private Music Lessons in the Commercial Music Department-

Private instruction in musical instruments/voice is open to all South Plains College students, but those seeking the A.A.A. Degree, or Certificate in Commercial Music, may be subject to additional departmental requirements (see Barrier Exams I & II, and Capstone Experience -below).

 

MUSP 2243 – Advanced Applied Commercial Music, Fiddle (2:0:4)

 

South Plains College Improves Each Student's Life

I. General Course Information:

A.

Description: Advanced private instruction in Fiddle with goals related to jazz or commercial music.

 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Barrier I Exam (see sec. I, E below).

 

The tradition of private instrument/vocal music lessons is based on a Mentor/Apprentice relationship where a professional teacher develops a curriculum (course of study) aimed at maximizing the student’s progress.

 

Note: The student will have sixty minutes of private instruction per week during which time the instructor will guide and monitor the student's daily practice. The remaining 3 program hours per week are guided study under the supervision of the instructor.

B.

Course Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate proficiency in commercial music repertoire and technique; develop a professional, disciplined approach to performance skills; and present a juried public performance or recital.

 

 

Students enrolled in Commercial Music Ensembles are required to take private instrument/voice lessons (waiver subject to the discretion of the department head). This enables the student to gain advantage from the teacher's ensemble experience. Students are encouraged to keep a folder of all printed (and/or manuscript) materials received in ensemble class. Lesson activities related to the use of these materials may be part of the course of study.

C.

Course Competencies: Departmental Competency Standards have been developed as guidelines for those seeking the A.A.A. Degree or Certificate in Commercial Music. These are a technical "base-line" only and do not constitute the entirety of the course of study. There are three areas of focus in the semester, and a grade is assigned in each.

 

Program Hours – The instructor will develop a program (an incremental and progressive course) of study based on an evaluation of the student’s level of ability. Weekly grades will be given based on the student’s completion of assigned program material. Also, see attendance policy sec. II, B.

 

Mid-term Exam - Students will demonstrate their instrumental ability, at mid-term, through an exam administered by their instructor. The grade is based on the quality of the student’s performance.

 

Public Jury – The final exam in the course. The grade is based on the quality of the student’s performance.

D.

Academic Integrity: It is the aim of the faculty of South Plains College to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of any student to present as his or her own work which he or she has not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense and renders the offender liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension. Students should refer to the SPC General Catalog, pg.22-23, regarding consequences for cheating and plagiarism (see "Academic Integrity" as well as "Student Conduct" sections).

E.

SCANS COMPETENCIES: C-1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 15, 18, 19

FOUNDATION SKILLS: F-1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

F.

Verification of Workplace Competencies: Successful completion of this course will equip the student with many of the skills necessary to complete the Capstone Experience (presented at the end of the second semester of study for certificate candidates and at the end of the fourth semester of study for degree candidates).

 

Capstone Experience: Students seeking the A.A.A. Degree or Certificate in Commercial Music must satisfactorily complete all departmental requirements as a musical performer in a full-length televised public performance (music festival). These festivals occur twice a year (once at the completion of the fall and spring semesters).

 

Barrier Exam I: Students seeking the Certificate in Commercial Music must pass a test of minimum performance standards administered by a qualified panel of faculty members. This test is arranged by appointment with the department.

 

Barrier Exam II: Students seeking the A.A.A. Degree in Commercial Music must pass a test of minimum advanced performance standards, administered by a qualified panel of faculty members. This test is arranged by appointment with the department.

Standards for the Barrier Exams shall be determined and published by the faculty. In all cases, the standards under which a student matriculates will remain in force, unless the student chooses to accept the current standard instead.

 

II. Specific Course/Instructor Requirements:

A.

Textbook and Other Materials: Based on the competency level of the student, one of the following may be selected by the instructor. The Fiddler's Fakebook, by David Brody, © 1983, Oak Publications, Embassy Music Corporation, NY, NY, ISBN 0.8256.0238.6or You Can Teach Yourself Fiddle, by Craig Duncan, © 1990, Mel Bay Publications, Pacific MO, ISBN 1.56222.003.9. Other texts may be recommended by the instructor according to the student's individual needs. Handouts may also be provided by instructor.

B.

Attendance Policy:  Students receive a grade at each lesson based on completion of assigned program material. After an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher regarding, 1] an assignment for the following week, and 2] whether they qualify for a make-up grade/lesson.

