Horn Studio Lesson Syllabus
August 14, 2007
• Objective: To increase your understanding of the fundamentals and repertoire for the horn while propelling you towards a higher level of performance.
• General Horn Studio and Departmental Requirements:
• Follow the Music Department Guidelines, the Course Syllabus, and these additional notes.
• Concerts & Recital: In addition to the Department of Music attendance policies, attendance at any on-campus solo or chamber music recital/concert involving a member of this studio, guest hornist, or Professor Rubins will be mandatory. Non-attendance without prior approval will cause the final lesson grade component to be lowered one letter.
• Decorum: Consider your presentation in the context of the professional that you aspire to become. This will include but is not limited to turning off cell phones and pagers to prevent interruptions. Failure to follow decorum policies will result in consequences ranging from warnings to grade reduction or removal from the course.
• Written assignments : May be a component of the Horn Studio grade.
• Weekly Lesson Requirements:
• Practice specifically for lessons 60 minutes every day as a minimum, or as instructed otherwise.
• Listening Assignments: These may be mentioned through lessons, email, or phone.
• Musical Equipment: All students must own appropriate instrument lubricants, brushes, mutes, and a metronome. Students using a school-owned horn who are negligent in their care of that horn will have their final course grade lowered.
• Lesson Materials: The student will be required to purchase music, supplies and software the instructor deems appropriate whenever the instructor feels it is necessary. Students will be informed of specific items to purchase.
• Lesson Attendance: Students are required to arrive at lessons punctually and with all related materials.
• No unexcused student absence is allowed. Each unexcused student absence will lower the final course grade one letter. Also, as per the student handbook, if a student misses four private lessons, they can either withdraw or they will automatically receive an F. An unexcused student absence will not result in a rescheduled lesson.
• A student who is late for a lesson should make every effort to attend the remainder of the lesson. Each time the student is late will equate to one third (1/3) of an unexcused absence. Student lateness will lower the final course grade when there are three or more occurrences.
• An excused student absence may be rescheduled at the instructors' convenience.
• Three student absences of any kind may lower the grade.
• The instructor will make every effort to keep to his weekly schedule, but in the event that circumstances necessitate an alteration in lesson times, the instructor may reschedule lessons at his convenience.
• Grading: Each weekly lesson throughout the semester will be graded on the following criteria:
• completion of earlier work
• comprehension of new concepts
• willingness to learn
• Resources:
• http://boerger.org/horn : Horn Players' FAQ. A remarkable resource.
• http://www.embouchures.com : Embouchure website
Accompaniment software & files:
• http://www.smartmusic.com : Interactive solo accompaniments and more.
• http://www.hornmidi.com : Midi sound files of horn accompaniments.
• http://www.good-ear.com : free web ear training
• http://www.musictheory.net/trainers.html : free web ear training & theory
• http://fastrabbitsoftware.com/eartraining.htm
• http://www.risingsoftware.com/
• http://ucat.utsa.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First : UTSA library. Search for 'horn" and search by "LC Subject heading"
• http://www.saplweb.sat.lib.tx.us/ : San Antonio Public Library
• http://lib.utsa.edu/Catalogs/index.html : Other libraries
Listen to orchestral horn excerpts:
• http://www.hornexcerpts.org : Horn repertoire excerpts. High speed connection suggested.
Purchase instruments and supplies:
• http://www.hornplayer.net : Used horns.
• http://www.dillonmusic.com : Equipment & supplies.
• http://www.music123.com : Equipment & spplies.
• http://phonebook.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Musical+Instruments/S-TX/T-San+Antonio : Equipment & supplies.
• High School Music Service Inc : Equipment & supplies. San Antonio. (210) 349-2775
http://www.brookmays.com/stores.asp?region=TX : Equipment & supplies. San Antonio.
Purchase professional quality mutes:
• Straight mutes
• Balu http://www.ionbalu.com
• Lewis (sold direct and through various sources including Osmun)
• Rittich (sold direct from Eugene Rittich)
• Stopping mutes
• Alexander (sold through various sources including www.osmun.com )
• Tom Crown (sold through various sources including www.musiciansfriend.com )
• http://www.southernmusic.com : San Antonio business.
• http://www.rbcmusic.com : San Antonio business.
• http://www.rkingmusic.com : best selection of brass music. Online catalog.
• http://www.sheetmusicplus.com :
• http://www.cdsheetmusic.com/ :
• Purchase music (orchestral parts):
• http://www.hornplanet.com/store/thompson.asp : Complete parts for all auditions.
• http://www.orchmusiclibrary.com : Orchestral parts on CD's.
• http://www.lucksmusic.net/ :