Instrumental Ensemble (MUSE 101): University

MUSE 101 INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE
2:10-5:00. MWF
Instrumental Rehearsal Hall
Professor Robin Fountain robin.fountain@vanderbilt.edu
Professor Thomas Verrier thomas.verrier@vanderbilt.edu

Instrumental Ensembles at the Blair School of Music:
At the Blair School of Music, a rotation system for instrumental ensembles provides students with a wide range of experiences within a single semester without an exorbitant amount of rehearsal time each week. Orchestra, String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Opera/Oratorio Orchestra, as well as Wind Symphony, Concert Winds, Chamber Winds, and Contemporary Ensemble are rolled into one "instrumental ensemble" course that encompasses the same amount of contact hours per semester as one conventional ensemble. Woodwind, brass, percussion, and string students enroll in one course, MUSE 101: Instrumental Ensemble, which is team-taught by the conductors and has a single syllabus and set of grading criteria. Participation in this course is outlined below.

GOALS

The Instrumental Ensemble Program is designed to work toward four goals:

Development of student's skills as ensemble players, (concentration, listening, instantaneous adjustment, breathing, following the conductor's visual and verbal instructions, retention of information over the span of a rehearsal sequence).

Development of student's professional habits and ethics, (preparation, promptness, mutual support).

Development of student's knowledge of the orchestra repertoire and of a range of appropriate playing styles.

Development of an ensemble whose performances invariably exhibit a very high level of competence and artistry.

GRADING
Grading is designed to encourage students toward these goals. Good grades are not given, but are earned through careful adherence to the following ensemble policies:

Students are expected to attend every rehearsal of every piece for which they have an assigned part.
Students are expected be in the rehearsal space a minimum of five minutes prior to the scheduled rehearsal start time of any piece to which they have been assigned.
Students are expected to concentrate during rehearsals and to support each other's playing.
Students are expected to become familiar - recordings are on reserve in the library- with all assigned material before the first rehearsal of that work.
Students are expected to be fully prepared, (correct pitch, rhythm, tempo, bowing, breathing, good tone) for each work by the assessment date indicated for that work in bold type on the schedule. From that date onward, students may be asked to play alone or in small groups during rehearsal, to determine preparedness. Students requiring individual assistance to assure preparedness should sign up for a scheduled coaching time prior to the assessment date. Students are also encouraged to seek preparation assistance from their instrumental teachers, and/or fellow students (this would in no way violate the VU Honor Code).
Sectionals outside of class time may be determined necessary by section leaders. In such cases it is the responsibility of the section leader to establish a time at which all members are available, and to book a suitable room. It is the responsibility of the section members to attend.
Students are expected to honor the Ensemble Dress Code at all performances

Should the instructor feel that a particular student is inadequately prepared, or failing to adhere to other ensemble policies, the student will be informed immediately via email, and asked to explain why their grade should not be negatively impacted. The student will be given a time period within which to demonstrate full preparedness or policy compliance, for partial restoration of grade level.
Each student will participate in four ensemble segments during the course of the semester, with a grade for each segment assessed by the conductor of that segment. The student's final grade will be an average of these four grades. No M grades can be given for this class.

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE AUDITION INFORMATION

Audition Dates:

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
2-5 PM Freshman and first-time auditioners on woodwinds and brass instruments
5:30-9 PM Candidates for principal players on woodwinds and brass instruments

Thursday, August 27, 2009
6:30-8 PM All percussion (new and returning players)
8:00-8:45 PM All harpists
8:45-10:30 PM Returning woodwinds and brass players (not auditioning for principal player)

Friday, August 28,2009
2-5 PM All violins
2-5 PM All violas, cellos, and basses

Audition signup sheets will be posted on the door of the Instrumental Rehearsal Hall at the Blair School of Music a few days before the auditions begin.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

FLUTE
Beethoven Symphony #4, Mvt. 2, m. 60 - 72
Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals, Voliere, beginning 3 m. after reh. 2
Available in Orchestral Excerpts for Flute, Jean Baxtresser, Presser

OBOE
Rossini L'italiana in Algeri Overture
Tchaikovsky Symphony #4, 2nd. mvt. opening solo
Available in Difficult Passages for Oboe, Rothwell, Boosey and Hawkes

