Page Title

Clarinet Syllabus
MUS 100-551
Academic Year 2006-2007

The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana
Professor Maxine Ramey
Music Building 211
406-243-2155
maxine.ramey@umontana.edu

I. Course Objectives
    A. To develop in the student the performance skills within the assigned level
    B. To provide a suitable pedagogical background for the student to utilize
         his/her applied study in music education or studio instruction.
    C. To develop a thorough knowledge of performance literature
         and instructional materials for clarinet.

II. Credit Hours
    A. 1 credit hour = one 30 minute lesson per week.
    B. 2 credit hours = one 60 minute lesson per week.
    C. 3-4 credit hours = one 60 minute lesson per week with additional
        practice time required.

III. Requirements
    A. Lessons
            1. Attendance is mandatory.
                    a. lessons cancelled due to illness or emergencies
                        must be rescheduled and completed within one week.
                    b. if a school function causes a student to miss a lesson,
                        a make up must be arranged.
                    c. there should be no other reason to cancel a lesson.
            2. Lessons cancelled for the reasons listed above must be
                cancelled in advance. You may leave a voice mail (243-2155) or
                and email maxine.ramey@umontana.edu
            3. Lessons skipped or missed without a valid reason will receive a
               grade of an “F”.
            4. No more than two make-up lessons are allowed each semester.

For Fall of 2006: Lessons and make-ups will not be scheduled during/for the following school
holidays. As you can see everyone gets on free week off. Lessons assignments will reflect a 2
week prep for the next lesson after the holiday break.

Monday, September 4, 2006-Labor Day
Tuesday, November 7, 2006-Election Day
Wednesday, November 22-Thanksgiving Travel Day
Thursday, November 23-Thanksgiving Holiday
Friday, November 24-Thanksgiving Holiday
Lessons will be made up for
September 14th-Faculty Retreat
November 10th-Veteran’s Day

For Spring of 2007: Lessons will not be scheduled during/for the following school holidays: Spring
Break March27-31
Lessons will be made up for
February 19th- President’s Day

    B . Practice Requirements

            1. Music Performance Majors are required to practice a minimum
                of 4 hours per day beyond ensemble practice (1/2 hour warm up and
                2 ½ hours on lesson materials).

            2. All other music majors are required to practice a minimum of
               2 hours per day beyond ensemble practice (1/2 hour warm-up and 1 ½ hours
               on lesson materials).

            3. Music minors and non-majors are required to practice 45 minutes
                to 1 hour per day beyond ensemble practice.

    C. Materials

            1. Fall Semester
                    a. notebook specifically for lessons
                    b. metronome-preferably one with subdivisions
                    c. reed supply: Weiner Music or Muncy Winds
                    d. mirror
                    e. assigned music: Eble Music Please!!!!
                    f. sand paper 600 or 400 grit
                    g. reed holder
                    h. screw driver

            2. Spring Semester
                    a. all of the above
                    b. tuner

PLEASE ORDER ALL YOUR MUSIC FROM EBLE MUSIC AND ALL YOUR CLARINET
SUPPLIES FROM WEINER MUSIC OR MUNCY WINDS. The prices are the best in the US and
orders arrive within 4-7 days! Please click on the links below: to order reeds and music:

    Eble Music
    Weiner Music
    Muncy Winds

    D. Clarinet Class: Required for all Music Major Clarinetist

            1. The clarinet studio will meet most weeks as a studio for:
                    a. Master classes
                    b. Clarinet Choir
    E. Other Requirements

            1. Music Majors: Membership in the International Clarinet Association

            2. Music Majors are expected to attend recitals in which a clarinetist is
performing. This should not be unreasonable considering all majors must attend 154 recitals within
the 4 year degree plan.*

                    a. Degree Recitals
                    b. Afternoon Recitals
                    c. Student Chamber Music Recitals
                    d. Appropriate Large Ensemble Concerts
                    e. Faculty Recitals
                    f. Faculty Chamber Music Recitals
                    g. Guest Artist Recitals

