This weekly one-hour private lesson is designed for students with previous experience on the violin or viola who are pursuing a degree in music. This course will cover fundamental violin technique, reading music, and rudimentary concepts in music theory. In Level 1, focus will be placed on technique as a means to obtain beautiful sound production and to achieve fluency and proficiency.

The instructor will assign appropriate exercises and repertoire on an individual basis, which prepares the student toward an end-of-semester adjudicated jury, with emphasis on developing healthy and consistent skills to prepare students for college music study. Students must pass a Level 1 jury to advance to Level 2.

Additionally, attendance is mandatory at the weekly Student Recital Class. 

Students must receive instructor approval to enroll and must be enrolled as a Music Major at ACC.  

Students must provide:

• Owned or rented instrument
• Practice journal/lesson notebook
• Pencil/eraser - must bring to class for note-taking, as well as during at-home practice
• 3 ring binder for organization of assigned repertoire OR 
• iPad, Forscore app, Apple Pencil and page turn pedal

Loose individual pages are not acceptable.

Written materials will be assigned on an individual basis in alignment with the student’s musical goals and the instructor’s assessment of the student’s needs. Examples of textbooks may include:

• Suzuki Violin Method Books 4-6
• Urstudien (Basic Studies) for violin by Carl Flesch
• Classical repertoire might include: Vivaldi violin concertos, Bach Sonatas and Partitas, Mozart violin concertos.

The goals of violin lessons are to develop competency in the fundamentals of instrumental performance. To accomplish this, we will cover many related skills, including the following: 

• Disciplined practice strategies (students are expected to spend at least 30 minutes to 1 hour practicing concepts learned during lessons, a minimum of 5 days per week)
• Organizational techniques, facilitated by a practice journal
• Understanding musical context, including different techniques; musical styles, performance contexts, and historical periods
• Listening: historical recordings, aural skills and ear training as it relates to violin performance
• Development of a confident stage presence
• Discussion of career planning and transferring

At the conclusion of the first semester of applied violin, students will:

• Exhibit basic knowledge in the technical mechanics of sound production. The demonstration of this knowledge will include a strong and balanced posture; efficient bow arm technique and a correct and comfortable bow hold. Students should be able to successfully produce pleasant sound quality that is appropriate in the style of classical music.  Students will also be expected to play with accurate intonation and be familiar with at least two octave scales in the keys of A major, G major, D major and relative minors, to be practiced and performed at 60 bpm. 

Level appropriate scales and exercises as well as level appropriate pieces will be assigned on an individual basis.

• Demonstrate proper technique in left hand execution. This includes an understanding of the concept of finger independence and physical ease and efficiency, which promotes speed and accuracy.
• Demonstrate proper technique in shifting and be comfortable in third position or higher with the ability to execute accurate intonation. 
• Assigned pieces are expected to be prepared with mindful attention to basic technique and beautiful sound production as a result.
• A memorized jury must be presented at the end of the semester.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Student Learning Outcomes are associated with the following Program Learning Outcomes:

• Develop instrumental skill through coaching, pedagogy, and instruction.
• Develop performance skills through methodical practicing habits, healthy use of the body, performance practice, and musical expression.
• Demonstrate intelligent and professional communication on stage interpersonally and through performance.
• Develop the habits necessary to succeed as a professional musician.
• Prepare participants for the conditions and demands they will face as professional performers.