MUSP 140: Chamber Winds I

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Spring 2022
Credits: 4
Total Contact Hours: 144
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 108
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: Skills assessment or audition.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

The study and performance of beginning instrumental chamber wind literature. Students will be organized into various chamber music ensembles to prepare, perform and record assigned literature. 36 lecture hours, 108 lab hours arranged.

Course Objectives

  • Play their chosen instrument at a beginning level as evidenced by their achievement and control of tone production, articulation, intonation, velocity, rhythmic projection, dynamics, expression and appropriate style.
  • Translate the music notation of beginning level (Grade 2) chamber winds literature consisting of clef, key signature, linear and harmonic note designation, meter, rhythmic subdivision (counting), dynamics (loudness level and variation), articulation, form, phrasing interpretation, and terminology.
  • Sight-read beginning level (Grade 2) historical and contemporary chamber winds literature.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of beginning level concepts of small instrumental ensemble blend and balance, intonation anticipation and adjustment, style and articulation interpretation, and music theory applications to small instrumental ensemble performance.

Major Course Content

  1. Assessment of individual students' entry instrumental proficiency
  2. Introduction to chamber winds music- especially its distinguishing characteristics from large instrumental ensemble music
  3. Organization of class into chamber ensembles
  4. Introduction to professional rehearsal and performance etiquette for chamber ensembles
  5. Introduction to the concept of characteristic tone and the development of tone production techniques
  6. Introduction to and development of beginning level intonation adjustment techniques
  7. Introduction to and development of beginning level articulation techniques
  8. Introduction to and development of beginning level technical velocity development strategies
  9. Introduction to beginning level chamber winds literature notation terminology
  10. Introduction to and development of a beginning level personal practice regimen
  11. Introduction to concert key concepts for C, Bb, Eb, F and C-octavation instruments.
  12. Introduction to beginning level musical rhythm concepts
  13. Introduction to beginning level chamber ensemble balance and blend concepts
  14. Introduction to and development of beginning level phrasing, expression and dynamics techniques
  15. Introduction to and development of beginning level sight-reading skills
  16. Ongoing presentation of the historical, cultural, stylistic, theoretical, interactional, structural and formal elements of the beginning level (Grade 2) chamber winds literature to be rehearsed and performed
  17. Review of the standard categories, instruments and procedures of beginning level (Grade 2) chamber winds performance evaluation
  18. Preparation, presentation and recording of beginning level (Grade 2) chamber winds literature focusing on the students' performance proficiency on their soloistic individual parts and their interaction with the other soloistic parts that is a distinguishing characteristic of the genre

Hours Arranged Content

  1. Weekly arranged sessions of the chamber winds ensembles are scheduled to review, develop and assess:
    1. Tone production techniques
    2. Intonation adjustment techniques
    3. Articulation techniques
    4. Technical velocity and tone flexibility skills
    5. Musical rhythm reading skills
    6. Musical rhythm execution and precision
    7. Phrasing, expression and dynamics techniques
    8. Individual, instrument combination and ensemble balance and blend
    9. Concert key transposition skills
    10. Observe and evaluate live and recorded chamber winds ensemble performances
    11. Prepare chamber winds ensemble literature for recording sessions and public performance
  2. Additional ensemble rehearsals are arranged, especially during the weeks approaching performances, recitals and recording sessions.
  3. Public performances and recitals, including outreach field trip performances, are scheduled.
  4. Recording sessions are arranged. Recording studio use is coordinated with studio availability.

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Internet and/or library research (composer; historical era; stylistic, structural and formal elements; etc.) including listening, of chamber winds literature rehearsed and performed.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

1. Written evaluation of live and recorded chamber winds ensembles performances using standard music adjudication forms.
2. Essays evaluating live and recorded chamber winds ensembles performances.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Students will be required to complete the following types of assignments outside of the regular class time:
Study individual parts Study reference recordings Practice skills

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture, Online Education Lab, Online Education Lecture