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Applied Trumpet
Spring 2010

Office: Russell 287
Phone: 319/273-2086
Email: randy.grabowski@uni.edu
Website: www.randygrabowski.net

 

TRUMPET CLASS: Tuesday, 8:00 a.m., RSL 111 – Graham Hall
BRASS SEMINAR: Friday, 1:00, RSL 111 – Graham Hall
MENTOR JOURNAL: Due by the last day of classes – submitted electronically
LISTENING: CD Reviews Due Monday, April 5th– submitted electronically
TRUMPET PROJECT: Book Synopsis Due Monday, March 8th– submitted electronically

GRADING: Criteria to include the following:

Applied Lessons (60%)
      Attitude, Preparation, & Achievement (application of concepts; progress)
Jury (20%)
Trumpet Project/Listening/Mentor Journal (15%)
Attendance at Trumpet Seminar, Brass Seminar, and Trumpet Recitals (5%)
Students who tackle extra projects (i.e., Concerto/Performance Competitions, Recitals, etc.) will receive extra consideration

Note: Trumpeters are expected to practice a minimum of 3 hours per day for three credits (BM – performance majors), 2 hours a day for two credits (BME & BA), and 1 hour a day for one credit (non-majors). Time spent in ensemble rehearsals does NOT count toward this total. Progress can only be attained through due diligence of concentrated practicing.

OUTCOMES: It is expected that by the end of the semester each student will have enhanced his/her individual skills on the trumpet. This should include (but not be limited to) a heightened sense of musicianship; a more keen understanding of tone, balance, and blend; a better sense of confidence as a trumpeter; improved articulation, intonation, and array of "everyday" skills; an awareness of the role of the trumpet in various genres; and an overall understanding of the community of trumpeters.

APPLIED LESSONS: Primary criteria consists of Attitude, Preparation, and Achievement. Students must be warmed-up and prepared to play. Only lessons missed because of an emergency or instructor absence will be made up. Cell phones should be left on and set to silent or vibrate mode!!!

All applied trumpeters must bring a spiral bound notebook to each lesson. Assignments and suggestions will be written, and students will be asked to provide a written commentary and assessment of their progress.

JURIES: All students taking applied lessons in trumpet must perform a Jury at the end of the semester. For 100 – level approval, the Jury must be memorized and the student will be tested on his/her knowledge of scales (all Major; Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic minor; Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, & Myxolydian; Blues; Whole Tone).

TRUMPET PROJECT: Students will read and write a synopsis on The Art of Possibilty by Rosamund Stone Zaner OR Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner. While no length is specified, the paper shall be well-written and adequately cover the salient points of the book. Provide personal commentary where appropriate. Poorly-written papers will negatively affect the semester grade - late papers will affect the semester grade by 1/2 letter grade per day.

LISTENING: Students will listen to ten (10) complete recordings - each one should be new to the student (not previously listened to) and include four (4) classical trumpet, four (4) jazz trumpet, and two (2) brass ensemble. Poorly-written papers will negatively affect the semester grade - late papers will affect the semester grade by 1/2 letter grade per day.

MENTORS: Those students earning senior status will be assigned an underclassman trumpet student to mentor. Mentors will be required to meet with their student for a minimum of eight (8) lessons throughout the course of the semester and keep a Journal record of each lesson. Each Journal entry must include:
1. Date of lesson
2. Material covered (music/topics)
3. Immediate problem(s) to be solved
4. Method(s) for solving the problem(s)
5. Additional thoughts/ideas
The Journal will be in lieu of either the Trumpet Project or Listening activity (student’s choice) and shall be completed (and sent electronically to the instructor) by the last day of classes!

TRUMPET & BRASS SEMINAR ATTENDANCE: Attendance is mandatory unless the student is registered in another class or involved in a university-sponsored function. Role will be taken in each class. More than two absences during the semester will result in a lowered grade in Applied Trumpet. Students missing any Trumpet Class or Seminar must attend an approved concert and complete a one-page written report within one week of the absence.

TRUMPET RECITAL ATTENDANCE: Attendance at all trumpet recitals (faculty, student, and guest) is mandatory unless there is a conflict with a scheduled class or university-sponsored function. Work conflicts are not acceptable reasons for non-attendance. Mandatory Recitals this semester include:

Additionally, please consider supporting friends and peers in other disciplines by attending their performances. Specifically, treat yourself to a performance of something new – something you don’t ordinarily attend!

CONCERT ATTENDANCE: “School of Music undergraduate music majors (full time) are required to attend 8 (eight) approved performances each semester. School of Music sponsored recitals/concerts, programs involving the WCFSO, and music programs on the UNI Artists and Chamber Series qualify for concert attendance credit.” Obtain a card from the School of Music office and turn it in to Professor Grabowski on – or before – your semester jury. A grade of Incomplete will be given (for Applied Trumpet) to those individuals who fail to turn in a completed card.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from illegal discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students requesting instructional accommodations due to disabilities must arrange for such accommodation through Student Disability Services. The SDS office is located at 103 Student Health Center. The phone is: 273-2676 (voice) 273-3011 (TTY); Email: disabilityservices@uni.edu