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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 sample requirements. Depending on the level of the student, repertoire, technique and sight reading will be adjusted appropriately.

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 (nylon string, steel string, and/or electric), Electric Bass Guitar, and Lute:
   • Correct sitting posture
   • Correct hand positions
   • Tuning
   • Development of tone
   • Voice
   • Body awareness (posture, alignment)
   • Breathing (physical function, concept of breath control/support)
   • Making sound: phonation (balance, registers, intonation, comfort in developing personal vocal sound, range, dynamics)
   • Diction (vowels, consonants, diphthongs)
   • Applying musicianship skills (notation, rhythm)
   • Percussion and/or drum set
   • Stick grip
   • Positioning of instrument(s)
   • Playing position
   • Understanding of specialized notation
   • Keyboard (piano, organ, harpsichord)
   • Pentachord exercises
   • Lateral movements with the thumb
   • Major and minor scales and arpeggios, two octaves, ascending and descending
   • Triads and inversions, one octave, ascending and descending
   • Articulations
   • Pedal techniques (organ only)
   • String Instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass)
   • 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
   
   • Wind Instruments
     • Scales:  
       • all major and natural minor keys
       • one octave, ascending and descending
       • with the following articulations:  
         • all tongued
         • slur 2
         • slur 2, tongue 2   
     • Arpeggios:
       • all major and minor keys
       • one octave, ascending and descending
       • with the following articulations:
         • all tongued
         • slur 3
   • Guitar (nylon string, steel string, and/or electric), Electric Bass Guitar, and Lute
   • Scales:
   • Major, minor, modal and other scale forms, ascending and descending, at the discretion of the instructor and in consideration of the style being studied
   • Arpeggios, cadences and chord progressions:
   • at the discretion of the instructor and in consideration of the style being studied
   • Voice
   • At the discretion of the instructor and in consideration of the style being studied, vocal exercises suited to the needs of each student will be applied that cover the introductory principles of vocal development: flexibility, strength for breath capacity/management, relaxation of vocal tension, vowel clarity/purity, register isolation, coordination and balance, and range.
   • Keyboard (piano, organ, and harpsichord)
     All sharp majors and their relative harmonic and melodic minors
     • Scales:
       • to be played two octaves hands together, ascending and descending
     • Chords:
       • to be played in triads or four note form, hands separately, for two octaves            
       • Dominant sevenths to be played solid and broken
     • Arpeggios:
       • to be played in root position, hands together, two octaves: major, minor, dominant seventh and diminished seventh
     • Chord Progressions: At the discretion of the instructor.
   • Percussion and/or Drum Set
     
     • Snare Drum: 13 essential rudiments from National Association of Rudimental Drummers plus selected works from Goldenberg: Modern School for Snare Drum.
     • Mallet instruments:
       • Scales: All major and natural minor keys, two octaves
       • Arpeggios: All major and minor keys, two octaves
       • Selected etudes from Goldenberg: Modern School for Xylophone
   • Drum Set:
   • various styles and rhythms at the discretion of the instructor
   • String Instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass)
     
     • Scales:
       • all major keys
       • one octave
       • one and two notes per bow
     • Arpeggios:
       • all major keys
       • one octave
       • separate bows
3. Studies, Etudes or Exercises
   
   • To be selected at the discretion of the instructor.
4. Repertoire
• At least two pieces to be selected by the instructor in consultation with the student.  Stylistic variety will be considered.
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
• May be introduced at the discretion of the instructor.   Examples include orchestral excerpts, special techniques, transposition, improvisation, etc.
7. Performance
• Students may perform in student recitals and/or masterclasses during the semester, with instructor permission.