Ronnie Main

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
COURSE SYLLABUS FOR MUSC 140
BRASS METHODS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Instructor: Dr. Ronnie Ingle
Office: 130 Hughes Fine Arts Center
Phone: 777-2816
Office Hours: as posted and/or by appointment

 

TEXT AND SUPPLIMENTARY MATERIALS

Bachelder, Don. Guide to Teaching Brass. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002.
Yamaha Band Student, Books 1 and 2.
Three-ring binder for final portfolio.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. To become aware of the basic physical issues of brass performance, including embouchure development and breath control,
  2. To study the history of brass instruments through traditional means of research as well as internet resources.
  3. To discover the popular methods and graded literature of each instrument,
  4. To attain a firm understanding/foundation with regard to the overtone series as it relates to brass instruments,
  5. To learn the correct procedures of instrument care as well as minor repairs,

 

MAJOR COURSE CONTENT AREAS

  1. Embouchure
  2. Sound
  3. Technique
  4. Breath Control
  5. Tonguing
  6. Anatomy of Brass Instruments
  7. Overtone Series
  8. Care and Maintenance

 

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

  1. You are expected to read and understand the university catalog.
  2. You are expected to check with the music department for recent information on requirements and curriculum.
  3. You are expected to show satisfactory progress.
  4. You are expected to actively participate.
  5. You are expected to make use of the music and/or university library.
  6. You are expected to take notes and study.
  7. You are expected to work collaboratively with other students.
  8. You are expected to make-up assignments when you are absent from class, and to turn in assignments on time.
  9. You are expected to complete your work without cheating or committing plagiarism.
  10. You are expected to make appointments with your professor during assigned office hours.
  11. You are expected to exhibit proper behavior at all times.

 

ATTENDANCE

Students are required to attend all classes. However, students are afforded three (3) absences with the understanding that assignments missed (reading, homework, projects, etc.) must be made-up in a timely manner. Ten percent (10%) will be deducted from the assignment for each day it is late. A reduction of five (5) points for each absence above the three afforded will be assessed on the final grade. Missed exams are very difficult to reschedule in a class of this nature, and every effort should be made to be present for the initial exam. Make-up exams will be given to students with a pre-approved excuse or excused illness.

 

CONCERT ATTENDANCE

Students are required to attend three (3) live performances that prominently feature any instrument or combination of instruments of the brass family. This could include solo performances, brass quintets or other small chamber ensembles, or larger jazz or classical ensembles. Should there be any question as to the validity of the performance for credit, the student should consult with the instructor before attending the concert. It is not required for the concert to be an on-campus event, and students are encouraged to travel to other venues to attend concerts. As proof of attendance, the student must submit a program of the concert (if applicable), and a written critique within two weeks of attending the concert.

 

GRADING

15% = Written Exam 1
15% = Written Exam 2
15% = Playing Exam 1
15% = Playing Exam 2
20% = Homework
10% = Participation
10% = Concert Attendance
10% = Portfolio Project

 

DISIBILITY POLICY

If you have emergency medical information to share, need special arrangements in case of building evacuation, or require certain accommodations because of a disability, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible at the above office number. If you plan to request disability accommodations, you are expected to register with the Disability Support Services (DSS) in room 190 of McCannel Hall. Their phone number is 777-3425.

 

SCHOLASTIC HONESTY

Students are expected to maintain scholastic honesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating on a test includes but is not limited to: 1) Copying from another student’s test, 2) Possessing or using material during a test not authorized by the person giving the test, 3) Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without authority, 4) Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or in part the contents of an unadministered test, 5) Substituting for another student or permitting another student to substitute for oneself to take a test, 6) Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test. Plagiarism means the appropriation, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another person’s work and the acknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own work. This includes appropriation of another person’s work by the use of computers or any other electronic means. Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit. For detailed policy statements and procedures dealing with scholastic honesty, please see the University handbook.