Applied Euphonium and Tuba

 
Rationale for Applied Tuba and Applied Euphonium at Florida State University

Assignments - Assignments are made to lead the student through a logical, systematic, cohesive and concise program of study uniting the various component of music. There is often a wide dispersion of abilities among entering freshmen, Varied backgrounds, playing levels and performance experiences of students entering Florida State University necessitates a flexible and individual course of study. Consequently, assignments are made by the instructor based on this diversity. The primary sources for assignments are: method books, solos, scales, arpeggios, orchestral excerpts and band excerpts. Also, attendance and participation in studio master classes and area seminars is required of the student.

Method books - Method books address different concepts of performance through exercises of various levels of difficulty (ie. sound, performances styles, rhythms etc.). The purpose of the exercises found in method books is to present material to the student for practice and study. The exercises most often focus on only one or two basic components of music. Two to four exercises are assigned to the student by the instructor for study during the student's lesson.

Solos - A solo is much more substantial and comprehensive than an exercise found in a method book, they are generally of greater length and often incorporate several musical concepts in a unified whole. For this reason, one solo is prepared by the student per month. Biweekly, the instructor coaches and evaluates the student's understanding and preparation of the solo. The instructor assigns a solo to the student on a level of difficulty appropriate for that student.

Scale and Arpeggios - Scales and arpeggios are assigned and heard weekly by the instructor for technical development, finger coordination, ear training, development of fine motor skills, and sight reading. Each week, the instructor assigns one major scale and arpeggio, one harmonic minor scale and arpeggio, and one melodic minor scale and arpeggio. Freshman are allowed to play scales and arpeggios slowly. Sophomores must play scales and arpeggios from memory and at the required sophomore jury tempo.

Orchestral and Band Excerpts - The study of orchestral and band excerpts is mandatory for performance majors. For all other majors, orchestral and band excerpts are elective. The study of excerpts is to prepare a student for performance in, and auditions for, a professional band or orchestra. Preparing for an audition or performance in a band or orchestra requires the student to master and demonstrate special and unique skills. Excerpts are perhaps the most rigorous and disciplined playing required of a musician. Upon receiving an excerpt from the instructor for lesson preparation, the student is required to listen with great attention to detail to the excerpt performed by at least three recordings by major orchestras or bands. Students are coached by the instructor on listening critically to a performance for such details as: exact rhythms, style, exact note lengths, exact dynamic levels, beginnings and releases of notes and the way in which each note is sustained.

Examinations - A jury before the entire brass faculty is required of the student upon completion of two semesters of study at each level. Freshman and junior juries consist of the student playing an accompanied solo with piano and are ten minutes in length. The sophomore jury is a comprehensive examination where the students plays an accompanied solo with piano, two contrasting etudes, memorized major, harmonic and melodic scales and arpeggios, and sight reading. The sophomore jury is twenty- minutes in length. At every jury examination, the brass faculty assesses the student's performance and assigns a letter grade for the performance. In addition, the faculty evaluate the student's progress in the current applied level. The student must advance to the next applied level, as determined by a majority vote of the brass faculty, prior to enrollment in the next highest level of applied music. If a student cannot obtain promotion after three semesters of study in one applied level, the student is not allowed to continue in applied music. A student's final grade, as assigned by the instructor, may deviate one full letter grade from the composite jury score.

Grading - The instructor assigns a grade weekly based on mastery of the assigned material. The composite grade for the semester will become the student's final grade.

Area Seminar - Area Seminar is a required biweekly meeting of all undergraduate wind and brass students. Seminar is a one hour recital given by several undergraduate students desiring performance experience in an informal setting. Typically, everyone in attendance provides a written critique of each five-minute performance. Area Seminar participation and attendance are reflected in the student's final applied music grade.
 

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at pebbers@mailer.fsu.edu