MUSP 241: Chamber Music IV

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 4
Total Contact Hours: 144
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 108
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: MUSP 240 or Audition.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

The study and performance of advanced 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 an advanced 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 advanced level (Grade 5) 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 advanced level (Grade 5) historical and contemporary chamber winds literature.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of advanced 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. Organization of class into chamber ensembles
  3. Review of professional rehearsal and performance etiquette for chamber ensembles
  4. Review of the concept of characteristic tone and the development of advanced tone production techniques
  5. Introduction to and development of advanced level intonation adjustment techniques
  6. Introduction to and development of advanced level articulation techniques
  7. Introduction to and development of advanced level technical velocity development strategies
  8. Introduction to advanced level chamber winds literature notation terminology
  9. Introduction to and development of an advanced level personal practice regimen
  10. Review of the concert key concept for all transposing instruments and review of the interrelations between C, Bb, A, Eb, F, G and C-octavation instruments
  11. Introduction to advanced level musical rhythm concepts
  12. Introduction to advanced level chamber ensemble balance and blend concepts
  13. Introduction to and development of advanced level phrasing, expression and dynamics techniques
  14. Introduction to and development of advanced level sight-reading skills
  15. Ongoing presentation of the historical, cultural, stylistic, theoretical, interactional, structural and formal elements of the advanced level (Grade 5) chamber winds literature to be rehearsed and performed
  16. Review of the standard categories, instruments and procedures of advanced level (Grade 5) chamber winds performance evaluation
  17. Preparation, presentation and recording of advanced level (Grade 5) 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. In addition to lecture led portion of ensemble rehearsals, assigned chamber winds ensembles meet weekly 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 assigned 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)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab