APPLIED CLARINET – COURSE SYLLABUS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN – BUTLER SCHOOL OF MUSIC
2021-2022
(210, 260, 312, 362, 480, 290, 490)
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Jonathan Gunn
OFFICE: MRH 5.278
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment
CONTACT INFORMATION:
jgunn@austin.utexas.edu
(260) 341-1542 (cell)
(512) 471-0757 (studio)
STUDIO CLASSES: Tuesdays, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. MRH 2.614
GRADUATE TA’s: Abbey Young (AI) –abbeyyoung29@gmail.com
(814) 470-3624
Jiyeon Lim (TA) – Jycla92@gmail.com
(737) 226-4479
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To develop comprehensive musical skills on the clarinet in the areas of fundamentals, musicianship, technical skills, practice technique, and performance. Students will develop musical skills, technical proficiency, solid intonation, and sound concept through the study of technical exercises, etudes, orchestral excerpts, and solo literature. Among others, this course will address the areas of rhythm, intonation, tone, technique, breathing, articulation, embouchure, hand position, general body position, listening, aural skills, phrasing, musical/historical context, performance related challenges, psychological preparation for performances and auditions, practice techniques, and reed adjustment.
GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
- Attend all private lessons.
- Attend all Clarinet Studio Classes.
- Each undergraduate student is required to perform in studio class at least once per semester as assigned by the instructor, AI, or TA.
- Demonstrate preparation and progress in lessons and studio classes based on goals and assignments set each semester and each week by the instructor.
- Attend all clarinet faculty, student, and guest artist classes and recitals.
- Perform, as assigned, in Guest Masterclasses
- All undergraduate and MM students will be required to take a scale test each semester (see scale requirements below.)
- All Freshmen and Sophomores will attend a scale/technique class taught by the AI or TA.
- Juries and Recitals as required as part of individual degree programs. Additional Juries and/or Recitals may be assigned by Professor Gunn.
- Participate in large ensembles unless excused by Professor Gunn.
I. LESSONS:
Lessons are 50 minutes, and students should expect to receive a minimum of 13 per semester.
Lessons will be graded on preparation and progress based on the individual student’s year and degree program.
If an acceptable conflict arises with lesson times, please try to make arrangements to switch with one of your colleagues and notify Professor Gunn or the TA. Alternately, please contact the Teaching Assistant to make scheduling arrangements. Acceptable reasons for rescheduling include illness, emergencies, or other pre-arranged cases on an individual basis. Please do this no less than 24 hours in advance. Any scheduling conflicts or cancellations with less than 24 hours notice may not be made up.
Any unexcused absence will result in the lowering of the overall final grade by one half letter. Three unexcused absences will result in the failure of the course.
Students may observe other lessons provided it is acceptable to the student who is having the lesson.
Every attempt to keep lesson times relatively consistent will be made, but be aware that Professor Gunn’s performance and masterclass schedule will necessitate occasional rescheduling and flexibility by the student.
Depending on the total number of clarinet students, it may be necessary for some students to take some or all lessons with the Assistant Instructor or Teaching Assistant as assigned by Professor Gunn.
II. STUDIO CLASS
Studio class will meet on Tuesdays from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. in 2.614. Attendance at studio class is required and will be counted in the lesson attendance policy described above. Undergraduates students are required to perform in the Studio Class at least once per semester. Oral presentations may also be required.
III. SCALE REQUIREMENTS:
Major and Melodic Minor scales in the flowing forms:
- Linear
- Broken Chords
- Thirds
Begin and end each scale on the tonic, encompassing the full range of the instrument (up to, but not past high G required.) To be played in 16thnotes. Professor Gunn will provide scales in these forms. Variations of these may be played as long as the basic rules are followed and the entire range is covered.
Memorization is required for all students except Freshmen.
Tempo Requirements:
- Freshmen ♩=80
- Sophomores ♩=88
- Juniors ♩=96
- Seniors ♩=112
- Masters ♩=120
IV. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS
- Instruments: Every student must have a Bb clarinet that is in good working order. It is highly recommended that all students also own an A clarinet. Repairs and the purchase of reeds on a regular basis are the student’s responsibility.
- Music: Every student is expected to purchase the music they study. Photocopies are to be used only on a temporary basis while waiting for purchased music. Published parts checked out from the library are also acceptable, however, it is recommended that now is a good time to begin to collect a library of purchased parts.
- Lesson Notebook/Journal: For taking notes on the lesson, writing down lesson assignments, and keeping a practice log. BRING YOUR NOTEBOOK TO EVERY LESSON.
