STUDIO SYLLABUS

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
SCHOOL OF MUSIC

STUDY IN APPLIED TRUMPET

James Ackley
Associate Professor of Trumpet
Email:   jackley@mozart.sc.edu

This document is designed to outline the expectations and requirements involved in the study of Applied Trumpet at the University of South Carolina School of Music. It is in your own best interest to clarify with your teacher any sections on which you have questions.

GRADING

Grades will be based on the following Criteria:

• Lesson preparation and subsequent improvement. (50%)
• Scales, arpeggios, and transposition (Mid-term exam). (10%)
• Studio class/master classes (attendance and active participation). (10%)
• Juries. (20%)
• Concert Attendance (10%)

(Please see grading chart on following page for detailed lesson grading)

LESSONS

A regular, well thought-out practice routine is essential for personal improvement. For any degree program in trumpet, 2-3 hours of practice per day should be considered a minimum amount to practice. The student and teacher will arrive at a mutually agreed upon amount of time the student will commit to practicing.

Practice should include the following areas:

• Warm-up.
• Scales, arpeggios, and transposition.
• Etudes (both lyric and technical).
• Excerpts.
• Technical studies and articulation.
• Solo repertoire.

Additionally, students can regularly be given listening assignments in conjunction with their lesson material, especially in regards to their respective jury performance piece. It is the responsibility of the student to complete the listening assignment prior to their lessons. Build listening time into your daily schedule.

Lesson assignments will represent the above areas of study, which may vary from student to student. The student will be expected to have the work prepared from each of these categories or as assigned for each lesson.

Students are expected to report to their lesson warmed-up . Failure to do so inhibits your abilities to perform at your optimum level and is grounds for dismissal from the lesson . A grade of failing will be given for that lesson.

Absence from any lesson will be excused for illness, family emergency, religious obligation, audition/job interview, or a USC event only. Prior notice is greatly appreciated and should be expected. Every reasonable effort will be made to make up any missed lessons . Lessons missed without prior notification risk being graded as failing and will not be made-up .

Grades are usually recorded for each lesson. You are always able to check with me on the status of your grade during the term. Your grade is based on performance, progress, improvement, effort and attitude. As these terms can be rather subjective, it is in your own best interest to know your grades as the term progresses. Any student who is clearly unprepared for their lesson will be excused and that lesson will be graded as failing .

Materials: Students are required to obtain all printed materials needed. They are available through any number of sources (ask me if you need assistance or refer to the Resources page on the studio website). Plan on budgeting for music as you would for any other class. Photocopied materials or Library holdings are not acceptable substitutes for purchasing printed materials. A list of materials can be found on the studio website.

Accompanists: Students are required to arrange for accompanists to be at their lessons at a time mutually agreed upon. It is the student's responsibility to come to their lessons adequately rehearsed with their accompanists . Students that are performing juries should have their pianist available for at least 2 lessons with the studio teacher . Failure to do so could result in a failing grade or an incomplete . It is also a good idea to have an accompanist of high quality preparing your literature. Find a pianist EARLY in the semester (even if you do not have the music at the present moment). Please do not put this off!

SCALES, ARPEGGIOS, AND TRANSPOSITION

(The scale sheet is a separate handout. Please see me if you do not have one or need a new one.) Scales/transposition exams will be given during mid-term week at your regularly scheduled lesson time. Graduate students are responsible for the entire list within the first 2 terms of enrollment at USC. Undergrads, please note that scale requirements are cumulative. Your scale/transposition grade will count for approximately 10% of your overall applied grade; therefore having the potential of raising or lowering it by one full grade.

STUDIO CLASS

All students are required to attend. If you are unable to attend due to a music education course conflict, please see me. This class can affect your lesson grade if classes are missed without an excuse or prior notice . Please be responsible. Studio class will meet at a mutually agreed upon time.   This class may encompass many aspects of what we do in the studio and in the department:

Performance class (i.e. Mock Solo Competition)
Guest artists
Class presentations by students
Improvisation: both modern and baroque
Sight Reading
Trumpet Ensemble (extra rehearsal preparation)
Audition Preparation (i.e. Mock Orchestral Auditions)
Research Projects
Sectionals
Etc.

TRUMPET ENSEMBLE

You are strongly encouraged to participate in trumpet ensemble.   The best way to improve your craft is to know every aspect about its nature, the composition written for it and the opportunity to share this with "like" instruments in a chamber setting.

JURIES

I feel your performance in a jury situation is an accumulation of material, ideas, concepts and hard work culminating from the entire semester. Therefore, your jury grade (averaged between all jurors present) will constitute 30% of your final grade. A jury is a performance; therefore, please treat as such. Wear appropriate clothing and present you material to the jurors.

CONCERT ATTENDANCE

Every student in a music school needs to attend concerts.   I will ask you to attend at least seven concerts each semester; programs of which need to be turned-in at the end of the semester.   Failure to do so will affect your grade.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW

 Mental Health and Counseling
www.sa.sc.edu/chdc/
CHDC HOURS:
8:30 - 5:00 Monday through Friday.
APPOINTMENTS:
803-777-5223
LOCATION:
CHDC is located in the Byrnes Building 
(on Sumter St. across from The Horseshoe - on the 7th floor.)

Alcohol and Drug Program
www.sa.sc.edu/adp/resources.htm
Phone: 803-254-5301

STUDIO SYLLABUS (PDF)

PERFORMANCE CLASS SYLLABUS (PDF)