I. Introduction
This studio policy includes the following information:
II. Studio Lessons
Studio lessons consist of 10 individual lessons per quarter and are a required part of the Performance, Music Education, and MIS - Production curricula. They are optional for all other emphasis areas. The maximum number of studio units allowed is determined by the emphasis area requirement. Exceptions must be approved by the studio teacher, department chair and lead person of each area.
Lead Faculty (07-08):
Keyboard Dr. Nadia Shpachenko
Voice Dr. Susan Burns
Guitar Dr. Peter Yates
Instrumental Dr. Janine Riveire
III. Audition Procedures
All new students (majors, minors, and non-majors) are required to audition in order to qualify for placement in studio lessons. Auditions are normally 10-15 minutes in length. The student should select material for the audition which best illustrates his or her abilities. Specific audition requirements for each instrument are listed below. Auditions for fall quarter will be held during Fall Conference week (the three days before classes begin). Auditions for winter and spring quarters’ studios (for transfer students) will be held during finals week of the prior quarter. Studio lessons are not offered during summer quarter. In order to continue in studio, the student must qualify at his/her jury each quarter.
Qualifying for studio lessons does not guarantee that the student will be awarded the lessons if they are not part of the required curriculum for the chosen emphasis area. The chair will consider the overall budget and faculty availability before awarding lessons.
Performance and Music Education majors may audition for studio as incoming freshmen. All other freshman must wait at least one year to audition for studio lessons, must complete a minimum of 36 units, and must be in good academic standing. Exceptions may be considered upon recommendation of the faculty.
To facilitate department planning and scheduling and to best serve the student, MIS and Interdisciplinary Emphases majors are expected to take studio lessons on the same instrument for 3 consecutive quarters. If the student stops out, then he or she may not be allowed to continue studio lessons in the future unless circumstances are beyond the control of the student (i.e, injury, illness, etc.).
IV. Audition Requirements
Faculty in each area/instrument shall determine minimum requirements for vocal and instrumental studios. If the student does not meet the requirements, s/he is encouraged to either enroll in one of the beginning classes, an ensemble, and/or to take private instruction in order to reach the minimum requirements. The committee that hears the audition will make recommendations to individual students who do not qualify for studio. Of special note are Music Production majors. These students should be advised in their first quarter that they will be required to take 3 quarters of studio, ensemble and performance seminar. If they have no previous experience, they must begin early to prepare in some area for studio lessons or be encouraged to change tracks.
Incoming students will be notified by email of the audition times and locations. Students should prepare the material as explained below. Please provide the following information in writing to the audition committee:
Minimum Entrance Audition Requirements for Studio Lessons:
An accompanist will be provided by the department when requested. For more detail on repertoire requirements, please contact the individual studio teacher.
Piano
The student will be asked to perform two pieces of contrasting styles, musical periods and tempos. The selections need to demonstrate the student’s musical and technical abilities. Students will be evaluated for their command of tone, phrasing, rhythmic accuracy, articulation, stylistic appropriateness and for their interpretation.
Students need to be prepared to play any Major scales, 3 or 4 octaves, up and down. Students will need to show good control of key signatures and fingerings.
Voice
The student will be asked to sing two memorized songs in contrasting styles and tempos which the student is capable of singing on pitch and with some musical understanding. The songs may be from the classical, Broadway, jazz, folk, or pop repertoire. The student will provide sheet music or a background track for each song. The student will be expected to demonstrate tonal memory skills. The student will be expected to demonstrate vocal potential as shown through tone quality, clear diction, rhythmic aptitude and the ability to communicate emotion.
Guitar
Students will be asked to play one instrumental piece representing their highest level of accomplishment, preferably from memory, and the two-octave major-scale form for the keys of C, D, and E. Students will be expected to demonstrate a minimal level of potential as shown through tone quality, rhythmic aptitude and the ability to communicate.
Flute
The student will be asked to perform 2 contrasting pieces. One should be a piece from the standard repertoire and one should be an etude by Andersen, Kohler or Garibaldi.
The student should be able to perform the following Major scales (2 octaves): C, G, D, A, F, Bb, and Eb. The student should also be able to play a two octave chromatic scale.
Clarinet
The student will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces. One should be an etude (from 32 Etudes, by Camille Rose). The student will be asked to show capability of performing each piece with rhythmic accuracy and musical understanding.
The student should be able to perform the following Major Scales (two octaves): C, G, F, D, Bb, A and Eb as well as a full range Chromatic Scale (from E below the treble staff to F above the treble staff).
Oboe
The student will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces; a classical etude and a classical solo (grade 3). He/she will be asked to show capability of performing each piece with some rhythmic accuracy and musical understanding.
