MUSED 442 - Instrumental Methods & Materials

As instrumental music teachers, our programs are often in the spotlight of public attention, opinion and expectations. The combination of teaching, performing and serving is a delicate balancing act that is often unique to music educators. Though the structure of programs may differ from school to school, instrumental music teaching requires attention to musical, social and organizational goals.

Specifically, during this course, you will:

Investigate organizational and support structures of school instrumental music programs;
Review and evaluate literature appropriate for use in a variety of school ensembles;
Practice teaching techniques applicable to the ensemble setting;
Prepare instrumental scores for instructional contexts;
Develop an identity as an instrumental music educator through teacher-student interactions with school ensembles and collegial interactions with other music teachers.

Required Materials

There is no required text for this class. However, each student is required to purchase a set of 5 scores and 1 warm-up collection. The cost of this packet is $65.45 payable by cash or check (made out to “Husky Band”). All readings required for this course will be available electronically. Links are available on the class schedule page.

Other required materials:

Conducting baton
Portable music stand (due 16 April)

General Expectations

This is an interactive, experience-based course. Learning can only happen if you are present and prepared for the class meetings. Participation and preparation is a significant part of your grade.

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class meeting on the due date. Late assignments will receive a 1-point deduction for each calendar day late beginning at the end of the class period. Absence is not an excuse. Late assignments will be considered turned in when:

It is personally accepted by the instructor, OR
It is received and dated via fax (206-616-2194), OR
It is received by the instructor via e-mail (where appropriate)

Assignments left in the instructor's mailbox will be considered turned in when collected. It is a good idea to retain a copy of every assignment you turn in.

Every item you produce should reflect the highest level of professionalism. All written assignments should be typed/word-processed and checked thoroughly for spelling, grammatical and structural errors. Notated musical materials should be in the neatest of manuscript or generated by a notation program. Assignments not meeting a high standard of presentation will be returned for revision and re-submission. Poorly presented assignments reflect inadequate preparation and will affect your grade.

Grading Policy

Final grades in this course are determined by the final total of points earned on all assignments, exams, participation and preparation. The following scale shows the minimum number of points required to earn the given landmark grades. Other grades not shown (i.e., 3.9 or 2.7) will also be calculated using this scale.

4.0 = 96 - 100 points
3.5 = 90.5 points
3.0 = 85 points
2.5 = 79.5 points
2.0 = 74 points (minimum grade to fulfill Music Education requirement)
1.5 = 68.5 points
1.0 = 63 points
0.7 = 60 points
0.0 = < 60 points

Details regarding the value of each specific assignment are given on the Assignments page.

Follow this link for information on the general UW grading system.

Updated 5 May 08

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