UW at Eau Claire: Music 202 Brass Techniques
Class Meeting Time and Location: Tue/Thu 12:00 - 12:50 PM, HFA 133
Instructor: Professor Phil Ostrander Telephone: (8)36-4156
Office: HFA 239, office hours tba Email: ostranpa@uwec.edu
Attendance:
Brass Techniques is focused primarily on in-class performance. This type of class requires regular attendance. If you have to miss a class, please email, phone, write, telegraph or contact me in person with a minimum of 24 hours advance notice. If you miss a class for any reason without prior notification, your grade will be lowered a half letter for each absence. Please consult your student handbooks for the definition of excused and unexcused absences. Expect to hear from me if you are absent from a class. If you are sick, please provide an excuse if possible. Be punctual as it will affect your grade. Two late arrivals will equal one unexcused absence.
Course Objective:
This course will provide basic fundamentals of brass performance and pedagogy. The course will include performance fundamentals on at least three brass instruments and materials and methods for brass instruction. Your prior experience on brass instruments is certainly valued, however, if your primary instrument is high brass, you will focus on low brass in class.
Course Materials:
Three ring binder with sections for general information and each instrument. Required text: Teaching Brass to Beginners by Kim and Jane Dunnick. Available at 1-800-hickeys or www.hickeys.com. Also, please check out the rental text A Complete Guide to Brass by Scott Whitener. I will be emailing you assignments periodically, please check your accounts between classes.
Course Outline:
I will design a grid that outlines the three brass instruments you will focus on in class. We will perform as an ensemble every class, so bring your assigned instrument. The focus of the class will be on performance, but we will cover pedagogy. You will be expected to teach the class at least once. If you have a documented need for accomodation, please notify me in the first two weeks of class. Reading assigned is generally discussed the next class meeting.
Final Exams:
There will be both a performance final during the last week of classes. The written final will follow the final exam schedule. Bring your organized binder to the written final.
Teaching Demonstrations:
Please prepare a lesson plan to turn in the class before you intend to teach! It doesn’t need to be a dissertation, but does need to be clear (include goal, process, outcome)
Grading:
In class performance: 35%
Teaching demonstrations: 15%
Three performance quizzes: 20%
Three written quizzes: 5%
Performance Final: 11%
Written Final: 9%
Notebook: 5%
Additional materials:
Bailey, Wayne, etc. Teaching Brass: A Resource Manual. New York, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1992.
Farkas, Philip. The Art of Brass Playing. Rochester, Wind Music, Inc., 1989.
Fox, Fred. Essentials of Brass Playing. Miami, Volkwein Bros., Inc., 1974.
Johnson, Keith. Brass Performance and Pedagogy. New Jersey, Prentice Hall, 2002.
Whitener, Scott. Complete Guide To Brass: Instruments and Techniques. New York, Schirmer Books, 1997.
Topics:
Posture, Breathing, Embouchure, Posture, Overtone Series, Transposing, Composing/Arranging, Compensating Devices, Ranges, History, Successful Private and Group Teaching -> Brass Teaching, Improvisation, Repertoire - solos, individual instrument ensembles, Recruiting, Brass Quintet (chamber music), Braces, Repair, Clefs, Multiple Tonguing
Calendar:
September 2 – Introduction
September 7
September 9
September 14 - Lab #1
September 16 - Lab #2, Transposition, Overtone, Chromatic Fingerings Quiz
September 21 - Lab #3
September 23 – Lab #4
September 28 – Lab #5
September 30 – Lecture: Tuba/Euphonium Class
October 5 - Lab#6
October 7 - Performance Quiz
-------------------SWITCH
October 12
October 14
October 19 - Lab #7
October 21 - Lecture: Horn
October 26 – Lab #8
October 28 – Composition/Arrangement Assignments Due
November 2 – In Class C/A Performance
November 4 – In Class C/A Performance
November 9 – Performance Quiz
November 11 – Lecture: Trumpet
-----------------SWITCH
November 16
November 18 - Lecture: Trombone
November 23 – Lab #9
THANKSGIVING!!!!
November 30 – Final review
December 2 – No class...
December 7 – Performance Final
December 9 – Written Final
Goals: Brass Techniques is designed to fulfill some of the 11 goals of the University. This course will help you develop an
3. ability to inquire, think, and analyze.
6. historical consciousness.
9. appreciation of the arts.