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For composition students:

Composition students will be expected to complete at least one composition and will be expected to have a premiere performance of at least one piece.  The student will be required to demonstrate a capacity to write sketches and shorter works in a variety of styles and instrumental genres.

For performance students:

These represent minimum requirements. If the student is more advanced, repertoire, technique and sight reading should be adjusted to the appropriate level.

1. Fundamentals
   • Wind Instruments
     • Breathing exercises and breath control
     • Posture and correct positioning of instrument
     • Embouchure
     • Tone development
     • Intonation
     • Development of dynamic range
     • Articulation.
   • Guitar
     • Correct sitting posture
     • Correct hand positions
     • Tuning
     • Fingernails and development of tone
   • Voice
     • Breathing exercises and breath control
     • Posture
     • Intonation
     • Extended range and dynamics
     • Vocalization
   • Percussion
     • Stick grip
     • Positioning of instrument(s)
     • Playing position
     • Understanding of specialized notation
   • String Instruments
     • Posture and instrument position
     • Left hand – correct position and development of technique
     • Right hand – correct bow hold and use of bow
     • Tuning of instrument
     • Tone production
     • Intonation
2. Technique – to be played evenly, with good tone and correct fingering.
   • Wind Instruments
     • Scales:  
       • all major and natural minor keys
       • one octave
       • in quarter notes at MM quarter note = 60
       • with the following articulations:  
         • all tongued
         • slur 2
         • slur 2, tongue 2   
     • Arpeggios:
       • all major and minor keys
       • one octave
       • in quarter notes at MM quarter note = 60
       • with the following articulations:
         • all tongued
         • slur 3
   • Piano
     All sharp majors and their relative harmonic and melodic minors.
     • Scales:
       • to be played two octaves, in sixteenth notes, hands together at MM quarter note = 76
     • Chords:
       • to be played in four note form, in sixteenth notes, hands separately, broken for two octaves at MM quarter note = 69.             
       • Dominant sevenths to be played solid and broken.
     • Arpeggios:
       • to be played in root position, in sixteenth notes, hands together, two octaves including major, minor, dominant seventh and diminished seventh at MM quarter note = 69.
     • Chord Progressions: At the discretion of the instructor.
       I - IV – V-I in all major and minor keys.
   • Guitar
     • Scales: 
       • major, melodic minor and harmonic minor as follows:
         F#, G, Ab, A (two octaves beginning on the sixth string) C, D, Eb (two octaves beginning on the fifth string)
       • in eighth note triplets and in sixteenth notes at MM quarter note = 40
     • Cadences:   – each scale should end with a I - IV - V - I cadence in quarter notes
   • Percussion
     • Snare Drum: 13 essential rudiments from National Association of Rudimental Drummers plus selected works fromGoldenberg: Modern School for Snare Drum.
     • Mallet instruments
       • Scales: All major and natural minor keys, two octaves in quarter notes at MM quarter note = 80.
       • Arpeggios: All major and minor keys, two octaves in quarter notes at MM quarter note = 80.
       • Selected etudes from Goldenberg: Modern School for Xylophone. 
   • String Instruments
     • Scales:
       • all major keys
       • one octave
       • eighth notes at MM quarter note = 60
       • one and two notes per bow
     • Arpeggios:
       • all major keys
       • one octave
       • separate bows
3. Studies, Etudes or Vocalises
   At least two to be selected at the discretion of the instructor.
4. Repertoire
   Selection of repertoire should encompass stylistic variety.
• Wind Instruments, Guitar, Voice, Percussion and String Instruments
  At least two pieces to be selected by the instructor.
• Piano
  A minimum of three pieces to be selected by the instructor. One selection may be substituted by an accompaniment of appropriate difficulty.
5. Sight Reading
• Instruments only
  Materials of appropriate complexity in terms of key, rhythm, range and style are to be selected by the instructor. The student will demonstrate accuracy and an understanding of the musical features and characteristics.
6. Other Materials – At the discretion of the instructor.
• Wind Instruments, Guitar, Voice, Percussion and string Instruments
  Orchestral excerpts, special techniques, transposition, etc.
• Piano
  Transposition of simple melodies in keys up to three sharps and three flats, hands separately.
  Harmonization of simple diatonic melodies using block chords I - IV - V.
7. Performance
• Students may perform in one student recital during the semester.
• Students are expected to attend all ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ student and professional recitals.