CLARINET
Beethoven Symphony #8, 3rd. mvt trio to D.C.
Rimsky Korsakov Scheherazade, Mvt. 2, rehearsal F - G
Available in Orchestral Excerpts for Clarinet, Mc Ginnis, International

BASSOON
Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite
Beethoven Symphony #9 , 4th Mvt., Ode to Joy obligato, beginning high F# on 4th beat
Available in Difficult and Solo Passages (Bassoon), Stadio, Ricordi

HORN
Tchaikovsky Symphony # 4, excerpt 2
Frank Symphony in D Minor, excerpt 1
Available at Hornexcerpts.org

TRUMPET
Respighi Pines of Rome, Mvt. 2 off-stage solo
Mahler Symphony #5, Mvt. 1, opening solo
for principal candidates only -
Respighi Pines of Rome, Mvt. 4, 2 m. before rehearsal 21 to end
Available in Top 50 Orchestra Excerpts for Trumpet, Norris, Crown Music Press

TENOR TROMBONE
Debussy Nocturnes, Fetes, 18 m. before reh. 14
Saint-Saens Organ Symphony, reh. Q - R
Berlioz Fantastique, March to the Scaffold, rehearsal 56 - 57
available from lawrence.l.borden@Vanderbilt.Edu

BASS TROMBONE
Wagner Seigfried, m. 236 to end of page
Strauss Ein Heldenleben rehearsal 61 - 65
Liszt Les Preludes, Andante Maestoso after Q
available from lawrence.l.borden@Vanderbilt.Edu

TUBA
Wagner Damnation of Faust
Bruckner Symphony #7, rehearsal F - I and P - S
Available in Complete Low Brass Excerpt Collection, Gordon Cherry, Cherry Classics Music

EUPHONIUM
Strauss Ein Heldenleben solo
Holst The Planets, Mvt. 1 solo
Available in Complete Low Brass Excerpt Collection, Gordon Cherry, Cherry Classics Music

PERCUSSION
Timpani-Beethoven Sym. #5 mvmt 3-4 transition meas.359-395 (Goodman Modern Method for Timpani p.78)
Xylophone-Shostakovich Sym. #5 mvmts. 2&3 (Goldenberg Modern School for Xylophone, etc. p. 114)
Snare Drum-Etude II (Goldenberg Modern School for Snare Drum p. 47)

HARP
Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Cadenza
Verdi Forza Del Destino Overture, rehearsal N - end
available in Principal Harp Book 1, Bullen, Vanderbilt Music

SAXOPHONE
Two short contrasting solos of your choice

VIOLIN
Shostakovich Symphony #5, Mvt. 1, opening
Mendelssohn Midsummer Night's Dream, Scherzo, opening
excerpts available for download at
http://www.easternmusicfestival.org/auditionexcerpts.php

VIOLA
Rossini La Gazza Ladra Overture
Brahms Symphony #4, mvt. 2, begin at 32nd. notes
Available in Orchestral Excerpts for the Viola Book 2, Vieland, International

CELLO
Saint-Saens Bacchanale, Samson and Delilah
Tchaikovsky Symphony #6, mvt. 2
excerpts available for download at
http://www.easternmusicfestival.org/auditionexcerpts.php

BASS
Beethoven Symphony #5, Mvt. 3, beginning - 5 m. after A and trio - 23 m. after B
Mahler Symphony #1, Mvt. 3 opening solo
available in Complete Collection of Bass Excerpts, Zimmerman, Cherry Clasics

ENSEMBLE DRESS CODE

Men -- black tux, white tux shirt with wing collar and 1/4 inch pleats, standard sized black bow tie, black studs with gold rims, black socks, black shoes.

Women -- conservative ankle length black dress or black skirt (no slits) and black blouse with long sleeves, black hose, closed-toe black shoes.

SCHEDULE

There are three (3) concert rotations per semester; each rotation is four weeks in length.The scheduled block of time for the course (2:10-5:00 PM-Monday/Wednesday/Friday) is divided into two (2) rehearsal periods, during which two distinct ensembles can rehearse simultaneously (utilizing both the IRH and Turner). Rehearsal periods are as follows:
  Period 1 = 2:20-3:50 PM
  Break
  Period 2 = 4:10-4:55 PMDuring each rotation cycle, there are up to four (4) different "ensembles" rehearsing (see rotation schedule).Every student participates in four (4) of the ensembles per semester.Participation in each ensemble entails a set of services:
Maximum of 12 regular rehearsals + dress rehearsal(s) and performance(s).A student will perform in two different ensembles (making it necessary to attend both Period 1 and 2) during one (and only one) rotation period each semester.
Student placements are assigned by the conductors.

