LSMSA Course Syllabus
MU 374 – Major Instrumental Study
TBA; Room 109A [Prudhomme]
Dr. Al Benner (318) 357-3231
Room 109A - office hours as posted on office door or on website
abenner@lsmsa.edu

DUAL INSTRUCTORS
The student will have their weekly private lesson with the appropriate NSU Instructor.  The NSU Instructor, for the most part, will determine the literature and course of actual instrumental study for the student.  In addition to your private lesson, you are, required to attend a weekly coaching class (50 minutes) here at LSMSA along with other Major Instrumental Study students.  Requirements for your private lessons should be discussed with your appropriate private instructor.  What follows here applies to the coaching sessions.

COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES
To gain knowledge and understanding of your instrument; to develop skills that will aid the student in effectively performing solo and ensemble literature that suits his/her abilities and challenges them; to develop stage presence and other musical skills that will aid in the future study of your instrument; and to use this knowledge to assist with other music courses.  The student will also be exposed to some theory, ear training, and sight-reading.

MATERIALS
Ottman, Robert W.: Elementary Harmony: Theory and Practice, 5th ed.
Pencil and paper brought to each lesson.
Music for pieces being studied.

TEXT
The Instructor will also provide individual music sheets as needed.
The Instructor will select solo or ensemble repertoire after consultation with the student.  Students should also bring their pieces that they are working on with their NSU Instructor. 

REQUIREMENTS
Each week, students are required to attend their private lesson for repertoire work and the group coaching to work on stage presence, technique, theory, listening skills, and performance.  During the final semester, a Senior Recital will be required.  A Junior Recital may also be given upon approval of your private teacher and your LSMSA Instructor.  You, and your classmates, are also expected to perform on the LCC concert series, Student Recitals and where additional opportunities exist for performances.

At the end of each semester, you will perform a jury as set up by your NSU Instructor and your LSMSA Instructor.  This will be your final exam grade.  Successfully passing this jury will determine your opportunity to continue Major Instrumental Study.

EXAMINATIONS AND GRADING
Your final grade will be a combination of your NSU Instructor’s grade and your LSMSA Instructor’s grade.  Specifics about your coaching grading procedures will be discussed in class by the Instructor. In general:

• At each coaching session a grade will be assigned in three areas--preparation, performance, and progress.  You are always free to ask your grade for any given lesson.
• Since each student will be judged according to their abilities, a specific determination of what qualifies as an "A" in each area is difficult to determine because it will vary from student to student and the music that is assigned.  Basically, for preparation -- practice the minimum hours suggested below and show that proper practice techniques were observed; for progress -- this will be determined according to how you proceed each week; for performance -- this is mainly results, how well you play during your lesson based on your individual ability.  All three areas are given equal weight to determine your overall grade for that session.
• There may be a mid-term playing exam.
• Students are encouraged to attend at least two musical performances during the semester and discuss those performances with your Instructor.  Since you will be doing outside performances, this is in lieu of writing papers.
• At the discretion of the Instructor, pluses can be given for either exceptional work or minuses for behavior that is disruptive or refusal to participate in class requirements or assignments.  These points will be used for student’s whose grade is "on the fence."  It is also possibly that multiple minuses will lower your grade.

For the weekly coaching session grades, mid-term and final exam, you will be given a letter grade of A, B, C, or D. The Instructor may add pluses or minuses (i.e., B+) for his own use, however, your final grade will not carry a plus or minus. (i.e., if you are listed as a B+, you will get a B).

Grades are determined according to: A=3.6 to 4.0; B=2.6 to 3.59; C=1.6 to 2.59; D=below 1.6. For this average, the following will be used: A 4; A- 3.7; B+ 3.4; B 3; B- 2.7; C+ 2.4; C 2; C- 1.7; D+ 1.4; D 1.

Your mid-term and final exam grade will be determined by averaging your private Instructor’s grade (50%) with the coaching session grade (50%). 

PRACTICE
Practice outside class is required to become a better instrumentalist (and to make the progress that will be the main foundation for your grade).  Treat practice sessions as you do studying for any other course here at LSMSA.  It is expected that the minimum practice time between lessons is 6 hours (6 - 1 hour practice sessions), however, specifics about practice should be discussed with your NSU Instructor.  Of course, practice time is only effective when one concentrates on proper practice techniques.  It is proper practice that gets results, not time for time’s sake.

ATTENDANCE
Students must adhere to the LSMSA attendance policy.  Failure to attend a lesson will be reported on the attendance report.  The administration and/or the school nurse, not the Instructor, will determine whether or not an absence is excused.  If you do miss a lesson for any reason, it is your responsibility to contact the Instructor as soon as possible to schedule a make-up lesson.  Lessons missed that are excused will be made-up as the student’s and the Instructor’s schedule allows.  Unexcused lessons will not be make-up and you will receive a "D" for that week’s lesson grade.  Tardies are considered more than five minutes late.  Three unexcused tardies are considered as one absence.  Since this class meets only once a week, absences are especially noteworthy.  Two unexcused absences will result in the drop of one letter grade.

LIFE PHILOSOPHY
Do what is right even if it is unpopular.
Take responsibility for your actions.
Don't let others think for you.
There is always a choice.
Be true to yourself.

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