LSMSA Course Syllabus

MU 283 - Minor Piano Study

Room P109A [Prudhomme]

Dr. Al Benner (318) 357-3231

Room P109A - office hours as posted on office door or on website

abenner@lsmsa.edu

COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES

To gain knowledge and understanding of the piano; to develop skills that will aid the individual in effectively performing piano literature that suits his/her abilities and challenges them; to learn proper technique and a strong foundation of correct and healthy ways to play the piano; and to develop other musical skills that will aid in the future study of the piano and other music courses.  The student may also be exposed to some theory, ear training, and sight-reading.

MATERIALS
Pencil and paper brought to each lesson.

Music for pieces or exercises being studied.

TEXT
The Instructor will select piano repertoire after consultation with the student.  Students will be expected to purchase copies of the music if they do not already own it and it is not in LSMSA’s small collection of piano repertoire.

REQUIREMENTS
Attend weekly lessons, perform a mid-term playing exam (to be determined by the Instructor), and perform a final jury exam at the end of the semester.  Have available before you come to your lesson, a listing of your weekly practice schedule to give the Instructor at the beginning of the lesson.

Minimum jury requirements: Fall: Two pieces, one memorized.

Spring: Two pieces, both memorized.

Students are encouraged to perform on a student recital and/or the Spring LMTA rally if they wish.  There are certain exemptions for Spring juries if one performs in a LMTA rally and meets certain requirements.  There are also exemptions from Spring juries if one performs a Senior Recital.  If you are interested, specifics may be discussed with your Instructor.

EXAMINATIONS AND GRADING

Specifics about grading procedures will be discussed in class by the Instructor. In general:

• At each lesson 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 lesson.
• There will be a mid-term playing exam.  This will take place within the last week of mid-term [Sept. 30, Oct. 2 or Oct. 7, depending upon your lesson day].
• Both Dr. C. Jones, an outside Adjudicator (if available), and your Instructor will give you a grade when you perform your final jury exam.  Those three grades will be averaged for your grade on the final exam.
• Students are required to attend one musical performances (as described by the Instructor) during the semester and turn in a written (computer or typed) report, minimum one page, single and ½ spaced, font no larger than 12 point, about the event (due no later than two weeks after the performance date).  This paper is due no later than the last day of class.  You can always turn in your report before that date.  If you miss the deadline, 0 points will be given.  If you wait until the last day and your paper does not meet the paper requirement or you do not turn one in, you will receive 1 letter grade lower for your semester grade. 
• 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 lesson 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).

Your Instructor is a firm believer in results.  In most cases, your final grade will be determined under the following formula: weekly lessons, 60%, mid-term 15%, final 25%.  However, if one performs exceptionally well (above and beyond results that were apparent during weekly lessons) for the mid-term exam and final jury, it is possible to make an "A" even if one has a grade of "B" for the weekly lessons.  This however, will be extremely rare and should not be viewed by the student as a way to overcome lack of effort and concentration during weekly lessons.  In piano, as in life, one mainly gets what one properly prepares for.

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.

PRACTICE
Practice outside class is required to become a better pianist (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 3 3/4 hours (5 - 45 minute practice sessions).  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.