Texas Tech University Applied Trombone Policies/Procedures Fall 2017 James T. Decker Room 210 806-834-8865 office 808-386-4224 cellular james.decker@ttu.edu I. General Weekly Activities A. Weekly Performance Classes: Tuesdays, 5:00 5:50, beginning on August 29, 2017. Location of each performance class will be posted outside my studio door B. Trombone Choir/Trombone Chamber Music C. Private Lessons: Students will be assigned regular 50-minute time slots either with me exclusively or alternating between myself and our TA, Matthew Sidilau or exclusively with Matthew Sidilau. II. Equipment needs A. Adequate Professional Model Trombone (.547 bore) in good working condition. B. Straight Mute C. Etudes and Solos as prescribed. D. Metronome E. Recording Device (Tape Player, Mini-disc, etc.) F. Breathing Device 1. 1 st year students: Breath Builder 2. 2 nd year students or greater: Breathing Bag 5 liter anesthesia bag or greater G. Intonation Repair Tool First Year- pick up by Spring Semester H. Active Smart Music Subscription I. IPad/Android Apps 1. Music Journal App or similar practice tracking app 2. Tempo App 3. Tonal Energy Tuner App 4. Read Rhythm App 5. Scales App
III. Iota Tau Alpha A. Trombone Service Fraternity, an organization which helps support, promote and champion the trombone through the sponsorship of: 1. Guest Recitals 2. Clinics 3. Regional Festivals, such as the Big XII Trombone Conference B. Membership is a Trombone Studio Requirement 1. You will be invoiced the dues amount. 2. Check, cash or credit card payments are acceptable IV. Performance, Education, Music Minor General Requirements A. Practice Time 1. Performance Majors: 3 or more hours/day 2. Education and Non-Majors: 2-2 ½ hours/day B. Workload Responsibilities 1. Performance and Education Majors: Iota Tau Alpha Membership, Technical Smart music Exercises, Chamber Music Requirement, Weekly Performance Classes, Concert Attendance and Jury/Recital. 2. Education Members who have completed their Junior Recitals: Iota Tau Membership, Chamber Music Requirement, End of Semester Jury and Technical Smart music Exercises. V. Grading Policies A. Grading Proportions: outlined in the course syllabus B. Jury grading specifics are outlined below. C. EXTRA CREDIT/MAKE-UP OPPORTUNITIES: 1. Serving as an officer for ITA (trombone services fraternity) will result in 50 points credit to your grade. 2. Everyone participating in two chamber music groups will get 50 points added to their grade 3. Other musical enriching activities may be granted extra credit, at the discretion of Mr. Decker. 4. Attendance of group classes will result in 10 points added to your grade/attended class. 5. Students may earn a maximum of 150 points extra credit/semester (equivalent to raising your grade by a grade and a half)
VI. Scale Requirements A. All freshmen will be studying major and natural minor scales this semester. It is required that they will practice these 24 scales/day B. Sophomores and above need to practice all 48 Scales/day C. All undergraduates may be examined on their scale knowledge during any lesson. The performance level of their scales will be considered for daily lesson grading purposes. VII. Studio Technical Requirements A. Smart Music Fundamental/Technical Exercises 1. All students will be required to perform technical facility exercises. These exercises will be worked on generally in various keys during weekly lessons. Grading will be generated through Smartmusic. 2. Technical Assignments Four assignments total will be submitted. 1) All technical facility exercises will be graded through Smartmusic Impact during lessons. Assignment details will be listed separately in detail. 3) Every individual needs a current Smartmusic Subscription to complete the technical assignments. 4) Grading: 25 points/technical facility exercise (Four submissions total; 100 total possible points) B. The following material will be studied during the first half of the semester and graded during the second half of the semester a. First Year Students: Major Scales b. Second/Third Year: Thirds - Major VIII. Chamber Music/Trombone Choir Component A. Students are required to be in either an active trombone chamber music group (trombone quartet, jazz trombones, etc.) or trombone choir. Freshmen/First Year Students/Sophomores are expected to participate and register for trombone choir.
B. Smaller Trombone Ensemble 1. You must let Mr. Decker know of your group personnel by Wednesday, August 30, 2017. Mr. Decker will assign repertoire and activities of the group for the upcoming semester. 3 If a student does not indicate their group personnel by the above date, they will be enrolled in MUEN3110-209, Trombone Choir. IX. Big 12 Trombone Conference A. EVERYONE is required to attend clinics/concerts and assist with the administration of the Big 12 Trombone Conference, which is January 12-14, 2018 -. Charles Vernon will be the featured guest artists! B. ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN AT ALL EVENTS! Details of the logistics will be documented and reviewed at a later date. X. Carol of Lights 1. Carol of Lights Celebration date, Friday, December 1, 2017 2. Rehearsal schedule TBA 3. Great major public showcase for the Trombone Studio, Iota Tau Alpha and the TTU Music Department 4. All are required to participate there will be a 100-point deduction from the applied lesson grade for those who do not participate XI. Juries A. Everyone, other than current semester recitalists, will be required to play a jury. B. Repertoire: Selections from one of the following categories: 1. Solo repertoire with accompaniment (students must use a live accompanist) 2. Unaccompanied solo 3. A solo plus a selection of four orchestra excerpts, minimum 4. Freshman/First Year Students: For the first semester of study, freshman and First Year Students may perform two contrasting etudes of their choice. C. The total time of the juries will be 8 minutes maximum. D. Grading Parameters 1. Any performance of a trombone/ piano work unaccompanied will result in a one grade deduction on the jury grade. 2. If an accompanist cancels out at the last minute, please see Mr. Decker for advice on an emergency alternative. 3. The accompanist requirement is waived if the student decides on the solo/excerpt option for jury performance
E. Preparation/Performance Guidelines 1. Everyone needs to fill out a jury form and a repertoire report form filled out for their jury. Rep Report Forms are to be emailed to Professor Decker 2. Students must sign up for a jury time before Dead Day Anyone who does not sign up for their jury by this time will fail the jury. 3. All students should arrive at the jury at least 10 minutes before their scheduled jury time. 4. Treat the jury as a performance. Dress accordingly. You may be penalized a letter grade if dress is too sloppy immodest or casual (i.e. no jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, etc.). XII. Blackboard www.blackboard.com Primary areas to visit/monitor: A. Course Homepage contains key folders and information 1. Applied Assignment Details contains details on Smart Music and Concert Reports and Attendance 2. Important Web Links 1. Music Vendor Web Sites 2. Trombone Artist Web Sites 3. Music Organization Web Sites 3. Practice and Study Resources 1. Practice Spreadsheet 2. Library Call List 3. Music PDF s 4. Recital/Jury Forms and Accompanist Information 1. Current Accompanist List 2. Repertoire Report Form 3. Jury Form 5. TTU Trombone Studio Promotional Sites 1. TTU Trombone Studio Website 2. TTU Facebook Page 3. Lubbock Trombone Forum 6. Orchestral Excerpt Information and Resources 1. Stacy s Trombone Site news and information about recent orchestral auditions 2. Tromboneexcerpts.org an introduction to Orchestral Excerpts B. My Grades place where to monitor academic progress