Detailed syllabus and requirements for the clarinet studio are available to all clarinet students registered for lessons. To access course content for studio lessons login to Vista.

In order to give prospective students an idea of some of the objectives, expectations, and requirements for students in the clarinet studio, excerpts from the "Clarinet Studio Syllabus" are listed below:

Objectives

There are many goals I want you to work towards and accomplish during your time at NAU. Most importantly, I want you to develop and learn exceptional clarinet fundamentals and scholarship as well as a solid and creative musical intuition. By the time you have finished your formal studies with me, I hope you will have become an artist with a creative product that is individual, well formed, and exquisite.

I teach playing concepts and tools for mastering the clarinet so that you fully engage in the kinesthetic process of clarinet playing. The best way to improve as a musician and teacher is to approach each aspect of performing as a "self-taught" lesson. This enables you to reach solid conclusions about the proper approach to playing the clarinet as well as developing your pedagogical tools; thus, improving your own skills as well as effectively and efficiently discussing, executing, and eventually teaching the clarinet. This deeper level of awareness about each element of playing a musical instrument not only enables you to improve, it also gives you an insight into how you would teach others. Whether you pursue a performance degree or an education degree, you will likely be called upon to teach. This will help you to continue to improve after you have completed your formal study with me and you will become a significant pedagogue in your own right.

Because we are all individuals, each of us learns differently. My method of teaching differs from student to student. It is my job to "customize" lessons to your learning style; try to get the best results depending on your ability, personality, and learning process. In light of this, I expect a dialog between us. Once I decipher the most effective way of learning for you, I can teach more efficiently and you will progress faster. An active dialogue between us will enable you then to think about the particular choices you make while you practice and perform. While there will be a minimum level of basic repertoire, technical studies, and musical concepts for all the students in the studio, I do not teach as though "one-size-fits-all."

Please note that these are minimum requirements - many music majors cover much more material for the completion of their degree.

As music majors you are expected to practice a minimum of 2-3 hours a day on average. I expect you to dedicate time to your art and try your best. Trying your best means preparing ahead of time, completing the assignments I have given you, and putting thought into your lessons and performing.

Method & Etude Books

Repertoire

Equipment

Weekly Lesson Grade

Every clarinet lesson will get a grade. Click here to download the Weekly Lesson Rubric – Clarinet Lesson for criteria and parameters on grading.

Jury Grade

Your jury will be graded and will be part of the semester grade. Click here to download the "Jury Rubric – Repertoire Jury" and here to download the "Jury Rubric for Upper Divisional Jury" for criteria and parameters on jury grading.

Recital Grade

Required degree recitals will also be braded and part of your semester grade. Click here to download the "Recital Rubric" for criteria and parameters on grading.

The total number of possible points for each semester’s grade will be approximately 1500-1600, depending on the number of lesson you have during the semester and other requirements. Your total earned points for the semester is taken from all these rubrics and divided into the total possible points for the semester to calculate your grade for the semester. The standard grading scale used at NAU will be used for your letter grade.