Lesson Time to Be Arranged with Instructor

COURSE SYLLABUS APPLIED VIOLA Lesson Time to be Arranged with Instructor

Instructor: Catherine Forbes, FA 254, [email protected] Office: 817-272-1103 Cell: 817-313-1369 Office Hours: Daily - by appointment

Course Prerequisites:  As specified in catalogue

Required Textbooks and Materials:  Electronic metronome  Individual course assignments (solos and etude books) will be addressed at first private lesson. It is the responsibility of the student to order assigned music at that time. Additional work requiring music purchases may be assigned as the semester progresses. It is the responsibility of the student to order assigned music promptly for each new assignment.  CD recordings as assigned. Purchase of one or more CD’s may be required each semester.  There may be times when recording technology may be used to aid in both practice and listening techniques. The private studio instructor will cover techniques and requirements for use of technological recording.

Course Description:  Applied Lessons are offered to the student in the form of private weekly instruction. Each lesson is either one half-hour or one hour in length, depending on the course number. The student’s specific time is to be arranged with the instructor the first week of classes.

Course Learning Goals/ Objectives:  Applied lessons are designed to meet the individual needs of the student. Repertoire and technical exercises are assigned to stimulate and challenge specific areas of growth. It is the job of the instructor to balance and guide this growth in ways that will be of most use to the student upon graduation and while simultaneously meeting the String Area requirements.

Attendance Policy:  Students are required to attend every lesson.  The only absences that are considered excused are in case of crisis in the immediate family or serious or communicable personal illness.  If an excused absence must occur, prompt communication with the instructor by calling the teacher’s studio and cellular phones is required.  The instructor shall determine the validity of the reason for the student’s absence.  Excused lessons may be made up subject to instructor availability.  All other absences are considered unexcused and will not be made up.  Two unexcused absences in any semester may result in a failing course grade.  Two or more excused absences may result in a fail or recommended drop of the course.  If a student is more than 10 minutes late to a lesson, the lesson may be canceled. The lesson will not be made up.

Specific Course Requirements:  Evidence of consistent progress by the student is expected. It is required that the student come to each lesson having completed the minimum level of preparation required. Non-performance music majors: 2 hours of practice per day Performance majors: 4 hours of practice per day Graduate Performance majors: 4 hours of practice per day Non-majors: 1 hour practice per day  In general, this is the minimum time commitment required to achieve the results expected on an applied instrument. This practice must occur on a daily basis. It is not possible to skip practice days and then make up practice at a later time. Improvement on a musical instrument is cumulative – practice must occur daily. o Scales: to be practiced every day. They are the foundation of our technique and our repertoire and are an integral part of a daily practice routine. o Etudes and Technical Exercises: will be assigned on a weekly basis. They are very goal specific and should be practiced in this manner. If a student does not have a clear understanding of the manner in which a particular etude or exercise should be practiced, then they should immediately consult with a fellow student or make an appointment to review the question with instructor.  The student must be warmed up for the lesson. If the student has evidently not warm up for 30 minutes prior to the lesson, the final grade may be affected.  Students are required to come to lessons with the instrument and bow in good working order and all materials organized for productive study.  Students are responsible for providing an accompanist when deemed necessary by the instructor.  The student is required to attend weekly Studio Class Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:30 pm in FA 309.

Additional Requirements: Students may have the opportunity to play practice performances in local venues in preparation for final juries. Students will not be required to participate, nor will they be penalized for non-participation.

Descriptions of major assignments and examinations with due dates: Weekly Studio Class: Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:30 pm in FA 309 Weekly assigned repertoire, scales and etudes Mid-term: Applied lessons October 18 - 22 Fourth Semester mid-term: October 22 Final Jury: December 15

Student Learning Outcomes Individual Learning Outcomes will be determined at the beginning of each semester by instructor and the student will be provided a copy as an attachment to the syllabus.

Solo Performance Requirements:  Beyond the first semester of freshman level study, students must perform solo repertoire as assigned by the instructor.  Advanced students may be required by the instructor to present a partial or full recital.  Departmental Required Student Recitals include: o Performance Majors: Junior Recital (Full Recital) Senior Recital (Full Recital) o 7th Semester Teacher Certification Majors (Half Recital)  Required recital performances must be approved by a faculty committee – see attached information concerning Pre-recitals  Required pre-recital performances will be heard in lieu of a semester jury if the recital is successfully presented within that same semester.