Ensemble Rotation Schedule (2-semester plan)

FALL SEMESTER:		Instrumental Rehearsal Hall	Turner Hall
Rotation #1	Period 1 (2:20-3:50 PM)	Wind Symphony
Rotation #1	Period 2 (4:10-4:55 PM)	Orchestra	Chamber Winds
Rotation #2	Period 1 (2:20-3:50 PM)	Wind Symphony (enlarged)	String Orchestra
Rotation #2	Period 2 (4:10-4:55 PM)	Chamber Orchestra	Wind/Percussion Coaching
Rotation #3	Period 1 (2:20-3:50 PM)	Orchestra	Concert Winds
Rotation #3	Period 2 (4:10-4:55 PM)	Contemporary Ensemble	Opera/Oratorio Orchestra

SPRING SEMESTER:		Instrumental Rehearsal Hall	Turner Hall
Rotation #1	Period 1 (2:20-3:50 PM)	Orchestra	Chamber Winds
Rotation #1	Period 2 (4:10-4:55 PM)	Wind Symphony
Rotation #2	Period 1 (2:20-3:50 PM)	Orchestra	Concert Winds
Rotation #2	Period 2 (4:10-4:55 PM)	Wind Symphony (enlarged)	String Orchestra
Rotation #3	Period 1 (2:20-3:50 PM)	Orchestra (enlarged winds)
Rotation #3	Period 2 (4:10-4:55 PM)	Concert Winds	Contemporary Ensemble

Below is a complete list of the ensembles encompassed in the rotation plan of MUSE 101:

ORCHESTRAS:

The Vanderbilt Orchestra focuses on the highest quality performance of the great classical and romantic orchestra repertoire. Students become immersed in the stylistic demands of particular composers and periods, while honing their skills as ensemble players.

The Vanderbilt Chamber Orchestra is a highly select ensemble comprised of the finest instrumentalists at Vanderbilt University. It prepares and performs a very demanding repertoire drawn eclectically from a wide range of periods and styles.

The Vanderbilt String Orchestra explores the rich treasury of compositions for strings alone, and allows a period for exclusive concentration on questions pertaining to string ensemble playing.

The Vanderbilt Opera/Oratorio Orchestra provides an opportunity for students to learn the important art of vocal accompaniment through collaboration with the Vocal Department in Vanderbilt opera and oratorio productions.

WIND ENSEMBLES:

The Vanderbilt Wind Symphony is the premier wind performing group at Vanderbilt University and includes the most outstanding woodwind, brass, and percussion students in the School of Music. The group is dedicated to the performance of the finest wind repertoire, and its mission is to stimulate musical growth and provide advanced study opportunities for student musicians.

The Vanderbilt Concert Winds focus not only on preparing concerts, but on the musical growth and development of each individual in the ensemble. This group provides a foundation in wind and percussion pedagogy, performance practice, and repertoire. Exploring traditional and contemporary works for winds, students are provided the opportunity to share in the rewards of the creative process as they broaden their musical experiences.

The Vanderbilt Chamber Winds is a select ensemble that is flexible in size, consisting of a variety of instruments. Exploring repertoire both traditional and contemporary, this ensemble is dedicated to raising the collective consciousness of player and audience to the importance and diversity of chamber music.

ADDITIONAL GROUPS:

The Vanderbilt Contemporary Ensemble is a group of flexible size and instrumentation dedicated to the cultivation of the skills and experience necessary to perform the music of today with confidence and verve.

The Wind/Percussion Coaching is to strengthen ensemble skills without the pressure of preparing a performance. Session topics include: Listening across the ensemble, Building "inner pulse," Balancing and tuning techniques, Elements of style and performance practice, Concepts of phrasing with shape and nuance, Successful approaches to sight reading, Learning technique with a musical intent, and Strategies for the successful rehearser. An alternate meeting time (TBA) is arranged for marching band students.