Non-Major String Studies Syllabus-Fall 2016 MPST Individual Instruction: MPST 300, MPST 301, MPST 501 for 1 or 2 credits Contact Information: Secondary Instructor Assistant: Grace Lee, keyboard@usc.edu Program Coordinator, Dr. Bahn: Office hours and meetings are welcomed anytime by appointment to talk about any problems or issues you are having with the program. Email: lbahn@usc.edu Cell: 202-236-9391 (texting is permissible) I. Purpose of Class: To explore and expand the technical aspects, as well as the musical development associated with string instrument playing (violin, viola, cello or bass) and music making. This study will encompass string instrument technique and literature, personal artistic reflection, and growth in musical maturity. The level and speed of study will be determined by the ability and experience of each individual student. II. Course Expectations: Equipment requirements: You must own or rent an instrument for the course and have it in hand before the first week of classes. Rental information is below: o USC Operations office has a very limited supply of instruments (no basses). Their rental fees are a little cheaper than the shops below. Visit the office, and also contact Jennifer Barczykowski to rent a violin, viola, or cello. musops@thornton.usc.edu, BOOTH 101 o http://cauer.com/forms-pollicies/rental-policy o http://weisshaarviolins.com/rentals-2/ Playing requirements: o Each student is expected to be prepared for every lesson by practicing and rehearsing throughout the week. Daily use of warm-up exercises, scales, and etudes is expected. Assigned music is to be learned and memorized as instructed. A minimum of 2.5 hours per week of practice is required for those taking this as an elective. A minimum of 5 hours per week of practice is required for those in the Minor program. o Performance Class (once during the semester) o Juries Semester Curriculum: Lessons: Studio lessons are taught in the Gateway Practice Facility. Your Instructor
will let you know exactly in which room to meet. o For 2 credit hours:15 hours of total instruction plus required attendance to Masterclass and Performance Classes (those studying with Thornton Faculty are exempt) o For 1 credit hour: 7.5 hours of total instruction plus required attendance to Masterclass and Performance Classes (those studying with Thornton Faculty are exempt) Practicing is a crucial part of the success and enjoyment of this course for you. It is impossible to progress at any level without a daily dedication to practice. The minimum time requirements for each degree are: o MPST 300: 15 minutes daily, 6 days a week, total of 90 minutes weekly o MPST 301: 30 minutes daily, 6 days a week, total of 3 hours weekly o MPST 501: 30 minutes daily, 6 days a week, total of 3 hours weekly Performance Class is an event held either in the middle of the semester or closer to the Juries at the end of the semester. This is a performance opportunity in Ramo Hall. Mandatory jury at end of semester (exceptions may be worked out with the Coordinator). This is a mini performance of pre-approved selections before a panel of instructors, as well as the Coordinator of Non-Major Studies o Prepare repertoire with your Instructor, which includes a scale of your choice as well as the repertoire you have worked on during the semester. o your jury slot will last 10 minutes o Make plans to rehearse and perform with a pianist, if your selection calls for one. Accompanists: A staff accompanist will be available for juries: please contact Kyle in the front office: Shafiee@thornton.usc.edu o Appropriate dress code for the jury is business casual: no sneaker or sandals, no T-shirts/jeans, no skirts above the knee) o You will receive a grade based on the average of the committee, and you will receive this directly after you play. o sign up sheets will go up one week before the juries on RAMO308B. On this sheet, I will ask you to leave a contact number or email so that if others may contact you in the case they would like to ask you to swap times. o Kyle Shafiee in the RAMO office will be able to assist you with a pianist, if you would like to have one. o bring a written list of your repertoire to give to the committee (rep, name, degree, etc), or be prepared to announce your selections verbally. o Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your jury time, and wait in the little 'lobby' of Ramo Hall. I will sign out the classroom upstairs, BMH100 in which you may warm up. o when you are finished playing, please wait again in the lobby for your averaged jury grade, and for your comments from the committee. when you sign up for your jury time, please also sign up at the same time on a separate sheet on my door for a 5 minute end of the semester meeting with me. I will be asking you about your experience this semester, as well as your intentions for enrolling next semester. Adherence to the Departmental policies as published in the Departmental Handbook and Performance Guidelines is required Requests to be excused from events that require mandatory attendance will not be accepted unless they are in writing in advance (via email, no texting).