The student should be able to perform the following Major Scales: C, G, F, D, Bb, A, Eb, E and Ab as well as a full range Chromatic Scale.
Saxophone
The student will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces (may be classical etude, classical solo, jazz solo or pop style solo that covers the entire range of the horn). He/she will be asked to show capability of performing each piece with rhythmic accuracy and musical understanding.
The student should be able to perform the following Major Scales (encompassing the range of the saxophone): C, G, F, D, Bb, A, Eb, E and Ab as well as a full range Chromatic Scale.
French Horn
The student will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces. One should be an Etude from either the Preparatory Melodies by Pottag, Book I or II by Maxime Alphonse or from a comparable book. The student should be able to perform major scales through 4 flats and sharps, one or two octaves.
The student should demonstrate a good tone, articulation, musicianship and rhythmic accuracy.
Trumpet
The student will be asked to perform major scales through 4 flats and sharps (one or two octaves) a chromatic scale for the full available range of the performer, an etude from Herring 32 etudes book or any comparable book/etude/solo in classical, or jazz styles demonstrating good tone, rhythm, intonation, articulation and musicianship.
Trombone
The student will be asked to perform one excerpt from the Melodious Etudes for Trombone, book 1 by Joannes Rochut.
The student should also perform four major scales, two sharp and two flat of their choice and should be prepared with all scales if asked to play more. S/he must also perform one chromatic scale two octaves.
Violin and viola
The student is expected to know basic fundamentals of violin or viola playing: balanced posture, left-hand position and bow arm techniques; open-string exercises; studies and simple pieces in first and third positions; 2-octave scales and arpeggios in the first position (G major; A major; Bb major; C major) and the 2-octave D major scale which uses third position.
Repertoire should include 2 selections comparable to a movement by Vivaldi or Lully that demonstrate the student’s abilities on the instrument.
Cello
The student is expected to know basic fundamentals of cello playing: balanced posture, left-hand position and bow arm techniques; open-string exercises; studies and simple pieces in first position; forward and backward extensions; scales and arpeggios in the first position. Two-octave scales: C major; D major; Eb major. Two octave F major scale using third position.
Repertoire should include two pieces comparable to or more advanced than those in Muffat’s Old Masters for Young Players that demonstrate the student’s abilities on the instrument.
Double Bass
The student will be expected to demonstrate tonal memory skills and give evidence of some knowledge of the rudiments of music. Students must demonstrate fundamental performance skills, including balanced posture, left hand position and bowing techniques; studies and simple pieces in first, half, and third (or fourth) position; scales and arpeggios in F, G, Bb, C and D major. Two-octave scales in E major; F major; G major.
Repertoire should include two pieces comparable to a Marcello sonata movement that demonstrate the student’s abilities on the instrument.
Electric Bass
The student will be expected to demonstrate tonal memory skills and give evidence of some knowledge of the rudiments of music. Students must demonstrate fundamental performance skills, studies and simple pieces; scales and arpeggios in F, G, Bb, C and D major.
Music Education and Performance incoming freshmen who play electric bass but not upright will start studio in electric bass. By the end of three quarters, the studio teacher will develop a plan for integrating upright bass into the student’s course of study. Transfer students will be encouraged to study both instruments based their previous experience and goals.
If they qualify for studio, MIS or ISM students may choose either instrument in consultation with the studio teacher based on their previous experience and goals.
Percussion
The student will prepare the following based on his/her chosen emphasis area:
Performance (classical): Three prepared etudes (snare, timpani, marimba)*
Performance (commercial): Three prepared chart excerpts (swing, latin, rock)
Music Ed: One prepared etude (chosen from snare, timpani, marimba, drumset)
*If a student has had limited or no experience on some instruments, then the department may waive multiple etudes.
Ensemble Requirement
All students enrolled in studio lessons must be concurrently enrolled in an ensemble that relates to or supports the studio class. This may be determined by the curriculum requirements and/or the studio teacher or ensemble director. Ideally the studio teacher has input regarding the choice of ensemble. In addition, students on scholarship may be required to be enrolled in particular ensembles as indicated by the scholarship letter. Students enrolled in studio are also highly encouraged (and most are required) to enroll in the appropriate Performance Seminar (MU 270) class as well as the ensemble.
V. Applying for Upper Division Studio (300 level)
At the end of the 6th quarter of studio lessons (or possibly sooner for transfer students), students are eligible to apply for upper division standing. These auditions are part of the regular fall and winter juries. However since spring juries are attended by all full-time faculty, the student and his/her studio teacher must make special arrangements for the technical part of these juries to be held separately from the normal jury times. Therefore students would perform selected repertory for the full jury while scales and additional repertory would be presented to a smaller committee that includes the lead person of that area. The studio teacher in conjunction with the lead person in each area is responsible for arranging the audition. This will include consultation with other related faculty and department accompanist if needed.
