Dr . Michael Gould • Studio Handbook P rofessor Michael Gould 1419 M oore, S OMTD 734‑615‑0215 [email protected] GOULD SECTION NUMBER=279 DOBBINS SECTION NUMBER=090 This h andbook i s designed t o answer s ome o f the questions o ne m ight have regarding lessons, g rading and general policies f or percussion l essons. Also i ncluded in this h andbook are a h ost o f resources to help you f ind great listening a nd videos f ound in the SMTD Library. Page 1 SOM Student Handbook/ Lesson Expectations/Grading Policy SOM Student Handbook All students should familiarize him or herself with the School of Music Student Handbook. The handbook you receive your first semester in school is the curriculum and guidelines you will follow throughout your program at the University. Graduate students should also look at the Handbook for Rackham Students. These books detail all of the curricula and policies set forth by the School of Music, Theater & Dance. Make sure you understand these extremely well—if you have any questions at all regarding any of the contents of either handbook, I am always available for advising as are people in the admissions office. Lesson Expectations Here are some general guidelines for everyone taking lessons with Professor Gould in regards to organization, weekly expectations and grading structure: • Lessons will be set­up within the first week of class. It is YOUR responsibility to make an appointment with Professor Gould to set­up a lesson time (contact him in person (office 1419), e­mail ([email protected]) or phone (615­0215). Please make sure that the lesson time you arrange does not conflict with any of your other commitments, as changes in the schedule after the first week can be very difficult to rearrange. You must also have 4:30­5:30 available every Thursday for studio class. These are mandatory to attend unless you contact Professor Gould well in advance of meeting. It is also your responsibility to sign­up for the correct course and section number for lessons. Failure to do so will result in a whole plethora of problems for you—you must double­check this before the add/drop date. If you have a question whether or not you are enrolled ask me during your lesson time. • Each lesson will be recorded on a “lesson sheet”. The lesson sheet is written documentation of what was reviewed during each lesson and identifies the new material that should be worked on for the following week. You are expected to be diligently working on all of the materials assigned to you for the following week. I realize that not everything we work on will be mastered in short order but sustained effort is what I am looking for in your practicing. All of the lesson sheets and supplemental materials given to you during lessons should be kept in a folder or binder. I will also have a duplicate copy in my file to review before each lesson, keep track of your grades and track your progress throughout the semester. • During the first lesson, Dr. Gould will discuss with you a semester plan for covering repertoire, techniques, reading, styles and any goals one might desire to accomplish during the semester. There will also be a review of what was accomplished prior to lessons (if you studied with Dr. Gould or Prof. Dobbins prior to the current semester) as well as long­term goals. All of these will be written on the Lesson Sheet and factored into the final grade for the semester. Obviously, there are circumstances where one might not be able to achieve everything on the Page 2 goals sheet—perhaps because of getting stuck on something highly technical or something highly personal—as long as one is working hard, it is a very fair system. • Each student should be sufficiently warmed up before each lesson. Try to organize your schedule so that you are not running from another class or worse­­from across campus. • If you are playing something that requires a special set­up (other than drumset or hand drums), this should be done before the lesson begins so that little time is wasted during the lesson. I am always willing to come to you—setting up something in a practice room is perfectly fine. Feel free to invite other students to your lesson if you are playing something together and need to work on it­­ie., bass player, pianist, etc. • Please bring all of your implements to your lesson regardless of what is being worked on. We might need a different implement given a new musical situation, technique, etc.,so bring your stick bag. • All students are required to purchase method books, music or other materials being worked on for lessons or recitals. Please refer to the list of books supplied in this handbook or your lesson sheet for items you may need to acquire. Please ask if you are having trouble finding a certain item. Everything listed in this handbook can be ordered from Steve Weiss Music or Columbus Pro Percussion: Steve Weiss Music 2324 Wyandotte Rd. Willow Grove, PA 19090 (215) 659­0100 Columbus Pro Percussion 5052 N High St Columbus, OH 43214 (614) 885­7372 www.columbuspercussion.com • Regular lesson attendance is required. Unexcused absences are not allowed. Each unexcused absence will result in one lowered final letter grade. In the case that you may need to miss a lesson, please let Dr. Gould know ahead of your scheduled lesson time. For excused absences, lessons will be made up with Dr. Gould at a mutually agreed upon time. In the case that Dr. Gould should be away for performances, clinics, conventions, etc., a make­up lesson sign­up sheet will be placed on the door to his office (or you will be contacted via e­mail). If you cannot find a suitable time, please contact Dr. Gould. Lessons start promptly at 30 minutes past the hour—if you are late…you will not have a lesson unless you have a very good excuse. This will also result in a lower grade at the end of the semester—no exceptions. If you are late—you will NOT receive an “A” for the semester’s grade. Each time you are late will result in a 1/3 Page 3 letter grade lower for your final grade. You need to plan to be in the building, warmed­up and ready to go at your lesson time. Grading Policy Regardless of degree program, each student should carefully prepare all of the materials assigned for each lesson. There should be progressive improvement throughout the semester in both technical and musical abilities. The grade will also account for how much of the semester goals were accomplished as discussed above in lesson expectations. You must also bring “something to the table”. This means have some questions ready on the material you have worked on for the past week (or weeks) bring in recordings you have listened to or are performing on (the Dobbins “fight tape”) that you may have questions about, big band or combo music, etc.—my hope is that this level of inquiry will spur more ideas, practice material or new pathways of study. If you are expected to perform a jury at the end of a semester, this will account for part of your final grade (you must pass the jury in order to move on to the next lesson number). Professor Gould also expects all of his students to attend all big band concerts and combo concerts, percussion related recitals, masterclasses, clinics and other percussion events held throughout the semester. Failure to do so without an authorized excuse will result in a 1/3 lower grade (A to an A­). YOU MUST SUPPORT YOUR PEERS. Grade Breakdown: A = Excellent. The student shows exceptional and solid preparation, practiced with extreme consistency between lessons, was professional in manner, and made superior progress in technique and musical understanding of all assigned material. B = Average. Preparation shows some inconsistency in practicing, mild improvement in technical goals, and adequate enough progress that new materials may be assigned. However, given reasonable expectations, the student is clearly not working to his/her highest potential. C = Fair. This grade represents poor preparation, lack of consistent practice between lessons and little improvement technically or musically. No new material will be assigned. D = Poor. This grade is given for a lesson that is clearly not prepared and shows little or no consistent practice. No new material will be assigned. E = Given only in the rarest of circumstances. Such a grade indicates that the student has made no effort whatsoever. (These grade descriptions I thought were very good and were taken from Clemson University Percussion Policies—Dr. Paul Beyer) Page 4 Tips for Being a Responsible Percussionist (From Furman University and found throughout the percussion world) • Assist your colleagues in striking the stage following a percussion recital ­­ even it you didn’t play. This is common courtesy and will be greatly appreciated when you are the performer. • Arrive far enough in advance of a rehearsal to guarantee that all equipment is set up and you are properly warmed up before the rehearsal begins. This may mean from ten minutes to an hour before a rehearsal depending on the complexity of the set­up. • Following a rehearsal, remain long enough to return all equipment to its proper location. Leaving before this task is complete is selfish and inconsiderate to those who remain. Even if you did not play an instrument, help everyone until the task is complete.