Music 222/422/522 –Fall 2011
Professor:
Michael Ericson
Browne Hall D
MB-Ericson@wiu.edu
(309) 298-1686
www.wiu.edu/oboe
Office Hours: To be determined
Required Materials:
1. Etude and Solo Material
2. Reed making materials
3. Tuner and metronome.
Course Objectives:
1. Improve the student's technical facility on the oboe.
2. Improve intonation and tone quality.
3. Improve rhythmic and sight reading abilities.
4. Improve reed making skills.
5. Further develop knowledge of applicable solo, chamber music and
orchestral literature.
Requirements and Grading:
1. Music 222/422/522 consists of one oboe lesson per week for the course of the semester. Students enrolled for 1 credit hour will
receive one half-hour lesson per week. Students enrolled for two or more credit hours will receive one fifty minute lesson per week.
At the end of each semester, the student will play a jury exam for the woodwind faculty. The exam will consist of required scales
and arpeggios as well as a prepared solo or etude. If the student performs a recital during the course of the semester, he/she may
be excused from the jury exam. *At the end of the first semester of the sophomore year, a sight-reading excerpt will
be required of all music majors. Those failing to pass this jury will not be accepted into upper division status.
2. Grading policy. The final grade in Music 222/422/522 is based on the following:
a. 50% - the weekly lesson. All lessons will be graded. One bad lesson or unexcused absence will be allowed. So, in a normal
semester of 15 weeks, the top 14 grades will be considered and averaged. The weekly lesson grade is determined by these factors:
the level of performance and the rate of progress. The performance level is the more important factor.
b. 20% - Studio Class. There will be a scheduled Studio time on Thursdays at 2 PM. Attendance and participation in this class
is mandatory. Class project will be explained at the beginning of the semester.
c. 30% - Jury Performance. The end of semester jury performance will be graded by the woodwind faculty.
3. Attendance policy. Lessons are given once a week. Each student is expected to play every lesson. If a student is unprepared,
a grade of "F" will be given. If the student is ill, out of town on university business, or otherwise legitimately indisposed, a make-up
lesson will be arranged. If the student is unprepared or misses a lesson, no make-up will be given.
4. Practice policy. The amount of time spent practicing for the lesson is reflected in the number of credit hours. For one credit
hour, the student is expected to practice a minimum of 45 minutes per day. For two hours credit, a minimum of one hour of practice
is expected. For four hours credit, a minimum of two hours is expected. Due to problems unique to the oboe, reed making will be
considered as practice time. I would suggest that you schedule your practice time and get in the habit of regular practice.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
http://wiu.edu/provost/students.php
In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 298-2512 for additional services.
Academic Integrity Policy: No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated. Any instance of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade.
http://wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php
General Guidelines:
Recital attendance. You are required to attend any concert or recital performed that includes your colleagues or me. You also
must attend the recitals of any of the woodwind area faculty members. Not only is it important to be supportive, but
you will be exposed to a variety of music and will likely learn something! Listening is critical to your education.
Reed Making. As an oboist, the ability to make or alter a reed is critical. Be sure to incorporate daily reed making time into
your practice sessions. In general, I am more sympathetic to younger students when it comes to reed problems. Work on your
reeds a week ahead of time. Don't wait until the week of an important concert to make something, and – rotate your reeds
when you play, so that they don't wear out so quickly!! Try to have at least 4 or 5 reeds (that play) at all times.
Good luck!