Performance Attendance:  Students are required to attend: o string faculty recitals o guest string artist recitals o string student recitals that are required by student’s degree plan  Students are strongly encouraged to attend: o Faculty recitals in all disciplines

Course Evaluation and Grading Policy: Final grade is based on performance in three main areas:  Lesson preparation: o The student should come to each lesson prepared to perform all assigned materials including scales, exercises, etudes, solo materials, and excerpts. o Evidence of consistent progress is required. o Each lesson will begin with performance of the weekly assigned scales and arpeggios. o Responsiveness and focus are required in each lesson. The student is expected to follow directions quickly and to be receptive to instruction. o The student will bring a positive attitude to the studio lesson. o If a student is more than 10 minutes late to a lesson, the lesson will be canceled. The lesson will not be made up. o No gum, no drinks, no food allowed in studio during lesson o Cell phones must be turned off. Student may not answer cell phone calls or look at cell phones during lessons. o Remove watch, all jewelry, rings, bracelets, necklaces, dangling earrings  Scale and Technique Mid-Term Exam o Specific technical materials will be assigned by the instructor at the beginning of the semester. The student is required to perform the assigned technical materials at a level considered competent by the instructor. o Prescribed metronome markings must be observed. o The student will perform scales and arpeggios by memory.  Fourth Semester Mid-Term Exam o This mid-term will be presented in front of the string faculty for comments  Final Jury Exam o The student enrolled in major or concentration applied study is required to perform for a faculty jury at the end of each semester. The individualized assigned Student Learning Outcomes will be the basis of the student’s final jury exam. o The student will be evaluated according to the following criteria . Technical Competence (Left Hand): the jury will evaluate all aspects of left hand technique including fingering, articulation, intonation, hand and arm position, shifting and vibrato. . Technical Competence (Right Hand): the jury will evaluate all aspects of bow technique including tone, bow strokes, phrasing, articulation, bow hold and arm position. . Stylistic Interpretation: the jury will evaluate the extent to which the solo performance reflects an awareness of the demands of the practice performance of the era in which the music was created, and sensitivity to genre. . Expressive Interpretation: the jury will assess the student’s performance of the selected repertoire in regards to their ability to communicate the musical sense of the piece through performance.

Grading distribution is as follows: Lesson Preparation 60% Mid Term Exam 20% Jury Exam 20%

Note: For those on scholarship, failure to meet these minimum requirements could result in loss of scholarship.

Drop Policy: Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Undeclared students must see an advisor in the University Advising Center. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Americans with Disabilities Act: The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All instructors at UT Arlington are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Any student requiring an accommodation for this course must provide the instructor with official documentation in the form of a letter certified by the staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities, University Hall 102. Only those students who have officially documented a need for an accommodation will have their request honored. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at www.uta.edu/disability or by calling the Office for Students with Disabilities at (817) 272- 3364. Academic Integrity: It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. According to the UT System Regents’ Rule 50101, §2.2, "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts."

Student Support Services Available: The University of Texas at Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. These resources include tutoring, major-based learning centers, developmental education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals to resources for any reason, students may contact the Maverick Resource Hotline at 817-272-6107 or visit www.uta.edu/resources for more information.

Electronic Communication Policy: The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University “MavMail” address as the sole official means of communication with students. MavMail is used to remind students of important deadlines, advertise events and activities, and permit the University to conduct official transactions exclusively by electronic means. For example, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation are now sent to students through the MavMail system. All students are assigned a MavMail account. Students are responsible for checking their MavMail regularly. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at http://www.uta.edu/oit/email/. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active even after they graduate from UT Arlington.

Final Review Week: A period of five class days prior to the first day of final examinations in the long sessions shall be designated as Final Review Week. The purpose of this week is to allow students sufficient time to prepare for final examinations. During this week, there shall be no scheduled activities such as required field trips or performances; and no instructor shall assign any themes, research problems or exercises of similar scope that have a completion date during or following this week unless specified in the class syllabus. During Final Review Week, an instructor shall not give any examinations constituting 10% or more of the final grade, except makeup tests and laboratory examinations. In addition, no instructor shall give any portion of the final examination during Final Review Week. Classes are held as scheduled during this week and lectures and presentations may be given.

Addenda: Fourth Semester Jury Requirements Individual Learning Outcomes Studio Technology Guidelines

Rev. 8/22/2010