Required Recitals: 2006-2007
September 10, 2006 3pm-Ramey Faculty Recital
October 12, 2006 7:30pm-Symphonic Wind Ensemble
October 24, 206 7:30pm Faculty Chamber Recital
November 3, 2006 7:30pm-UM Orchestra Concert
November 9, 2006 7:30pm-Student Chamber Recital (Clarinet Choir Performance)
November 10, 2006 7:30pm- Sara Reibe Composition Recital (Clarinet Choir Perf)
December 1, 2006 7:30pm- Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band
December 5, 2006 7:30pm- UM Orchestra Concert
February 4, 2007 3pm -Cassie Keogh Junior Recital
March 1, 2007 7:30pm- Hillary Tutor Senior Recital
March 9-10, 2007 Montana/Idaho Clarinet Festival Times to be Announced
March 13, 2007-UM Orchestra Concert
March 22, 2007-Symphonic Wind Ensemble
April 24, 2007-Concert Band
April 26, 2007- Student Chamber Recital
May 1, 2007-Honors Convocation
May 2, 2007- Symphonic Wind Ensemble

3. All music majors will audition for Symphonic Wind Ensemble each year. While the SWE takes
only 9-11 players, the audition experience is invaluable and part of your education as a musician.
Students should expect to make the SWE by their Junior year!

IV. Lesson Approach
    A. Evaluation of physical aspects of playing
            1. embouchure and hand position exercises designed to correct
                and reinforce proper physical attributes/ warm up exercises.
    B. Evaluation of fundamentals
            1. tone, technique, tonguing and intonation exercises
    C. Etudes
    D. Solo and Chamber Music Literature
    E. Orchestral Excerpts
    F. Reed Adjusting
V. Grading
    A. Each lesson is graded as to:
            1. preparation of assigned material
            2. improvement during lesson
            3. attitude
            4. punctuality
            5. attendance
    B. The jury grade cannot affect the lesson grade by more than one letter

GRADING CRITERIA:
Regardless of your degree program, each lesson should demonstrate careful preparation of
assigned material. Based on a student’s ability level, degree program and practice time for each
level, each lesson should reflect PROGRESSIVE improvement in technical and musical ability as
established by me for each student. Each student is expected to be warmed up and mentally
prepared for each lesson so the time can be used in the most efficient and productive way.

A = HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACHIEVMENT. The student has consistently prepared for each lesson,
has displayed professionalism, and has made superior progress in all aspects of technique,
musicality and creativity. The student has completed the amount of material the teacher feels is
necessary for substantial progress.
B = EXCELLENT ACHIEVMENT. The student has displayed very high levels of preparation and
progress, and has completed an acceptable amount of literature.
C = IMPROVEMENT IS RECOMMENDED. The student is making some progress, but given
reasonable expectations, the student is not working completely to his or her potential.
D = POOR. Although a D is considered passing in some areas of student at the University of
Montana, it is not considered adequate for a student with professional aspirations in the music field
(music education and music performance). Much more practice is recommended and the grade
must be brought up in order to remain in the program. Probationary status in the clarinet studio
will be in effect until progress is made.
F = FAILING. A student receiving the grade of “F” will not be permitted to remain in the clarinet
studio and a change of major will be advised.

VI. Recital Requirements
    A. All music majors are required to perform an UPPER DIVISION RECITAL
PERFORMANCE (UDRP) during the sophomore year. The recital will be
performed during an Afternoon Recital Hour (Tuesday or Thursday at 2pm).
            1. UDRP will consist of at least two contrasting works.
            2. Performance Majors must memorize one selection.
            3. The UDRP will be about 15 minutes in length.
    B. Junior recital: required of all Performance Majors.
            1. 30-40 minutes of music
            2. Shared with another student
    C. Senior recital: required of all Performance Majors.
            1. Full recital of at least one hour of music
    D. Student recital: any BME music major or minor may give a recital in their
senior year. This is highly recommended for the BME student.
            1. The recital must be shared with another music student.
            2. This is an extremely valuable experience for the BME student.
            3. Students may present solo, chamber music, original compositions
    E. Students are encouraged to play on the recitals of fellow music students
including participation in the Composer’s Showcase, Student Chamber Recitals, and the New
Music Ensemble.

VII. Juries
    A. Juries are held at the end of each semester. This is an opportunity for
        you to perform for the woodwind faculty for comments. The jury is graded
        and the semester grade may be affected by the jury grade by one letter.
        The jury is required for all enrolled in the 151-551 series.
            1. Juries consist of scales, a prepared selection and sight reading

*Students with disabilities should consult with the instructor for accommodations.
*Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code:
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic
penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to
be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at www.umt.
edu/SA/VPSA/Index.cfm/page/1321.