- Tuner and Metronome
GRADING
Lessons (80%)
Scale Test Juries (10%) When no Scale Test is required, this 10% is part of the lesson grade
Studio Class/Guest Masterclass Performance and Participation (10%)
Juries, when required, will be averaged with the lesson grade 50%/50%
Some criteria to consider for grading are listed below, but be aware that grading an applied instrument is very subjective by nature, and your time and commitment to practicing and improving on the clarinet will be the most important element.
- quality of preparation
- consistency of preparation
- consistency of progress
- literature and technical material covered
- quality of performances
- attitude
ATTENDANCE
Attendance at all of the following is REQUIRED:
• Lessons
• Studio Class
• Guess masterclasses
• Student recitals
• Professor Gunn’s recitals
• Guest recitals
• Scale/Technique class (if required)
If there is an acceptable reason for missing any of these events, it is your responsibility
to REQUEST to be excused. A request can be submitted by emailing Professor Gunn and
the TA no less than 24 hours prior to the event. In the case of an emergency, please
contact Professor Gunn and the TA as soon as possible.
Any unexcused absence will result in the lowering of the overall final grade by one half
letter. Three unexcused absences will result in the failure of the course.
OTHER ITEMS:
TURN OFF CELL PHONES
If your cell phone rings during your lessons or during studio class, you may be dismissed from your lesson or class that week.
RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
When requesting a recommendation letter from Professor Gunn, please give AT LEAST 2 weeks notice (preferably more.) Otherwise, the answer may be “no.”
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS – POLICIES AND NOTICES
- CAMPUS CARRY
All clarinet students will be given oral notice that firearms will not be permitted in Professor Gunn’s office and will be asked to sign a document stating that oral notice was given.
For information regarding UT’s Campus Carry policy:
https://campuscarry.utexas.edu
- Students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 512-471-6259.
http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/
- The UT Honor Code (or statement of ethics) and an explanation or example of what constitutes plagiarism can be found at:
http://catalog.utexas.edu/general-information/the-university/#universitycodeofconduct)
- By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.
- Recommendations regarding emergency evacuation from the Office of Campus Safety and Security, 512-471-5767
- Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside.
- Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building.
- Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class.
- In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors.
- Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.
- Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL): 512-232-5050
- Link to information regarding emergency evacuation routes and emergency procedures can be found at edu/emergency.
TESTING MANDATE AND COVID-19 INFORMATION
This course involves physical proximity and exertion or the removal of masks to perform vocal exercises, sing or play wind instruments. Because of the increased level of risk, this represents to the classroom community, a weekly cadence of COVID-19 testing will be required through the university’s Activity Pass feature in the Protect Texas Together App. In order to participate in this course, students will be required to present the Activity Pass to the instructor or teaching assistant upon entry into the classroom or rehearsal space daily. Students who attend class without following these procedures will not be permitted to participate and will be marked absent. The pass will be required after September 16, and we strongly encourage students to participate in weekly testing before then.
Additionally, all students are strongly encouraged to get the COVID-19 Vaccine. Vaccinations are widely available, free, and not billed to health insurance. The vaccine will help protect against the transmission of the virus to others and reduce serious symptoms in those who are vaccinated.
Using the Protect Texas App and Activity Pass to Manage Testing
A “cleared” designation (green check) in your Activity Pass allows you students to attend university-related classes, rehearsals, or performances where a negative COVID-19 test is required for the person to be cleared for the activity or class. To begin this process:
- Download the Protect Texas Together App.
- Schedule an appointment for Proactive Community Testing (PCT) on campus through the Protect Texas Together App or through the University Health Services website. This test is for asymptomatic individuals.
- Take the PCT test, and sign the Activity Pass consent form in the Protect Texas Together App.
- When your result becomes available in the MyUHS portal, your Activity Pass will be updated with your clearance designation. If the virus is not detected, your “cleared” designation will be valid, and you are cleared to participate in your activity or class.
- Students may either take for the saliva test weekly (offered by UHS from 9 AM–noon) or take the nasal swab every 4 days (available all hours of operation by UHS) to maintain their clearance. If a student chooses the nasal swab option, we recommend testing Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays to avoid the clearance timing out over the weekend.
- UHS is scaling up testing capacity, but students may not be able to obtain same-day or walk-up appointments for tests. We recommend that students schedule their PCT test at least three days before they need the test.
What if I have been exposed to COVID-19 or I am experiencing symptoms?
If you believe that you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, follow the guidance provided by UHS and do not attend any course meetings. Please inform your instructor that you are unable to attend a course meeting, lesson, or rehearsal (you are not required to disclose your COVID status if you do not wish to).
If you have received a positive COVID-19 test from an agency outside the University, please report your test result to UHS to protect your fellow students and initiate contact tracing. Privacy and confidentiality will be maintained.
If you do not need to remove your mask to participate in this course, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask during class/rehearsal. Currently, health experts recommend masking for all vaccinated and unvaccinated people indoors in Austin.