Cello Studio - Syllabus

Contact: Dr. Joseph Harchanko, D.M.A.

phone: 503-838-8874

email: harchanko@wou.edu       

website: http://www.wou.edu/~harchanj

Office hours are posted at http://www.wou.edu/~harchanj/schedule.htm

Appointments may be requested for any free time

Objectives: Students enrolled in cello performance courses must give at least one solo performance, approved by the instructor, at the university each term that they are enrolled.  The primary goals are as follows:

If time allows, lessons may be used to assist students with ensemble music.  However, progress made on ensemble music will not be considered as progress towards this course’s objectives.

Students are required to attend the weekly cello seminar Fridays at 11:00, all string recitals, and the student recital on November 17, 2005 at 11a.m. (unless otherwise excused for ensemble conflicts) in addition to their weekly lessons.

Grading: The final work must be submitted by the first day of scheduled exams.  The following guidelines are used for assessing the final work:

A : Work exhibits exceptional growth, expression, and technical ability.

B : Work fulfills minimum requirement and shows better than satisfactory  technical competence.

C : Work shows some competence, but little growth.  Some course requirements may not be fulfilled.

D : Work lacks growth and competence in technical abilities.  Some course requirements are not fulfilled.

F : Work shows no growth.  Student fails to fulfill requirements.

The final grade will be based on the following:

20% weekly progress grades

20% performance of work (if applicable)

10% attendance of weekly composition seminar and recitals

50% assessment of final work

Grading will be done on the following standard:

93-100             A

 90-92               A-

87-89               B+

83-86               B

80-82               B-

77-79               C+

73-76               C

70-72               C-

67-69               D+

63-66               D

60-62               D-

59 and below   F

Those uncomfortable with the creative process, including the exposition and criticism of their creative works, should consider their enrollment in these courses carefully.  Students must be prepared to offer and accept criticisms positively.

Attendance:  In the event of an absence, contact the professor immediately by email and by calling his office phone.  If the absence is foreseeable, give notice before the absence occurs at the earliest possible time.  There are no unexcused absences permitted and students failing to attend lessons without a written excuse or prior notification will receive a failing grade for that week. If you have not composed enough music for us to be able to discuss it for at least a half an hour, I would appreciate a call or an e-mail warning me of that at least 24 hours in advance. That way I can find other music for us to look at for that hour.

Email: Students are required to maintain and check their WOU email accounts regularly.  Information sent to a WOU account is assumed to have been received and read within a 24-hour period.  Students are responsible for any such information.  Alternate email accounts will not be substituted.  You may be able to create an automatic forwarding command to your preferred email system.  Check with UCS for details.

Professor-student contract: Your education is your responsibility.  It is my sincerest desire to facilitate the learning process.  Please do not hesitate to see me should you need help or should you have any desire to discuss class materials, classroom environment, or any element of the learning process or subject matter at hand. Only you can guarantee your success, but you will find it much easier if you seek help.  Remember that I am here to help you do the work necessary to achieve your goals.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

College life often places many stresses upon students.  Western Oregon University offers support for students' well being.  All students having difficulty coping with any part of academic life are encouraged to make use of these resources.