Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Individual Applied Music Instruction (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 2400-31

Course: MUSC 2400-31
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 31836

Course Description

Private lessons in vocal or instrumental music. Twelve 25-minute lessons. Fee required. Must have a grade of “B” or higher in two (2) credits of MUSC 1400. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): MUSC 1400 and instructor permission - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Number of Times: 1 Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

·       Repertoire, Scale, and Etude Books as assigned. You must purchase your music if it is not included in the instructor’s SUU Google Drive.
·       Metronome
·       Supplies as needed (strings, rosin, etc.)

Learning Outcomes

  1. Increased ability to practice efficiently.
  2. Develop a clear goal for practicing and knowledge of the core cello repertoire and the history of our instrument.
  3. Demonstrate understanding and accuracy in rhythm, intonation, timber/tone color and ability to sight-read.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to project sound as a solo instrument vs. the style of playing in chamber groups.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of playing techniques from different time periods.
  6. Critical thinking, creativity, and individuality: come up with own opinions on bowings, fingerings, phrasing and can communicate ideas effectively to other musicians. 
  7. Increased comfort level performing in front of others.
  8. More open minded on how to approach music and have a realistic plan for a music career after college. 

Course Requirements

1. Weekly lesson:  Lessons are for 50 minutes each week (for those taking 2 credits. 30 minutes for 1 credit) for a minimum of 12 weeks per semester.  Students will discuss the lesson time with their instructor in the first week of each semester. When planning your lesson, please arrange for sufficient warm-up time and tuning beforehand.  This will allow us to work on technique and repertoire more efficiently.  Please be prompt and bring all current repertoire, scale, and etude books.  You are expected to attend all lessons.  Absences will be excused for health reasons only when verified by written documentation from a health professional, or for family emergencies.  Make-up lessons will be offered online at the discretion of the instructor and as long as the lesson is cancelled no less than 24 hours in advance.  Unexcused absences will lower your grade and you will not be able to make up the lesson. Online lessons are equivalent to in-person lessons and are exchangeable for makeup lessons if needed during the week when the instructor cannot make it to SUU. 
 
2. Practice:  You are expected to practice every day.  The instructor strongly suggests a minimum of 50 minutes a day, matching your lesson time.  A regular schedule works best:  stick to a routine!  Practice rooms are available in the Music Building (lower level).  Schedule your time with the music department secretary. There is a $5.00 deposit for a practice room key, refundable at the end of the semester.  The secretary will also be able to assist you should you need a locker for your instrument.  Practice rooms and lockers are available on a first-come-first-served basis, so check soon!
 
3. Studio Performance:  This is an important part of your education and thus is required of all string majors and recommended for all string minors. These are scheduled on Friday at 3:00pm in Thorley Hall with Dr. Sun or on Saturday at 12pm with your private instructor. Students are required to attend and this will count toward your final grade. This time will be used to work on ensemble, practicing technique, ear training, and performance. 

4. Lesson Notebook:  Each student is expected to practice and to keep up to date on scheduled repertoire and exercises.  It is encouraged to write everything down in a practice notebook to refer back to so nothing is forgotten. 

5. Face-To-Face or virtual: Lessons will be partially in person/online as scheduled. Online make-up lessons may be arranged or scheduled by the student/instructor if the student cannot make the scheduled Sunday lessons. 

6. Music for Accompanists: Each student is personally responsible for providing music for the accompanist well ahead of time so that the accompanist can practice.  

7. Jury:  At the end of the term, all string students who major or minor in music will perform a jury in front of the instructor and at least one other faculty member. You will be expected to perform two pieces as determined by the instructor- one may be an etude.  Scales may be required at instructor’s discretion.  Please dress as you would for a performance.  Please note that in order to pass your proficiency for a level change you must have 4 hours in a level and you must have maintained a “B” average.
 
8. Public Performance:  String majors will be expected to perform on a student recital at least once during each term. Student Recitals are Fridays at 12:00p.m. in Thorley Recital Hall.  Each student will be requested to attend any Strings recitals (online only as of now) which occur during the semester, particularly if any member of the String faculty is performing for your recital.

9. Turn the forms on time:  You must turn your forms such as request accompanist, recital or concert forms and programs in on time. Please follow the guidelines in the Music Student Handbook regarding Friday afternoon departmental recitals and Jurys.
 
10.  Concert Attendance:  You are required to attend any string recitals during the semester, particularly those given by your peers, teacher, or guest performers and /or clinicians.
 

11.  Communication: The most reliable way for communication is by texting at (435)668-9169 or emailing at jessikasoli@suu.edu

 
12.  Please read the entire “Handbook of Policies and Regulations for Music Majors. The policies addressed by this document are your responsibility and will be adhered to by the Department.  The book is designed to help you meet graduation requirements!

Course Outline

Music 1410/4410 (2 credits) and 1400/4400 courses (1credit) are designed as face to face or online classes to provide individual instruction for string majors and minors through the study of cello technique and cello repertoire from all periods and styles. This class will enhance the knowledge of the player on how to navigate playing and working in the professional world of music regardless of area of focus. 

The instructor will work with you to determine the specific pieces to be covered during each semester based on your needs, previous experience, level advancement, and performance goals.

As a general guide, this is the repertoire curriculum:
·       Regular practice and study of scales - Print out a Circle of Fifths
·       Minimum of three etudes - prepared enough to play through in front of others
·       Two contrasting solo pieces, or a complete concerto or sonata

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

See Attendance policy

Attendance Policy

Absences will be excused for health reasons only when verified by written documentation from a health professional, or for family emergencies.  Make-up lessons will be offered online at the discretion of the instructor and as long as the lesson is cancelled no less than 24 hours in advance.  Unexcused absences will lower your grade and you will not be able to make up the lesson. Online lessons are equivalent to in-person lessons and are exchangeable for makeup lessons if needed during the week when the instructor cannot make it to SUU. 

Course Fees

Tuition for 2 credits for twelve 50 minute lessons and 1 credit for twelve 30 minute lessons. 
-Practice room fee
-Accompanist fee for majors enrolled in accompanist class

Grading

Your grade will be determined as follows:
55%    Lesson preparation, Studio class and Student Recital performance
20%    Jury
20%  Studio Class and Student Recital
5 %    Attendance of all Learning Activities 

  • A          94-100%
  • A-        90-93 %
  • B+       87-89 %
  • B         83-86%
  • B-        80-82%                                 
  • C+       77-79%
  • C         73-76%
  • C-        70-72 %
  • D+       67-69%
  • D         63-66%
  • D-        60-62 %
  • F         Below 60%

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.