Repertoire: imslp.com is a free online site for public domain repertoire These books are on order at Dohenyi Library in the Music wing, and will be put on reserve for you to copy and use: o All books for violin, viola, cello of the Suzuki method. (or at least the first 4-5 books). o Duets for Violins: Second Violin Parts to Selections from Suzuki Violin School Volumes 1, 2 and 3., Volumes 1-3 o All for Strings, but Frost and Anderson (Method books 1 and 2), again for violin, viola and cello o Barber, Barbara - Scales For Young Violinists - Alfred Practice Practice Rooms are available in the Gateway Building on campus. You may gain card access to the Gateway practice facility after you have gone to the Music Operations Office in Booth Hall 101 and received the proper clearance. You will be expected to practice consistently. Productive practicing is the key to achieving vocal success. You will always play your instrument more often alone than you will in front of the instructor. Therefore, you must become your own best teacher. Like an athlete in training, it is important to practice regularly to build correct muscle patterns. Be smart about practicing. Do not try to cram a week s worth of work into one practice session. You will advance exponentially if you practice consistently for fewer minutes. Plan practice sessions and write them into your schedule. Lessons- weekly preparation This is a musical performance class. You will be expected to learn your music in a timely manner and to demonstrate progress in technical development and performance skills. Lack of preparation will be evident in your own presentations, and grades will reflect this. Your progress will be assessed on an individual basis. Students are expected to arrive on time for each lesson. Students should have all necessary materials with them for each lesson, including music, instrument, pencil, recording device/phone Please put your phone on airplane mode to silence texts/calls Record your lesson Email or physically hand your Instructor your weekly written assignment which consists of two parts: o Transcription of previous lesson: Students should have practiced regularly and completed any assignments given at the previous lesson Attendance Policies: Communication with instructor: Responsible for clear and prompt communication with teacher Extended absences: If the student instructor plans to be out of town for more than 2 consecutive weeks or miss more than 2 consecutive lessons with any student due to professional or personal reasons, the student instructor must notify the Coordinator as well as make a commitment to make up all lessons missed to the students in his/her
studio. If a student plans to miss two or more consecutive lessons, the student must discuss and commit to make up all missed lessons with the Instructor and Coordinator. Missing lessons / make up policy: One unexcused absence or 3 tardies will lower grade by a half letter (A to A-) Students must notify instructor at least 24 hours to the scheduled lesson time. Make-up lessons are required if canceled by the instructor. Not all lessons canceled by the students can be made up or excused. Illness: Please cancel lessons if you are ill with a contagious virus/ailment. Make-up lessons are required in these cases. III. Repertoire: The literature will be chosen by the instructor based on the technical and musical level of the student, as well as keeping with the jury and performance requirements of the Strings Department. IV. Grading: Preparation for lessons and jury: 50% Performance at Performance Class: 25% Performance at Juries: 25% V: Policies: Statement for Students with Disabilities: Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to the instructor (or to TA) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776. Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems Academic Conduct Plagiarism presenting someone else s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11, Behavior Violating University Standardshttps://scampus.usc.edu/1100-behaviorviolating-university-standards-and-appropriate-sanctions/. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct, http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct/. Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity http://equity.usc.edu/ or to the Department of Public Safety http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-public-safety/online-forms/contactus. This is important for the safety of the whole USC community. Another member of the university community such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center
for Women and Men http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/ provides 24/7 confidential support, and the sexual assault resource center webpage sarc@usc.edu describes reporting options and other resources. Support Systems A number of USC s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international graduate students. The Office of Disability Services and Programs http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.htmlprovides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information http://emergency.usc.edu/will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology. University Policy on Observing Religious Holidays When an examination falls at a time that conflicts with your observance of a legitimate religious holiday, instructors must accommodate a request for an alternate examination date. You must discuss a final examination conflict with the professor no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled examination date to arrange an acceptable alternate examination date. In doubtful cases, you or the instructor will want to confer with the dean of religious life by contacting (213) 740-6110. Statement on Academic Integrity USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty include the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one s own academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another s work as one s own. All students are expected to understand and abide by these principles. SCampus, the Student Guidebook, (www.usc.edu/scampus or http://scampus.usc.edu) contains the University Student Conduct Code (see University Governance, Section 11.00), while the recommended sanctions are located in Appendix A. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, (213) 740-0776.