Brass Class II

Spring Semester 2008
Brass Techniques II, Low Brass
9:00am MW, Singer Hall
Jim Pospisil, Daniel W. Eaton

Purpose: To give the student knowledge in brass playing and teaching
Objectives:
            1. Demonstrate proficiency in teaching brass.
            2. Demonstrated proficiency in playing brass instruments
            3. Demonstrate knowledge of pedagogy, history, and acoustics of brass instruments.
            4. Demonstrate knowledge of educational prices and resources of brass instruments.

Attendance Policy:
            0-1 absence     A
            2                     B
            3                     C
            4                     D
            5 or more         F
            Two tardies constitute one absence.  A tardy is an arrival after attendance has been taken and before 9:20.  Arrival after 9:20 is considered an absence.

Expectations:
            1. Practice 90 minutes per week
            2. Attend all class meetings
            3. Turn in all assignments on time
            4. Read assignments prior to class for discussion
            5. Bring all materials to class
            *Please let us know if you have any problems which is preventing you from performing satisfactorily in this class.

Exam and evaluations:
            1. Proficiency exams
                        a. All 12 major scales one octave, in quarter notes = 100.
                        b. Performance piece (assigned to class)
            2. Class participation
            3. Written exams
            4. Special project: Five page paper on brass topic, Topic due 2/2, rough draft due 3/3, final draft due 3/31.
            5. Lesson tests

Grading:
            10% Attendance and class participation
            10% Special Project
            10% Teaching exams (lesson tests)
            20% Performance exams
            25% Midterm exam
            25% Final exam (not cumulative)

Materials needed for class:
            Three ring binder for handouts
            Text: “Complete Guide to Brass” by Scott Whitener
            Beginning Band Method Book 1: “Standard of Excellence”, for Trombone and Tuba
            Staff paper for exercises given in class
            Supplies to keep your instrument in working order(slide grease, slide cream, valve oil)

Schedule: (Subject to change)
            Week   1 - Pass out syllabus, intro to maitenance
            Week   2 - Trombone history, acoustics, physiology
            Week   3 - pedagogy
            Week   4 - literature, solo, chamber, large ensemble, trombone texts
            Week   5 - equipment, maitenance
            Week   6 - players, recordings
            Week   7 - lesson tests
            Week   8 - play tests, midterm exam
            Week   9 - SPRING BREAK
            Week 10 - Tuba/Euphonium assign instruments, physiology, history, acoustics
            Week 11 - pedagogy, literature, texts
            Week 12 - equipment, maitenance
            Week 13 - players, recordings
            Week 14 - lesson tests, play tests
            Week 15 - final written exam