Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 4096
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New MediaDepartment: Music
Title: Symphony Orchestra IV
Semester Approved: Spring 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2024
End Semester: Fall 2024
Catalog Description: The course provides training and practical playing experience in a wide range of works for orchestra. Concerts and special programs are given throughout the year in which the students will be expected to participate. This ensemble will provide students with an opportunity to develop technical skill, sight-reading ability, and knowledge of the repertory related to the ensemble. It further allows students to synthesize musical, historical and cultural knowledge into meaningful artistic expression. Audition required. This course is repeatable for credit.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1-3; Lecture: 1-3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: MUSC 3096 or permission of instructor. Audition required.
Justification: This ensemble serves both music majors and non-music majors by providing an opportunity for students to perform standard orchestral works. The National Association of Schools of Music requires that member institutions serve both of these student populations. Through quality performance of significant literature, students will share this art with fellow student musicians and the composers whose music they create and preserve. Orchestra is required for all string music majors in each semester of their programs both at this institution and at transfer institutions. Non-majors are granted elective credit upon transfer. This course is similar to MUSC 4440, University Campus Symphony, at the University of Utah.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of a correct tone and articulation by playing with a proper amount of bow, weight, and attack. Tone and articulation will be assessed by the instructor during in-class rehearsals and public performances.
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of correct dynamics and balances by playing passages with a variety of loud and soft timbres as indicated in the music, and by adjusting to the style of other players, as needed. Dynamics and balances will be assessed by the instructor during in-class rehearsals and public performances.
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of correct rhythms and following the conductor, by playing in unison with other players and by periodically looking at the conductor for cues. Rhythms and following the conductor will be assessed by the instructor during in-class rehearsals and public performances.
Students will demonstrate how to perform in a proper historical style. This will be taught using class demonstrations by the teacher, audio and video recordings, an concert attendance at local and statewide performances. Proper historical performance will be assessed by the instructor during in-class rehearsals and public performances.
Students will be able to demonstrate basic improvement learning notes through individual practice time outside of class. Students will submit a written record of individual practice time throughout the semester as part of their course grade.
Content:
Concert repertoire will be chosen, rehearsed, and performed from each of the four major time periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary/Twentieth Century. Other topics will include using proper tone, variable dynamics and articulations, accurate intonation and rhythms, overall balance and blend, as well as following the conductor.
Key Performance Indicators:
Each student will be evaluated on the following:
Satisfactory participation in sectional and full ensemble rehearsals 30 to 40%
Satisfactory participation in each ensemble performance 30 to 40%
Daily practice record of assigned literature 30 to 40%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Music selections assigned by instructor.
Concert repertoire for the orchestra may include but is not limited to the following: Baroque Period Suites, Classical and Romantic Period Symphonies and Concertos, Tone Poems from the Romantic Period, and selected literature from the 20th Century.
Repertoire is available from a variety of publishers and may be purchased from sources including online websites and local music stores.
Pedagogy Statement:
The course provides training and practical playing experience for students.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 80
Optimum Class Size: 60