The Longy Winds/Brass Orchestral Repertoire Class meets 14 times per semester from 1:30pm to 3:00pm every Thursday except for the last Thursday of exam period. The first class meeting is an organizational and informational meeting possibly with some brief individual or sectional playing. The 14th meeting is a mock audition. In each of the other 12 meetings, we rehearse a major orchestral work, or a section of a major orchestral work, with a focus on ensemble, intonation, performance practice, technique, and musical shaping.

Repertoire for each semester is chosen as a group during the first class of each semester.

Class begins at 1:30pm, so you are expected to arrive at class by 1:30pm and get set-up and warmed up. We will begin playing by 1:40pm at the latest. Anyone who has a class immediately following this class at 3:00pm may leave at 2:55pm. The rest of us continue until 3:00pm, but no later.

It is expected that each class member practice his or her part before each class so that he or she is able to play the part at a reasonable level of fluency. That way the class time is focused on music making and NOT on learning basic notes and rhythms.

Parts are available in the library at the front desk at least one week before each class. Students are welcome and encouraged to make copies of the parts in the library for their own study purposes.

The final class of each semester is a mock audition in which each class member plays three excerpts of his or her choice while the rest of the class acts as jury and provides written comments.

Grade is determined by a number of factors in decreasing order of importance:

1. Attendance - each class missed with an unexcused absence may result in a grade reduction of approximately one half grade.
2. Preparation - your general level of part preparation is evaluated over the course of the semester and this impacts your grade. I do take into consideration that some players are more advanced than others in terms of technique and repertoire knowledge. In other words, level of preparation is evaluated on an individual basis depending on each individual's overall playing level.
3. Mock Audition - your performance on the final mock audition.
4. Class Participation - this refers to your attentiveness in class and your responsiveness to instructions during class time. This also includes your active participation in class by asking relevant questions, or offering responses to general questions posed to the class, or offering your own insights into a particular piece or composer.

If you have any questions about this. Please let me know.

cohler@jonathancohler.com
(617) 877-4474 (cell phone)
(866) 896-2328 (fax)

No appointments found