76.147 Ensemble Performance 1
Course Information and Standards
- Class meeting time/place
- TBD
- Instructor
- TBD
- Office hours
- TBD
Course Description
Ensemble Performance 1 introduces students to the skills, knowledge, and
attitudes necessary to satisfactory ensemble performance. The following
general areas are among those addressed:
- tone, ensemble balance and blend
- intonation and tuning
- aural skills in instrumental performance
- phrasing and interpretation
- sight reading in an ensemble setting
- ensemble performance preparation
- general ensemble musicianship skills
Each meeting of the course will typically include melodic and rhythmic
exercises, sight reading, and performance of rehearsed pieces. Open
to all students by audition. Credit: 2.0.
Goals and Objectives
The goal of the course is to bring each student to a level of
accomplishment in the skill areas enumerated above that will enable
him/her to move on to Ensemble Performance 2.
Recommended Books
Instructors should be aware that Ensemble Performance 1 is
essentially a remedial course in basic musicianship. Students come
into it with only basic skills on their instruments and with a variety of gaps
in their musical knowledge and experience. Instructors are therefore
encouraged to substitute materials for those listed here if in their
judgment a particular group of students would benefit. The Music Department
also maintains a small collection of pieces for various guitar
ensembles and groups of unspecified treble- and bass-clef instruments
which can be used in this course.
- Mark White. J.S. Bach, Selected Chorales. Newton, MA:
Mark S. Henry Music, 1991.
- Willis Traphagan. Scale & Chord Studies in Major and Minor Keys.
Available through the Music Department.
Required Course Materials
- 12-staff spiral bound music notebook
- No. 2 pencils
Course Outline
The following illustrates one possible overall organization of the
course. In addition to in-class rhythm and performance exercises,
sight-reading and dictation exercises, and ensemble performances of
prepared pieces, the instructor may also give written assignments
based on any of the musical concepts discussed during a class
meeting.
- Week 1: Divide into groups; pass out jazz and classical
pieces; learn the circle of fifths; learn first two major scales,
chords, and arpeggios (C and F).
- Week 2: Rehearse and discuss rehearsal techniques. Homework:
Learn next two major scales, chords, and arpeggios (Bb and Eb).
- Week 3: Rehearse. Homework: Learn next two major scales,
chords, and arpeggios (Ab and Db).
- Week 4: Rehearse. Homework: Learn next two major scales,
chords, and arpeggios (F# and B).
- Week 5: Rehearse. Homework: Learn next two major scales,
chords, and arpeggios (E and A).
- Week 6: Rehearse. Homework: Learn next two major scales,
chords, and arpeggios (D and C)
- Week 7: Rehearse. Homework: Play all the scales connected
around the circle of fifths.
- Week 8: Mid-term exam. Test on major scales and arpeggios (in
eighth notes at 70 BPM) one octave up and down. Test may also
include a written component.
- Week 9: Rehearse. Choose three pieces for final exam
(contrasting styles, one must be classical).
- Week 10: Rehearse.
- Week 11: Rehearse.
- Week 12: Rehearse.
- Week 13: Dress rehearsal for final exam.
- Week 14: Final exam (in-class performance, open only to class).
Grading Policy
Grades in this course are determined primarily by attendance and by
the level of participation in class activities. The grades awarded to
each ensemble for its performances will be included in the computation
of the final grade awarded to each student in the ensemble. Grades
for any written homework, quizzes, and tests on material covered in
the course will also be included in the computation of the final
grade.
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is essential to the success of the ensemble. To be
considered "present", the student must have all required books and
scores, and his/her instrument together with all necessary equipment
(amplifier, cables, etc.) in working order. Each unexcused absence
will result in the loss of a full letter grade from the final grade.