Pipe Organ Technique I Victoria Alma Castello E-Mail: [email protected] Course Description: Pipe Organ Technique I is an introductory course in the musical and technical foundation of organ playing. Students will receive instruction in the mechanism of sound production at the organ, registration, performance practice, manual and pedal technique, and service playing. Students enrolled in this class are expected to have mastered repertoire that includes J. S. Bach’s Ana Magdelena Notebook. Course Standard: Students are expected to present a cumulative understanding of music theory, technical fluency, refined musicality, and positive self- expression through organ performance. Course Outline: The course follows the benchmarks outlined by the DCPS music curriculum. Students will learn technical fluency through intervallic patterns, scales, part- playing, harmonization and improvisation, and other exercise music for manuals and pedals. Students will be required to take eight 45-minute lessons once a week to develop their classical repertoire. Listening and reading assignments further explore the history and construction of the organ, in addition to its use in the liturgical and theatrical realms. At the end of the year, each student will present a thirty-minute organ lecture- performance on a topic to be decided by the teacher and student. A written essay will accompany the presentation. Other course requirements include satisfactory participation in monthly class performances and, when possible, solo performances in the local community. Materials: Method of Organ Playing, by Harold Gleason, First Organ Book, edited by Wayne Leupold, as well as elementary and early-intermediate level organ literature from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and Contemporary styles. Students must maintain an organ technique notebook (3-ringed binder) containing all handouts received. Students must bring the notebook and all assigned technique and organ literature books to each class. Each student is required to wear special shoes for playing the organ; the shoes are to be used for that purpose only. Organ shoes should be of light-weight leather with a heel about 1 inch high and a tie over the arch (i.e., tap dance shoes without the clicks). The soles should be smooth, no rubber heels or soles. Grading: First, Second, and Third, and Advisories: Organ literature and Notebook (10%) Weekly organ lessons (35%). Performance Assessment (20%) Written tests/quizzes (15%) Advisory Performance Exam (20%) Fourth Advisory: Organ literature and Notebook (10%) Weekly organ lessons (50%) Performance Assessment (25%) Written tests/quizzes (15%) Final Project: Lecture Performance with Written Essay (100%) All students are expected to treat each other and their teachers with respect and to follow the guidelines given in the Instrumental Music Department Handbook and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Community Handbook. Grading Scale The following grading scale will be used in evaluating and reporting each student's progress: A =93-100 A- =90-92 B+ =87-89 B =83-86 B- =80-82 C+ =77-79 C =73-76 C- =70-72 D+ =67-69 D =64-66 F =63 and below --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Detach along dotted line) I have received and read the Piano Technique course syllabus. I agree to meet all course requirements as listed. Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date Please return this signed document to the teacher. .