MUSIC 102, 310, 480, 520    

Spring 2005

Performance Study: Piano

STUDIO POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

                     Michael Sitton/Presser 108

                       x6262  (h. 362-2855)

                         msitton@hollins.edu

                                                                                                                   homepage: http://www1.hollins.edu/homepages/sittonm/homepage.htm

 

ESP CREDIT

 

You may earn credit toward the Creative Expression Perspective in the undergraduate general education program by taking two consecutive semesters of MUS 102-piano.  If you have taken Beginning Class Piano, you may earn this credit by taking one additional term in MUS 102-piano immediately after taking Beginning Class Piano.  MUS 102 counts as one credit per term (completion of the Creative Expression Perspective requires four credits). 

 

GOALS

 

 

Students who have studied piano previously (at Hollins or elsewhere) will build upon past work, developing technical equipment that offers freedom in a broad expressive range and continually refining interpretative impulses to bring strength and aesthetic integrity to the musical experience.  Students who are new to the piano will begin to develop these same skills and sensitivities as they also acquire the fundamental vocabulary of notation and movement essential to performance on the instrument.

 

 

ATTENDANCE

 

 

 

Unfortunately it is not possible to reschedule lessons, though students are permitted to swap lesson times with each other through independent arrangement, providing Prof. Sitton is notified in advance. If unavoidable conflicts are foreseen, students are requested out of courtesy to notify Prof. Sitton as far in advance as possible. Absences from scheduled lessons lower the semester grade (see “evaluation”).

 

Any absence necessary on the part of the teacher due to illness or professional duties

will be made up.

 

 

 

PRACTICE

 

Practice minimum is one hour daily if enrolled for one credit (MUS 102), two hours daily if enrolled for two credits (MUS 310, 480).  Practice logs will be collected at each week’s lesson, where the acceptable minimum is understood to be five hours practice per week for MUS 102 and ten hours for MUS 310 or MUS 480.  MALS students (MUS 520) are not required to submit practice logs, but are expected to demonstrate preparation appropriate to the graduate level.

 

 

EVALUATION

 

Each lesson is graded on the basis of preparation, attentiveness, and cooperation. Absences are entered as zero grades.  The final semester grade is a weighted average of (1) the average of lesson grades (75%) and (2) the percentage of practice logs showing acceptable minimum practice time (25%).

 

MALS students, music majors and students enrolled in MUS 310 or 480 are required to play an audition before the music faculty at the end of the term, and other students may be asked to play an audition.  Grades are given for this audition by the faculty, but the student's final term grade is determined solely by Prof. Sitton.

 

REQUIRED

MATERIALS

 

 

 

a. Music:

 

Students are expected to purchase musical scores as assigned.  Borrowed or copied scores should be replaced by the student's own copy in no more than three weeks, unless availability is a problem. Photocopies may not be used for study except on a very temporary basis. (Some possible retail sources: Brodt Music Company, Charlotte, NC (800-438-4129, friendly and fast personal service); J.W. Pepper (www.jwpepper.com – easy online ordering with quick delivery).

 

b. Notebook:

Bring a notebook to weekly lessons for assignments, comments on repertoire, and other instructions.

 

 

 

c. Metronome:

These are available in the Hollins Bookshop, or may be ordered through sources such as Teachers' Discount Music (540-740-8633, http://home.rica.net/tdm/).  (Suggested models: Seiko DM-11 or DM-20.)

 

CLASSES AND

PERFORMANCES

 

Attendance is expected at weekly performance classes (Fridays, 2 PM, Talmadge,

beginning February 18.  There are some exceptions/changes which will be announced as needed).

 

Some students will be invited to play on student recitals open to the Hollins community given periodically by the Music Department. Spring 2005 student recitals are Thurs., March 17, 4:30 PM and Mon., May 2, 4:00 PM.

 

Attendance is expected at Music Department concert series events.

 

New Page 1

...