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Trumpet Studio Syllabus

Dr. James Zingara

TroyUniversity

Office Phone 670-3323; e-mail: jzingara@troy.edu

Syllabus developed August 1998; Revised January 2007

http://spectrum.troy.edu/~jzingara/

Course Purpose

This course is intended for music majors and minors at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Its purpose is to develop the student's technical capabilities, knowledge of literature, pedagogical skills and overall musicianship in order to achieve the goal of professional competence and to provide a means of self-actualization for the potential performer, educator and life-long musician.

Evaluation

The student will be evaluated at the beginning of each term in order to determine the relative strength of basic skills involved in trumpet performance. A plan of study will then be determined by the instructor, and the assignment of exercises, solos, etudes and other literature will be selected with emphasis strongly placed on those basic skills that need the most attention. The student will be re-evaluated at the end of the term in order to determine progress and growth.

Lessons

1. The student is expected to practice every day as this is the assigned homework for the student's major instrument. 2 

hours are required for trumpet majors; 1/2 hour is required for non-majors. These are minimum requirements.

2. If the student is not prepared for a lesson, he will be asked to leave with a failing grade for that week.

3. Lessons can be made if the instructor is notified in advance. Illness and a university excuse are the only valid excuses.

4. All students enrolled will play a jury as a final exam.

Grades

  • 50% of the student's grade will be based on lesson attendance, performance and progress. Scale tests will be given at the end of each term.
    • If the student displays lack of preparation during the lesson time, he/she will be asked to leave with a failing grade for that lesson. 
    • If the student is late to a lesson without a reasonable excuse, he/she may be asked to leave with a failing grade for that lesson. 
    • A failed lesson grade = 10% penalty.
  • 35% of the student's grade will be based on jury performance.
  • 10%of the student’s grade will be based on mid term scale tests and final Musical Terms Test (Fall)/ Music History Test (Spring)
  • 5% of the grade will be based on recital/masterclass attendance.
  • The student needs to attend at least FOUR sessions of the Warm-up/Fundamentals class in order to receive the Grade of “A”

Warm-up/Fundamentals Class

A trumpet studio warm-up/fundamentals class will be offered as a supplement to the weekly private lesson. The class will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:30AM to 8:20AM in the Choral Room. Topics covered will include breathing, tone studies, technical exercises, lip slurs, single and multiple articulation and range building. Emphasis will be placed on the building of a practice routine. Although everyone is welcome to every class, all trumpet majors and minors MUST attend at least 4 times during the course of the semester. Failure to do so will preclude that student from receiving the grade of “A” for the semester. If the student cannot attend the class due to a previous class conflict, an independent research project will be assigned pertaining to building different practice routines.

Recitals

The Wednesday afternoon (1:00 pm) recitals and masterclasses are mandatory for all music majors; the lesson attendance policy will be in effect. All trumpet students (both major and non-major) will be required to attend all recitals given by the trumpet studio. This is to include performances given by the instructor, guest artists, and fellow students. Reasonable excuses will be accepted.

Masterclasses

The Wednesday afternoon masterclasses (1:00 pm, alternating with recital weeks) are also mandatory. Students will be required to keep a notebook containing class notes and handouts. The notebook will count for 5% of the overall grade. Failure to submit a notebook will result in the grade of Incomplete for the semester. Students who are unable to attend masterclass (due to class conflict) may compose two five page pedagogical papers to satisfy the notebook requirement.