Syllabus for
Piano Students of Mark Wells
Fall term, 2015
Phone: Music Center of South Central Michigan- (269) 963-1911, x2587
E-mail: wellsm@kellogg.edu
I will be on campus Monday-Friday.
Expectations
While each student arrives at KCC bringing differing musical backgrounds and
experiences, students taking piano lessons will realize progress with regular, daily, steady
practicing. The acquiring of habits of regular, focused practicing is central to mastering
the piano. It is far more effective to practice a half-hour six days a week than to
practice three hours the day before the lesson!
Students taking piano lessons for one credit hour receive one half-hour lesson weekly
and are expected to attend each weekly Master Class or Recital (schedules for these
performances are posted). They should be prepared to practice 2 ½-3 hours per week.
During the term students should master three pieces. Technical work, such as scales,
Hanon exercises, etc, are in addition to the pieces.
Students taking piano lessons for two credit hours receive one hour lesson per week, and
are expected to attend each weekly Master Class or Recital (schedules for these
performances are posted). They should be prepared to practice 5 hours per week. During
the term students should master a minimum of five pieces in contrasting styles, as well as
technical exercises.
Students should arrive at their lesson warmed up and prepared for their lesson. It is
helpful to find out as much about the composer and the background/circumstances of the
pieces (when they were written, style in light of other works by the same composer, etc.).
Two useful references for terms and composer biographies are 'The New Grove
Dictionary of Music and Musicians' and 'Baker's Dictionary.'
Missed Lessons/Make-Up Lessons
Students canceling a lesson less than 24 hours may not be rescheduled. Notification
given 24 hours or more regarding a lesson to be missed will be rescheduled at the mutual
agreement between the instructor and the student. There are no make-ups for no-show students or
late-comers. All Students who must miss a lesson must contact the instructor no less than 24
hours ahead of time (see phone numbers and e-mails listed at top of p.1). Lessons missed by the
by the instructor will be made up. Emergency cancellations may be qualified with proof of
emergency: If a student calls in sick prior to the lesson on the lesson day, a doctor's note is
required for a makeup to be considered. If a permanent schedule change is required, please
inform the instructor immediately. Every effort will be made to accommodate date and time for
an approved make-up when possible. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the scheduling of
make-up lessons, not the instructor. Make-up lessons are based on teacher's availability. All
make-up lessons must be done within 60 calendar days from the date of the canceled lesson. No
refunds are given for missed lessons. Unexcused absences of 3 or more will be reported to the
Director of Instrumental Music.
Master Class and Recitals
During Fall term music students (vocal and instrumental) at KCC are expected to attend
each Master Class. Master classes give each student a chance to perform in front of other
music students, with feedback from faculty and students relating to the performance.
Student Recitals are held at the end of the semester (approximately four are scheduled).
These performances are a more formal presentation by the students, without comments or
feedback from students. These classes are held every Wednesday at 1PM. Attendance is
taken at these events-failure to attend will lower the students grade one-half grade
(see KCC Music Division Handbook, p. 15).
During the semester students will be expected to perform. The student's performance
requirements are as follows:
Music 122-123 (1 or 2 credit hours)- minimum of 2 master classes and 1 recital.
Music 124-125 (1 or 2 credit hours)- minimum of 3 master classes and 1 recital.
The more frequently a student performs, the easier performing becomes. Many aspects
of piano performing can only be fully understood by hands-on experience (i.e.
confidence, stage presence, etc.) The student should be prepared to perform at any
master class, if called upon. Do not wait until the end of the semester to fulfill the
requirements.
Students wishing to perform on a specific date for master class or recital must sign up in the
Music office at least one week before they perform.
Proper performance attire at Master Class and Recitals is expected.
Juries
At the end of every semester each student is required to take a piano examination. The
KCC Music Division Handbook (p. 13) states:
A jury is a type of final examination which usually occurs during finals week.
Level change juries will determine whether or not the student has developed technically
and artistically enough to work at a more advanced level.
The student will begin with his/her first choice selection. Other selections are
chosen at random by other members of the music faculty. The final selection is chosen by
the student's private voice/instrumental instructor.
Students are graded on the following criteria:
Musical accuracy
Artistic performance
Pianistic Technique
Stage presence
Communication with audience
Musical interpretation
Juries are graded by the music faculty. Each faculty member submits a grade and
written comments for the student. The jury grade is the average of the grades submitted
by the music faculty. The final grade given by the student's private teacher will be
averaged into the total giving the student his/her final grade.
Enrichment students are not required to perform a jury; however they are encouraged to
do so with the express consent of their applied instructor.
For all students taking lessons for academic credit, end of semester juries are
mandatory. Failure to complete a jury will result in an (F) for the semester.
The specific musical requirements of the jury for each level are as follows:
MUSI 122-123 (piano): One to three contrasting pieces from contrasting stylistic
periods. One selection must be representative of the standard classic repertoire. All
Selections must be memorized.
MUSI 124-125 (piano): Four to six contrasting pieces from contrasting stylistic
periods and genres. A minimum of three must be representative of the standard classical
repertoire. (J. S. Bach., Beethoven, Chopin, etc..). All selections must be memorized.
Your final grade will be divided by the
following scale:
Studio Grade 1/3 of total grade
Studio Master Class 1/3 of total grade
Jury Grade 1/3 of total grade
KCC General Policy Statements
1). Kellogg Community College Academic Integrity Statement:
The Kellogg Community College policy on Academic Integrity is spelled out in the
student handbook. If it is suspected that you are cheating, fabricating, facilitating
academic dishonesty, or plagiarizing, there may be serious consequences. The incident
will be documented and may be reported to the academic chair and/or program director
for possible disciplinary actions up to and including course, program, or college
expulsion.
2). Kellogg Community College Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504
Statement:
Kellogg Community College does not discriminate in the admission or treatment of
students on the basis of disability. KCC is committed to compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
3). Instructor Syllabus Rights Statement:
Information contained in this syllabus was to the best knowledge of the instructor
considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the
semester. However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract with Kellogg
Community College and any student, nor between the instructor and any student. The
instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Kellogg
Community College, to make changes in the course content or instructional techniques
without notice or obligation.
4). Student e-mail
All KCC students are provided with e-mail accounts through the college server. You will
be responsible for checking your KCC e-mail regularly and should be prepared to use
KCC e-mail as part of student-college interaction. For e-mail account information, check
the web at
www.kellogg.edu/email/geninfo
5). Cell Phone and Other Electronic Equipment Statement:
CELL PHONES AND PAGERS must be on mute during class. If you must take or
return an emergency call, please go out into the hall to do so.
6). Class conduct and Participation:
Class participation is encouraged. We will follow the College policies regarding
Conduct. I expect students to create an atmosphere of respect. No name-calling,
interruptiong, or foul language is allowed. Come prepared with an open attitude that is
professional and shows that you are ready to learn.
Student Name:____________________________________
E-mail:__________________________________________
Telephone No:___________________________________
Cell Phone:______________________________________
By signing this agreement, I acknowledge that I have read this syllabus:
________________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________