University of North Carolina at Greensboro
School of Music
Performance Study: Tuba and Euphonium

Dr. Dennis AsKew
303 Music Building

If you are borrowing a University-owned instrument please note the following: Failure to return or re-check out University-owned property used in conjunction with or related to this course in a timely manner will result in a grade of "INCOMPLETE" until such property is properly returned or checked out.

The performance studies program in tuba or euphonium at UNCG is open to performance majors, music education majors, BA music majors, music minors and students who wish to study tuba or euphonium as a secondary instrument. Music majors must first audition for the brass faculty in order to enroll in lessons which end in the number 1 (ex. 151). A number indicating level is assigned for study each semester; the level 151 indicates study as a first year student, while 751 indicates the doctoral level. A tuba or euphonium student will register for 1, 2, or 3 semester hours as required by a particular course of study. A non-music major must register for a course ending in 2 (ex. 152); one or two credits may be elected.

Grading Policy

Grades for performance study are calculated upon a wide grouping of tasks which occur throughout the semester. These include, but are not limited to, individual lessons, recital attendance, Repertoire class, jury examination and written assignments.

Private lessons are the fundamental basis of performance study. Grades for each lesson will be given. In a normal semester, a minimum of 14 lessons will be provided. Habitual absence will result in the student being dropped from the course. Missed lessons can be rescheduled, providing the absence is excused, and a convenient time can be identified. Although a specific lesson time is assigned at the beginning of each semester, a student should expect that lessons might need to be re-arranged periodically to compensate for the instructor’s performing schedule, professional conferences, etc. Likewise, consideration is given to the make up of student lessons missed for similar reasons.

The individual lessons will be graded as follows: (thanks, DZ)

Grade of “A” You are prepared. You are performing the music with technical expertise, and artistic insight. Questions are thought out, and any writing assignments are complete.

Grade of “B” You are relatively prepared. Technically, the music is free of major problems; artistically it still needs work. Any writing assignments are complete. You know you can do better.

Grade of “C” You are not really prepared. Missed rhythms, dynamics, pitches, etc; no sense of artistic thought. No improvement shown.

Grade of “F” No amount of encouragement on my part can help you, (are you sure you looked at the instrument over the last 7 days?). Or, simply, you didn’t show up, with no notice given.

Practice

It is expected that for each credit of lesson you are enrolled, you will practice one hour per day: 3 credits = 3 hours per day/21 per week; 2 credits = 2 hours per day/14 per week; 1 credit = 1 hour per day/7 per week. Inadequate practice is obvious in lessons, and will reduce progress and grade.

Other Considerations

An integral part of learning to perform is listening to others perform. For grading purposes, a minimum of 10 recitals per semester must be attended; these may be virtually any type of recital, however attendance at all brass related recitals is required. This may, in fact, result in attendance at more than 10 recitals.

All euphonium and tuba majors are required to maintain membership in ITEA.

Repertoire Class meets each Monday at 4:00 pm. Attendance is required.

At the end of each semester, a jury examination will take place. These will be normally be scheduled on Reading Day. Normally, a “jury” consists of a prepared work, scales, performance of previously learned material, and sight reading.

Each student should plan to purchase new music each semester, have a working metronome, tuner, breathing bag, and a portable recording device; those using university instruments must own their own mouthpiece (size, etc. to be discussed with instructor).  In addition, most students will find that the purchase of one or more breathing aids will help with the training of the body to breathe properly.

TUBABAND

The UNCG TUBABAND has become one of the mainstays of the southeastern low brass ensembles.  Each year the TUBABAND hosts and performs at the annual Octubafest, the annual TubaChristmas, the Greensboro Festival of Lights, and presents numerous other concerts.  Most years some contingent of the group performs at the SouthEastern Tuba/Euphonium Conference, as well as other conferences.  All members of the studio are invited to perform with the group, and are encouraged to take the class as often as possible.  Meeting time is usually MW, 2 p.m.

Advancement Policies (undergraduate)

The levels of private lessons are designed for personal advancement, not necessarily to coincide with academic level changes. To this end, the following requirements have been established as guidelines:

To advance from 151-251: Successful work in Arban’s Complete Method, Bordogni or other “melodious” etude books, and work in Tyrell, or other “technical” etude books; Major and minor scales; appropriate sight reading; appropriate solos; for euphoniums, knowledge of bass clef.

To advance from 251-351: Successful work through Arban, and other methods listed above; all major scales in rotating patterns; advanced techniques, including multiple tonguing, and registral work; appropriate sight reading/for euphonium in treble and bass clefs; appropriate band and orchestral excerpts.

To advance from 351-451 and graduate levels: as appropriate with recital repertoire.