 

Students arriving late to class will be counted as tardy. Three marks of “tardy” are equal to one absence. Students arriving to class ten or more minutes after the scheduled time may be counted as absent. After three unexcused absences, the student's grade will be lowered one letter grade for each subsequent absence. The instructor will determine the validity (with respect to this course) of each excuse. After 5 absences, the student may be dropped with the grade of “X.”

 

In cases where the instructor must be absent, the student is responsible for rescheduling that lesson at the mutual convenience of the instructor and student, and has one week to do so.

 

Students may be required to attend certain musical events at SPC as part of the private lesson course of study. Teachers may substitute "directed" study activities for these events for students who cannot attend on-campus events.

C.

Assignment Policy: The instructor will develop a program (an incremental and progressive course) of study based on an evaluation of the student’s level of ability. Weekly grades will be given based on the student’s completion of assigned program material.

 

Students enrolled in Commercial Music Ensembles are required to take private instrument/voice lessons (waiver subject to the discretion of the department head). This enables the student to gain advantage from the teacher's ensemble experience.

 

Students will keep a folder of all printed (and/or manuscript) materials received in ensemble class. Lesson activities related to the use of these materials may be part of the private lesson grade.

D.

Grading Policy/Procedure: The final grade will be constituted as follows:

·         1/3 An average of the weekly grades

·         1/3 A midterm exam (a playing demonstration of minimum basic competencies)

·        1/3 A Jury (see above sec. I:C) (a playing demonstration of minimum basic competencies)

The weighting & evaluation of these tests lies at the discretion of the instructor(s).

Absences may be excused by the instructor, but assignments will not be accepted late. Generally, letter grades are assigned as follows: A: 90 - 100, B: 80 - 89, C: 70 - 79, D: 60 - 69, F: Below 60.

E.

Special Requirements: There are no specific entry-level standards for this course. All fiddle players will be working toward specific Competencies outlined in the course of study designed by the teacher for their specific level of ability.

However, students working toward the A.A.A. Degree or Certificate in Commercial Music must pass the required departmental Barrier Exam(s) - see above. Students should seek advice from instructors as to their status with respect to these tests.

F.

Program Hours: The instructor will develop a program (an incremental and progressive course) of study based on an evaluation of the student’s level of ability. Students are required to spend a minimum of 3 hours in guided study. Weekly grades will be given based on the student’s completion of assigned program material. Also, see attendance policy sec. II, B.

G.

Midterms & Juries: Midterms and juries are tools used to evaluate the level of a student’s accomplishment during the semester. All students must have a midterm grade and jury grade for the course. Midterms are conducted during a student’s private lesson. Students who are non-majors take a private jury during their lesson at the end of semester.

If a student declares himself a fiddle “major,” he/she is then responsible for additional requirements. A fiddle major takes a final jury before the faculty. He is also responsible for the barrier exams.

 

 III. Course Outline:

Outline By Topic:

The depth of exploration into each area will be determined by the instructor, based on the student's individual level of ability, the student's expressed musical goals, and the specific requirements shown on the attached Fiddle Competency list. -

Technique: Left- and right-hand studies consisting of fingering and bowing exercises, proper hand positioning, and stylistic techniques.

Theory: Knowledge of theoretical concepts as they apply to the fiddle.

Notation: Reading standard musical notation, Nashville notation, and standard chord symbol notation; sight-reading.

Ear Training: Assistance in developing greater aural skills in recognizing melodic and harmonic pitches.

Improvisation: Development and application of skills.

Repertoire: Ability to perform prepared pieces in a nearly perfect manner commensurate with skill level.

OUTLINE BY WEEK

Week 1 - Assess the student's current competency and experience.

Week 2-6 - Follow course outline as indicated above Give special emphasis to areas of special interest and/or difficulty to student Prepare for upcoming exam or jury.

Week 7 - Perform exam or jury

Weeks 8-15- Follow similar curriculum to weeks 2-6

Week 16 - Perform exam or jury.

IV. Accommodations

South Plains College strives to accommodate the individual needs of all students in order to enhance their opportunities for success in the context of a comprehensive community college setting. It is the policy of South Plains College to offer all educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability or age (SPC Equal Opportunity Policy--General Catalog).

V. Disabilities

Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Special Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of his/her disability to the Special

Services Coordinator.  For more information, call or visit the Special Services Office in the Student Services building, 894-9611 ext. 2529.