Klarinet Archive - Posting 001336.txt from 2000/10

From: "Patricia Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] A curricular issue
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 19:31:24 -0400

I might add a small snippet to what is being said here along the lines of
what is expect of students on their major instruments.
It is much easier to gain an understanding of a school of music if I can
look at the curriculum I will be studying and, in addition to proposed
courses I will have to have completed at certain times, etc., I will also
have to have accomplished study of a core of required literature and other
works for my major instrument, with certain pieces required as studied and
passed at minimum proficiency at certain intervals. In most University
schools of music in the U.S., it just isn't there. Applied music study and
the structure of lessons is left up to applied teachers. And, frankly,
everyone loses. Students should be expected to be able to perform
particular pieces of music at a certain juncture in their college careers as
a minimum requirement. Not for competition purposes, as much as for their
complete education in music, to be familiar with the literature for their
instrument, and for band, orchestra and chamber music. If a school has a
curricular guideline for applied study along every step of the way, it makes
it easier to weed out those who do not meet minimum standards, some the very
first year, some later down the road. Such standards are certainly more
objective than the opinion of one teacher or another, because teacher
opinions do differ (at least such standards would make the differences of
opinion smaller).

Patty Smith

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