Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

String Methods (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 3750-01

Course: MUSC 3750-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Music
CRN: 31712

Course Description

This course provides students with foundational performance skills on each of the four orchestral string instruments. Participants will be introduced to key pedagogical methods, rehearsal practices, and technical approaches relevant to orchestral strings. Students should have been accepted into the Music ED program. Registration Restriction(s): Music Education majors only.

Required Texts

Course Materials

Essential Elements 2000 for Strings, Teacher's Manual. Book 1. Publisher: Hal Leonard. Authors: Gillespie, Allen, Hayes. ISBN: 9798350120738. UPC: 196288198901

Learning Outcomes

Course Outcomes

String Methods introduces music education students to the pedagogy, methods, and techniques involved in teaching orchestral string instruments. Enrollment is limited to music majors who have been accepted into the music education program.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
  1. Perform on orchestral strings at a first-year level.
  2. Assess and correct student technique.
  3. Teach posture, bow/instrument hold, fingerings, playing methods, instrument range, intonation, rhythm, and bowing.
  4. Address equipment needs and pedagogical strategies.
  5. Provide basic string instrument repair and maintenance.

Course Requirements

Assignment Table


Category (quantity)                                        Unit Points              Total Points
Class attendances (25)                                      5/day                        125
Classroom observations (6)                               25/each                    150
In-class pass-offs (5)                                         25/each                    125
In-class playing tests (4)                                    50/each                    200
Article reviews (2)                                              25/each                    50
Lesson plans (2)                                                25/each                    50
In-class orchestra teaching practice (1)             100 points                100
In-class orchestra teaching demonstration (1)    200 points               200
                                                                                                        Total   1000


Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class: Total points/10 = Grade
Grade   Range                       Grade     Range
A          100 % to 94.0%           C           < 77.0 % to 74.0%
A-         < 94.0 % to 90.0%       C-         < 74.0 % to 70.0%
B+        < 90.0 % to 87.0%       D+        < 70.0 % to 67.0%
B          < 87.0 % to 84.0%       D          < 67.0 % to 64.0%
B-         < 84.0 % to 80.0%       D-         < 64.0 % to 61.0%
C+        < 80.0 % to 77.0%       F          < 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline

Assignment descriptions

Classroom Observations (150 points in total)
Attend and observe the following sections (6 in total). Submit your observation forms via Canvas by the due dates.  

·      Two in-person observations of grades 6–12 orchestra lessons. (Observing classes throughout September, October, and November to understand the teaching at different stages of the semester is highly recommended.)

·      One in-person observation of grades 6-12 orchestra performance. (School orchestra October showcases, limited available dates, please schedule ahead.)

·      One observation of Dr. Tong’s teaching video on YouTube: a middle School grade 7 viola sectional session.

·      Two observations of online clinic rehearsal labs/ open rehearsals of grades 6–12 orchestra on YouTube.

Submission dates are listed below. Early submissions are recommended. Any late submission is subject to a grade reduction.  

  • #1 — 9/18/2026 
  • #2 — 10/2/2026
  • #3 — 10/16/2026
  • #4 — 10/30/2026
  • #5 — 11/13/2026
  • #6 — 12/4/2026

In-class pass-offs (125 points in total)
There are 5 in-class pass-offs, one for each instrument (violin, viola, cello, and double bass). The final pass-offs covers instrumental maintenance, basic conducting knowledge, and miscellaneous topics. 

In-class playing tests (200 points in total)
There are 4 in-class playing tests, one for each instrument (violin, viola, cello, and double bass). Students are expected to demonstrate their playing skills and follow the performance directions for the selected repertoire. 

Article Reviews (50 points in total)
There are 2 articles about orchestra teaching, students finish reading and submit review reports on canvas. Early submissions are recommended. Any late submission is subject to a grade reduction.  
  • 1st submission on canvas due on 9/25/2026.
  • 2nd submission on canvas due on 10/30/2026.

Lesson Plan (50 points in total)
Students are required to submit 2 lesson plans on canvas. Early submissions are recommended. Any late submission is subject to a grade reduction. The first lesson plan must be submitted two lessons before the student’s scheduled orchestra teaching practice. The second lesson plan must be submitted two lessons before the scheduled orchestra teaching demonstration. Students with approved lesson plans may proceed with the orchestra teaching practice and demonstration. 
  • Submission on canvas is due two lessons before the assigned date of in-class orchestra teaching practice and demonstration.

In-class orchestra teaching practice (100 points in total)
After learning all the string instruments and basic conducting skills, the classroom will be arranged in an orchestra setting. Each student will be assigned for an in-class orchestra teaching practice. Once the lesson plan is approved, students will direct the orchestra for a short piece/excerpt (selections will be provided) as part of their teaching practice and receive feedback. All students are required to participate in this assignment, either as the director or as a member of the orchestra. Directors must demonstrate effective teaching skills, while instrumentalists must prepare and practice the excerpts before each lesson.

In-class orchestra teaching demonstration (200 points in total)
After the class finish orchestra teaching practice, each student will be assigned for an in-class orchestra teaching demonstration as the final project. Once the lesson plan is approved, students will direct the orchestra for a complete orchestra piece (selections will be provided) as part of their teaching practice and receive feedback. All students are required to participate in this assignment, either as the director or as a member of the orchestra. Directors must demonstrate effective teaching skills, while instrumentalists must prepare and practice the excerpts before each lesson.


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

Attendance is extremely important for this course as most lessons have in-class assessments. Chronic absences invariably result in lack of progress. In-class assessments will not be rescheduled except for excused attendance informed in advance.

For writing assignments on canvas, early submissions are recommended. Any late submission is subject to a grade reduction.  

Attendance Policy

Class Attendances and attendance policy (125 points in total)
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. This course excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics, observance of religious holy days, or military service.  
Tardies 
Students need to attend lessons on time as scheduled. There are 25 lessons in total, with 5 points awarded for each class attended. Tardies of up to 15 minutes earn 3 points, while tardies of more than 15 minutes earn 1 point. 
Excused Attendance
Students must inform the instructor at least 24 hours in advance of the absence to be considered for “excused” status. Student needs to email the instructor during the same week or before, to file an official doctor’s letter for sickness, or other official documents for those reasons under the University’s policy. 
Absent
Attendance is extremely important for this course as most lessons have in-class assessments. Chronic absences invariably result in lack of progress. In-class assessments will not be rescheduled except for excused attendance informed in advance. 

Course Fees

Yes.

Custom

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.