Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Senior Recital (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 4800-09

Course: MUSC 4800-09
Credits:
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32727

Course Description

A full or half recital to fulfill the performance requirements for the BM or BMEd and BA degrees, respectively. (Fall, Spring) [Pass/Fail] Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Required Materials
It is expected that you begin to invest in yourself and your professional resources. You should begin to purchase your own mallets and instruments as you need them, as well as the sheet music you perform. The SUU Music Department Handbook explains that “students who use photocopies or digital scans of music they have not purchased are breaking the law unless the music is in the public domain. Fines for breaking copyright law are considerable and put the individual, the department, and the university at risk. Students will not be allowed to perform a jury or recital without owning their music.” Please be thoughtful about where you choose to access your music and materials.

PAS Membership
A membership to the Percussive Arts Society is strongly encouraged ($60/yr). If you plan to attend the Percussive Arts Society International Conference in Indianapolis, this membership will be required. Being a part of this organization is vital to your ability to make connections and grow as a percussionist.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Develop the ability to produce exceptional tone on a variety of percussion instruments.
  2. Develop a mature sense of musical timing.
  3. Develop the ability to create a meaningful, communicative performance.
  4. Develop a thoughtful individual approach to music and artistry.

Course Requirements

Studio Class
Studio class is for every percussion major enrolled in lessons and is held weekly beginning on the first Friday of classes. It will be held in the percussion studio on Fridays at 1pm. This is an "all-purpose" extension of your private lessons, where we will have guest clinicians, perform for each other, take care of studio business, and chat about various topics.

Solo Performance Requirement
Students enrolled in applied lessons are expected to prepare and perform various solo works in conjunction with the required methods outlined below. At least three solo performances per semester will be required by each student: 1 in scheduled studio classes, 1 in a non-studio public setting, and 1 prerecorded digital performance. More on these expectations will be outlined in our studio classes. Additional solo performances in a variety of settings are strongly encouraged.

Sight Reading
Sight-reading is an essential aspect of professional activity. All students enrolled in applied lessons will be expected to commit a portion of their individual daily practice to focused, meaningful sight-reading on snare drum and both 2 and 4-mallet marimba. This will be assessed periodically in lessons and performance class.

Practicing
Substantial, consistent, and purposeful practice is expected of all percussion students, all semester long. While the duration and frequency of your practice sessions should be personalized, a good starting routine would be 5-6 days a week and at least 2 hours per day.

Book Club
Each semester, we will read a book together and discuss its application to our lives. You will be asked to read a chapter a week, and your contribution to the discussions will be reflected in your final grade.

Grading
Grading is based on your lesson attendance, preparation, and progress towards your personal goals. Two absences will result in a lowered grade by one full letter. You cannot receive a passing grade if you miss more than four lessons or studio classes. The instructor will wait at least 10 minutes before a lesson is considered missed.
  • Attendance (lessons and studio class) - 50%
  • Assignments and preparation - 25%
  • Solo performances and Jury - 25%

Course Outline

Core Requirements
The SUU percussion curriculum is sequential and based on a level system as outlined below. All new students will be assessed in the first semester of applied lessons and assigned the methods that are most appropriate for their needs. Students should select two instruments to study each semester. Supplemental materials will be recommended on a case-by-case basis. Individual levels must be completed sequentially; however, students are encouraged to choose those instruments that are most motivating to them first.

Recommended Sequence (Performance):
Year 1 | Orchestral Snare Drum 1 / Marimba 1 | Timpani 1 / Accessories
Year 2 | Orchestral Snare Drum 2 / Marimba 2 | Timpani 2 / Vibraphone
Year 3 | Drumset | Recital 1
Year 4 | Folkloric | Recital 2 (Emphasis)

Recommended Sequence (Education):
Year 1 | Orchestral Snare Drum 1 / Marimba 1 | Timpani 1 / Accessories
Year 2 | Orchestral Snare Drum 2 / Marimba 2 | Timpani 2 / Vibraphone
Year 3 | Drumset / TBD | Rudimental / TBD
Year 4 | Recital | Student Teaching

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

Late assignments and/or makeup work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Attendance Policy

We are only allowed 12 lessons over the course of the semester, so it is important that we make each lesson count. Attendance at each scheduled lesson and studio class is required, and absences will only be excused for a university event or medical/family emergencies, in which case at least 48 hours notice is expected. In some cases, remote lessons may be permitted. I also expect that you check your email regularly and respond promptly (within 24 hours).

Course Fees

Fee required.

Additional Course Information

Emphasis
Percussion students are encouraged to choose an area of emphasis for their final year of applied lessons. This should be reflected in both their lesson materials and senior recital repertoire. It should reflect the student’s determined direction for future study and professional activities. Potential emphases may include (but are not limited to):
  • Orchestral
  • Generalist
  • Soloist (e.g., marimba, vibraphone, improvisation, drumset)
  • Folkloric (e.g., West African, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, South Indian)
  • Chamber Music
  • Rudimental/Pageantry Arts

Recital Attendance
Music Majors are required to enroll in Recital Attendance (MUSC 0990) as part of the music department curriculum. This requirement is designed to expose the music student to a variety of musical experiences and provide a suitable audience for recitals and concerts. Each semester, a listing of officially approved recitals and concerts for MUSC 0990 will be posted on the departmental bulletin board. Each student will be responsible for attending twelve different events on the approved list, at least three of which must be events in which the student does not personally perform. For information about the current method of attendance-taking, consult with the music faculty or the Administrative Assistant.

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.