Department or Program: Music

Course Number: 247

Number of Credits 1 S.H.

Course Title: Woodwind Ensemble

Catalog Description:

Woodwind Ensemble provides the student with the opportunity to perform small ensemble and chamber music for woodwind instruments. Each section offers a different option for instrumentation. Ensembles offered might vary from semester to semester but generally include clarinet choir, saxophone quartet, and flute choir among others. Repertory is selected to acquaint the student with representative literature from all periods. Membership is open to all qualified students of the university. Prerequisite: audition and permission of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit.

This is an existing course that has previously been approved by A2C2: Yes

Department Contact Person for this Course: James Hoch (Cathy Schmidt while Dr. Hoch is on Sabbatical, Spring 2001)

Email: jhoch@winona.edu; cschmidt@winona.edu

USP Outcome a: explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline.

In this course the students explore the language, skills, and materials of music through developing intonation and aural skills, rhythmic skills, technical skills on their respective instruments, and music sight reading skills. Students begin to know woodwind ensemble repertoire representing a variety of styles and improve their performance skills on a woodwind instrument in a small ensemble setting.

USP Outcome b: use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretive performances.

In each Woodwind Ensemble, students are actively engaged in interpretive performances of varied repertoire in rehearsal and performance. Students explore the processes through which a performer interprets or expresses a composer's work.

USP Outcome c: understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression.

Students in this ensemble explore the cultural and gender aspects of musical expression through the performance of works by women composers and by male composers of diverse cultural and regional backgrounds. Background information regarding these composers and the cultural contexts of the music are discussed within a rehearsal context.

USP Outcome d: engage in reflective analysis of their own artwork or interpretive performance and respond to the works of others.

Members of woodwind ensembles will have the opportunity to listen to recordings of their performances on recitals and reflectively analyze their interpretation and expressiveness in discussion within the ensemble rehearsal setting.

Department: Music Date of Revision: Spring 2001

Course Number: MUS 247 Course Title: Woodwind Ensemble

Number of Credits: 1 S.H. Frequency of Offering: offered each semester

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor; audition

Grading: Grade only.

Course applies to: Fine and Performing Arts University Studies Requirements

Woodwind Ensemble provides the student with the opportunity to perform small ensemble and chamber music for woodwind instruments. Each section offers a different option for instrumentation. Ensembles offered may vary from semester to semester but generally include clarinet choir, saxophone quartet, and flute choir among others. Repertory is selected to acquaint the student with representative literature from all periods. Membership is open to all qualified students of the university. Prerequisite: audition and permission of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit. This course may be applied toward the Fine and Performing Arts University Studies Program Requirements.

This course fulfills the requirements for the Fine and Performing Arts category of the University Studies Program by including learning activities that promote students' abilities to:

a. explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline;

b. use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretive performances;

c. understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression; and

d. engage in reflective analysis of their own art work or interpretive performance.

3. Course outline of the major topics and subtopics: (letters in parentheses refer to the University Studies Program Fine and Performing Arts Outcomes listed above.)

1. Improving intonation and aural skills (a, b, d).

2. Developing positive ways to interact with others in creating a final musical product (a, c, d).

3. Improving rhythm skills (a, b, d).

4. Improving technical skills required of the individual instruments (a, b).

5. Learning and practicing effective rehearsal techniques (a, b, d).

6. Improving sight reading ability (a, b).

7. Understanding the cultural, gender, and historical contexts of works performed (c).

8. Engaging in reflective analysis of the ensemble's performance (d).

One rehearsal per week; 1 to 2 performances per semester on noon or evening recitals.

5. Course requirements (papers, lab work, projects, etc.) and means of evaluation.

Course requirements:

Attendance at all rehearsals and performances.

Outside practice of ensemble repertoire.

 

Evaluation will be based upon:

Attendance and Participation.

Adequate preparation of ensemble repertoire.

Participation in discussions during rehearsals indicative of reflective analysis of performance and understanding of the cultural, historic, and gender contexts of the works performed.