WOODWIND STUDY
IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
AT
THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY
STUDY OPTIONS
1) Music Education track
2) Performance track
3) Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education Major whose specialization is in music and major instrument is the woodwind area.
For all the above categories, incoming Freshmen and transfer students must play an audition before the woodwind faculty. Since the Department of Music mandates that each student have a performance focus, candidates are expected to perform at an advanced level on his or her instrument.
REGULATIONS REGARDING THE STUDY OF A WOODWIND INSTRUMENT
AT
THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY
Lessons
During the first week of classes it is the responsibility of each student to meet with the professor of the major instrument to arrange a studio lesson time. It should be a time of mutual agreement and remains the same for the semester. Students registered for a one credit lesson will receive a 25 minute lesson per week. Those registered for a two or three credit lesson will receive a 50 minute lesson per week. Variances of time in addition to those stated above are at the discretion of the individual teacher.
The adherence to the studio lesson is as important as any college class, and should be regarded with the following considerations:
1) Adequate warm-up time before the lesson.
2) Being prompt for the assigned time.
For all new students a copy of the studio syllabus will be presented at the first lesson. All students are expected to follow the requirements set down in the syllabus. These include studio policy and levels of repertoire.
Practice schedule
In order to become a better performer one must have a firmly established practice routine. That practice routine is not only something envisioned on paper, but one which comes to life each day and faithfully maintained - preferably at the same hour. Schedules differ, but the practice consistency must not. Individual teachers have his/her own prescription for good practice habits and it would be well to discuss a workable routine with you major teacher. Practice rooms on the basement level and a few tutorials on the second floor of the Music Building are provided for student use within the operational hours of the building.
Repertoire
Since the yearly requirement of appearing on the Wednesday Afternoon Recital Series applies to all students, maintaining an active repertoire is of vital importance. Learning and performing concerti, short contest pieces (Solo de Concours) and other types of woodwind solos and chamber works - at the discretion of each teacher – are an important means of gaining valuable experience in front of an audience and at the same time preparing for the Senior Recital.
Performance Levels
Each studio teacher – in a written syllabus - should provide each student with his/her list of repertoire with varying levels of difficulty that could be performed over the four year course of study. There are always extenuating circumstances involving the progress of each student and these can be approached on an individual basis.
Transfer students must expect to approach the level of technical proficiency and perform the repertoire of the level of difficulty for the class in which they are admitted.
Studio Class
At the option of the individual studio teacher, periodic meetings with the entire class - referred to as Studio Class - for the purpose of informal student performance is strongly encouraged. It is an opportunity for each student to perform solos or etudes in front of his/her fellow peers in the atmosphere of an informal recital. The option of constructive dialogue about the performance from the members of the studio adds a friendly touch.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Woodwind Juries
All woodwind students enrolled in either Music Education, Performance or Elementary tracks must perform a jury before the woodwind faculty each semester. The accepted performance work is a solo (not longer than10 minutes) with piano accompaniment to be played on the given jury day. Unaccompanied etudes, scales and other forms of “daily technique” are not acceptable for the jury. A sign-up sheet comprising intervals of 10 minute durations will be posted outside the studio of the Coordinator of Woodwinds at least three weeks before the jury date.
A departmental accompanist can be used for the jury by mutual agreement of schedule, otherwise it is the responsibility of each student to arrange for a paid accompanist outside of the department. This practice has worked well in the past and is the norm in many major colleges, universities and conservatories. Student accompanists if very well qualified might also be used. In any case, it is the performer who must consider the best accompanist for the success of his/her jury.
Each student will bring to the jury copies of the music to be performed and the completed adjudication form. These will be distributed to each member of the woodwind faculty.
Dress should be in keeping with the occasion of a stage performance not unlike the Wednesday Student Recital Series. Jacket and tie for men, dress, skirt or dress pants for women. Jeans or otherwise “picnic” attire is unacceptable.
NOTE: The graded weight for each jury is one-third of the final grade. The final two-thirds being awarded for the studio work.
Sophomore Review
In addition to the jury in the Sophomore year, each student is reviewed by the entire music faculty. Please refer to the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook for complete details.
Junior Qualifying Exam
The Senior Recital is not an automatic privilege but one granted or denied as the result of this exam. At the jury presentation in the second semester of the Junior year, the current level of the student’s performance is a determining factor weighed by the woodwind faculty as to whether a Senior Recital is warranted and in fact granted. The student has a right for one appeal in this process.
Sophomore Recital – Performance Major Only
This is a requirement for all Performance majors and is comprised of a 15-20 minute performance of music. This recital can be scheduled after the Student Recital Series on Wednesdays. The student is responsible for typing the program and presenting it to the Music Office four weeks before the performance date. All repertoire should be that which is prepared with, and approved by, the major teacher.
Junior Recital – Performance Major Only
This recital is dependent on the successful completion of the Sophomore Recital and the Sophomore Review. This program is one of 25-30 minutes in duration, usually presented in the second semester of the Junior year, and has the same structural guidelines as listed for the Sophomore Recital.
Junior and Senior Woodwind Recital Hearing
This hearing is specifically for the Junior Performance Major, and all Senior Recitals. A hearing before at least two woodwind faculty must be scheduled one month before the Junior/Senior Recital date. This hearing is a deciding factor as to whether the student’s preparation for this recital program is in fact, on a high enough level to merit presentation.
The student must present at least a 20 minute sampling of the music intended for the recital with accompanist. In addition, each student must complete all arrangements for this hearing i.e. finding a mutual time for all parties to be present, scheduling the Concert Hall and providing music for the adjudicating faculty.
Woodwind Study during Student Teaching
Woodwind majors while student teaching should arrange for the studio lesson at the convenience of both, teacher and student. In many cases because of the student’s commitment during the hours of their host school, late afternoon or evening hours might be required.
Student teaching and the Senior Recital must not be scheduled in the same semester. Sound reasoning for this rule hinges on the practice time (which in many cases is sharply limited while student teaching) necessary for preparation of the Senior Recital program and the responsibilities incurred at the host school.
RECITAL REQUIREMENTS
The Senior Recital
The capstone experience of each student in the Department of Music at The College of New Jersey is the Senior Recital. The department believes very strongly in maintaining its long tradition of training teacher/performers and to this goal encourages each student toward that end. A shared program is the norm, each student preparing approximately 30-35 minutes of music to be presented in a rather formal musical setting in the Concert Hall. See the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook for all specific details and regulations.
Wednesday Afternoon Recital Series
Each studio should encourage its students to participate in performing on this program as a means of bolstering confidence before an audience and accruing a repertoire that, in part, might be used for the Senior Recital.
The accepted length for a solo work is approximately 5-6 minutes. Freshmen students who might not be at the level of a solo work can substitute a chamber work of idiomatic importance to that individual instrument.
Overall Objectives of the Woodwind Program
A singular focus in studying a woodwind instrument on the college level is not only to technically become more adept, but in addition, use it as a means of more faithfully interpreting its repertoire. Attaining a good command of the instrument – with its many “pitfalls” is the only way one can fully expect to perform even the least difficult works.
Technical skills very from one individual to another but it must be concluded that, with diligent concentration and a good working practice routine, the necessary skills to becoming a better player will improve.
This means that improvement over a period of time should take place – albeit slower for one than another – with a definite and improved set of skills. These skills become manifest in each student through a growth in self-confidence and the expertise of the studio teacher.
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