Private Clarinet Students of Dr.

Faria
Whalen Center, Studio #2205
Home (607) 838-1005
Office (607) 274-3425
Fax (607) 274-1727
rfaria@ithaca.edu
www.ithaca.edu/clarinet

Syllabus Ithaca College School of Music

REQUIRED TEXTS

Clarinet Fingerings by Thomas Ridenour

The Educator's Guide to the Clarinet - Second Edition by Thomas Ridenour

The Working Clarinetist by Peter Hadcock

Musician's Practice Planner, Molto Music

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Class attendance (both rep class and lessons) is required; no unexcused absences are allowed. Any
unexcused absences will lower your grade one half letter grade for each infraction. If you must be absent for
any important reason, see me as far in advance as possible. In emergency situations where this is impossible,
see me afterwards as soon as possible. Punctuality is also graded; students entering class after five minutes
past will be marked tardy. Three tardies will count as one unexcused absence.

LESSONS

I expect every student to strive to be the best musician/educator/scholar that they can be. I will shape
the materials we choose to suit your own individual needs. I expect everyone to purchase their own music; the
sheet music, books and equipment you need to buy for this class are like the textbooks and supplies you’d
need for any other class. Don’t come in to lessons for more than 2 weeks in a row with xeroxed parts, unless
the work is out of print. I want you to graduate to a fine library of music, not a pile of copies. Bring your copy
of the Musician’s Practice Planner to every lesson. This helps to keep both you and I on track.
Much like how it is odd to hear your own voice played back to you on a recording, your perception of your
playing is quite different from the way the rest of the world perceives it. To that end, I will record your lessons
and rep class performances occasionally so you can hear yourself as others hear you.
Students taking half hour lessons will do at least a key of technique, technical exercises, and two pages
of etudes per week, as well as a few orchestral excerpts, and two solos per semester. Students taking hour
lessons do a key of technique, technical exercises, and four pages of etudes and/or excerpts per week, as well
as three or four solos per semester.
If you need to miss a lesson, I need at least 24 hours advanced notice. If you need to reschedule, try to
switch with someone else before you come to me, it is easier that way. I will always make up lessons that I
miss when I have to perform out of town. However, due to the size of the studio, I cannot always make-up
unexplained or last minute absences on your part.
I expect you to check your email and my board often for updates and schedule changes.

PERFORMANCE REPERTOIRE AND PEDAGOGY

Performance Repertoire and Pedagogy (22740 - PFMJ 19900 – 10), also known as Rep Class. is held on
Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 in either Nabenhauer Auditorium, Hockett Recital Hall, or Ford Hall Auditorium,
(rotating each semester) unless you are notified otherwise. Active participation and attendance are required.
Everyone is required to perform at least once a semester with a pianist; the only exception being physical
injuries that might prevent you from playing. Bring your clarinets and notebooks to every class. We will try to
record your performances: ask other students for their feedback as well. We will use the rep class for solo and
chamber performances, as well as technical, and pedagogical studies.
ACCOMPANISTS

They say that when looking for a tennis partner, you should look for someone better than yourself.
That way, your playing will immediately improve in an effort to rise to their level. The same applies when
looking for accompanists. Try to find pianists to perform with who are at your level or better. It reflects poorly
on you in rep classes and especially in juries if your pianist performs poorly. You will often need to pay for the
privilege of playing with a good pianist, that is part of the expense of being a music student, unless you can
find someone to play with in the Pianist as Collaborator program run by Charis Dimaras
(cdimaras@ithaca.edu), or if you have a good pianist friend who you can talk into playing for you.
You will need to find and schedule accompanists well in advance of your performance date. Before you
perform in class, I would like to hear you play together in a lesson at least once. This is why we schedule rep
class performances at the beginning of the semester; so that you all have advanced notice to schedule
accompanists. Start looking for pianists IMMEDIATELY, I will try to always have a list of accompanists up on my
board. Ask your colleagues who they have used and who they have liked.

