Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Percussion Methods (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 3740-01

Course: MUSC 3740-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 11789

Course Description

Prepares music education students in the pedagogy, methods, and techniques of teaching percussion instruments. Students should have been accepted into the Music ED program. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Music Education majors only

Required Texts

N/A

Learning Outcomes

The objective of this course is to give students the resources and skills necessary to be effective secondary percussion educators. These resources and skills include knowledge of the instruments and their history, their care and maintenance needs, their role in various musical settings. Students will also be given opportunities to develop basic percussion technique and the tools to communicate those techniques to beginning percussion students.

Course Requirements

There is no shortcut for developing musical skills. Even perfect pitch must be honed and practiced. It is essential that you practice daily and come to every class prepared. You should take this study as seriously as you do any other aspect of your musical development. The content will come quickly, and the curriculum is designed to build on itself. That means that you should do everything you can to not get behind, and to fully understand every new principle being introduced.

Course Outline

    Date | Hands-on Learning | Discussion | Homework
Class 1 | Class Overview | Purpose | N/A
Class 2 | Snare Drum 1 | Classroom Management 1 | Classroom Management Reflection
Class 3 | Snare Drum 2 | Classroom Management 2 | Teaching Demo 1 (Snare Drum)
Class 4 | Snare Drum 3 | Snare Maintenance | Part Assignments
Class 5 | Snare Drum 4 | Drumhead Change | Mock Rehearsal/Lesson Plan
Class 6 | 2 Mallet Keyboard | Counting Systems | Rhythm Syllables Article
Class 7 | 2 Mallet Keyboard | Portfolio Check-in | Teaching Demo 2
Class 8 | 4 Mallet Keyboard | Keyboard Maintenance (restring marimba?) | Teaching Observation 1
Class 9 | 4 Mallet Keyboard | Student Leadership | Teaching Demo 3
Class 10 | Vibes | Jazz/Improv in Seconday Music Ed | TBD
Class 11 | Glock, Chimes, Xylo | Keyboard Ensemble Demo | Teaching Observation 2
Class 12 | Concert Accessories | TBD | Portfolio Midterm
Class 13 | Concert Accessories | TBD | Performance Video (Triangle, Tambourine, CC, BD)
Class 14 | Timpani 1 | Timpani Repair/Maintenance | TBD
Class 15 | Timpani 2 | Battery Ensemble Demo | Teaching Demo 4
- Spring Break -
Class 16 | Marching Percussion | Marching Percussion | Teaching Observation 3
Class 17 | Drumset 1 | Drumset History | Drumset Transcription
Class 18 | Drumset 2 | Drumset Notation | Percussion Budget
Class 19 | Drumset 3 | Drumset Repair/Maintenance | TBD
Class 20 | Drumset 4 | TBD | Teaching Observation 4
Class 21 | Multi Percussion | Solo Percussion History | Solo Rep List
Class 22 | Folkloric Percussion - Cuba | What is culture? | Culture Reflection
Class 23 | Folkloric Percussion - Brazil | Brazilian Percussion | TBD
Class 24 | Folkloric Percussion - Middle East | TBD | Folkloric Percussion Rewrite
Class 25 | N/A | Preview for Final | Teaching Observation 5
Final Exam (online) -

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

Time sensitive assignments include those relevant to class discussions and should be completed prior to the lecture date in order to receive full credit. Select assignments can be completed after the due date without penalty.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is essential for your success. To help you stay on track, each student is allowed two unexcused absences per block, no questions asked. After two unexcused absences a student’s grade will drop for each unexcused absence. Excused absences include college sponsored activities/travel, documented illness, injury, or family emergency. Any other potential unexcused absence will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Tardiness will not be tolerated as it is disruptive to your fellow classmates and the instructor. Every 3 tardies will count as 1 unexcused absence.

Course Fees

N/A

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.