Each instrument has specific repertory and technical requirements for eligibility into upper division standing. Students should be notified of these when they begin studio lessons so they can see what is ahead of them and have a clear understanding of what needs to be done to prepare for the audition.
Upper Division Requirements:
Piano:
Voice:
a. Performance (classical and Music Theatre) and Music Education
Students will prepare seven songs to include:
1. One Italian song
2. One English art song
3. One German Lied
4. One French art song
5. One song from the contemporary period
6. One aria from an opera or oratorio
7. One selection of the student's choice
b. Performance (commercial)
Students will prepare seven songs to include:
1. One Italian song
2. One English art song
3. One song in a language other than English or Italian
4. One contemporary art song
5. One musical theatre selection
6. One jazz or pop selection
7. One selection of the student's choice
Students will provide the jury panel with a complete list of all repertoire studied during their lower division lessons that is organized to show each category studied.
Guitar:
Woodwind and Brass instruments:
Strings:
Violin and Viola
a. At least 3 contrasting solo works (should include a concerto movement and/or a movement of a Bach Suite or by memory)
b. At least 4 orchestral excerpts or 2 excerpts and 2 jazz/pop transcriptions
c. All major and minor scales (all 3 versions of minor for all keys) in three octaves
Students will provide the jury panel with a complete list of all repertoire studied during their lower division lessons that is organized to show each category studied.
Cello
a. At least 3 contrasting solo works (should include a concerto movement and/or a movement of a Bach Suite or by memory)
b. At least 4 orchestral excerpts or 2 excerpts and 2 jazz/pop transcriptions
c. All major and minor scales (all 3 versions of minor for all keys) in three octaves
Students will provide the jury panel with a complete list of all repertoire studied during their lower division lessons that is organized to show each category studied
Double Bass
a. At least 3 solo contrasting works, including one movement from a concerto or a Bach Suite
b. At least 6 orchestral excerpts or 3 excerpts and 3 jazz transcriptions
c. all major and minor scales (all 3 versions of minor for all keys) in two or three octaves (E, F, F# and G in 3 octaves)
Students will provide the jury panel with a complete list of all repertoire studied during their lower division lessons that is organized to show each category studied.
Electric Bass:
Percussion:
1. Performance (classical): multiple-perc solo, timp solo, marimba solo (multi-perc is traditional instead of snare)
2. Performance (commercial): drumset solo and ensemble playing
3. Music Ed: solo (chosen from muliti-perc, timp, marimba or drumset)
VI. Enrollment and approval procedures; course syllabi and other policies
Quarterly juries serve as the audition for studio for the following quarter. Students will present the Quarterly Studio Request form which should also show the expected ensemble in which the student will enroll, and faculty will either approve or make a recommendation for additional classes or private instruction. Approval does not guarantee that the student will continue in lessons (unless part of their curriculum). That will be determined by budgeting and overall need.
Incoming students will provide the requested information (see above) and fill out an audition form upon arrival at the audition. Names of those who have been awarded studio along with other necessary information regarding how to register will be posted near the department office (posted by Kim via department chair). Those students who do not qualify will receive an email from either the lead person of the appropriate area or the studio teacher of the instrument on which the student auditioned.
Registration procedures
Kim will notify each student who is eligible for studio each quarter and send him/her an enrollment permission number. It is up to the student to enroll in studio and ensemble before the add deadline. Kim will check studio lists to ensure that all studio students are enrolled in an ensemble. If the student is not enrolled in the ensemble on the day after the last day to add, he or she will be administratively dropped from studio lessons and may not be allowed to continue in the future.
Distribution of the Course Syllabus
It is the responsibility and duty of each studio teacher to email the syllabus to his/her studio students EVERY QUARTER and cc Kim at the same time. That way, the office will have a copy each quarter of the new syllabus and the students will be informed of any changes in requirements or office hours.
We strongly urge each studio syllabus to include language about the teacher’s recommended practice time for the students. This needs to be clearly spelled out to the student and to the department accompanist where applicable.
Purchase of Music
We encourage students to build a library of materials and repertoire that support their individual needs and goals in studio lessons. It is the policy of the department to require all studio students to purchase music each quarter. In lower division, the purchase of one book or anthology per quarter is sufficient. In upper division, it is expected that all students purchase copies of all repertoire they are studying. The purchase of music may include hard copies, authorized down-loads, etc. This information should be added to the studio syllabi.