JURIES

The woodwind faculty will hear 8 minute performance juries from all woodwind students at the end of
each semester. Sign up sheets will be posted on the door of the Woodwind Czar in that last week of classes
before finals. Anyone auditioning for the 4 1/2 year or Performance degree needs to do a 16 minute jury.
Repertoire will be specified well in advance, and may include sonatas, concertos, solo works, etudes,
orchestral excerpts, and technique, depending on where you are in your academic career. Pieces written with
piano must be performed with their piano accompaniment, no exceptions. People who are Senior student
teaching, or giving a required recital are exempt from their jury for that semester.

GRADES

Each lesson will be graded. Your overall grade will be a combination of weekly lesson grades, jury
grades, recital attendance, overall progress, written assignments, and the amount of repertoire learned and
performed. If you have any question about your grade, please ask me at any time.

A Student demonstrates a superior competency in completing course and studio requirements and/or a
superior comprehension of presented material. Assignments are ready at each lesson.

B Student demonstrates an above-average competency in completing course and studio requirements

and/or above-average comprehension of presented material. Assignments are satisfactory.

C Student demonstrates an ability to adequately meet requirements of the course and studio
requirements and/or an adequate comprehension of presented material. Assignments are not satisfactory.

D Effort is put toward completing requirements of the course and studio requirements, but minimal
requirements are not met. Assignments are not done.

F Student fails to meet acceptable standards for earning a passing grade for the course. Assignments are
not done and performance is poor.

PRACTICE

Practicing well is an art form unto itself, and a great deal of our time in lessons will be spent discussing
how to practice efficiently. Please structure your practice throughout the day rather than in one long block.
Students taking half hour lessons should practice at least three hours per day, and students taking hour
lessons should practice at least four hours per day. Take short breaks every 30 minutes or so, to take deep
breaths and to rotate all muscles in your shoulders, arms, and neck. Sing and practice mentally without
holding the instrument when you are tired. If you hurt, that is your body’s way of telling you something: listen
to it! Be aware of your entire body as you practice: make use of the mirrors in the practice rooms.
A good exercise regimen, aerobic and strenuous enough to release tension and frustration, is
essential. Swimming and walking are both good, free, and natural forms of aerobic exercise. It takes time, but
it pays off great dividends! Don’t underestimate the physical and emotional benefits of Contradancing at the
Bethel Grove community center on Rte. 79 Friday nights. A simple meditation routine will help relieve
performance anxiety, slow your heart rate, help you focus in times of stress, and assist you to “be here now”,
to be in the present moment, not dwelling in the past or future: this is essential to good music performance,
as well as the fine art of living.

SOPHOMORE PROFICIENCIES

By the end of the first semester of your sophomore year, all students must pass a sophomore
proficiency technique exam, consisting of major and minor scales, arpeggios, scales in thirds, arpeggiated
seventh chords, and a chromatic scale from low E to high g#, all to be played from memory. This exam will be
given during juries in your third semester, or earlier. Students who fail this proficiency have the opportunity to
retake the jury one time only.

CONCERT ATTENDANCE

Pick up your cards for the concert attendance requirement in the music office. Look at this positively
and choose concerts that will benefit you the most. There is a vast amount to learn from watching and hearing
live performances
Attendance at ALL Ithaca College Clarinet faculty recitals, woodwind chamber music, special events
announced in rep class (guest artists or master classes), and student recitals from our studio are required! It
is important for you to support your colleagues, hear the repertoire, and learn from other people’s successes
and mistakes. Recital attendance at these clarinet related events is a part of your grade: I will keep track, and
include attendance at these events as part of your final grade.

CONCERTO COMPETITION

Participation in the annual Ithaca College Concerto Competition is completely optional, but must be
pre-approved by the instructor. I will not necessarily ask you if you wish to participate; if you are interested,
you must let me know yourself. You should start work on learning and memorizing your concerto by at least
the start of Fall semester, if not earlier. I will work with you to choose an appropriate piece. All Concerto
Competition candidates in my studio must perform their concerto from memory in the last rep class of the fall
semester. I may choose to have a run off in that class, depending on the number of people auditioning. Those
passing the studio level run offs would participate in the semi-final round held in the end of January, shortly
after you return from winter break.

SEMESTER RESEARCH PROJECTS

These projects will consist of research, listening, and reading concerning famous composers,
pedagogy, and famous artists. These will be assigned in October and will be due at the third rep. class after
Spring Break. Working on these projects daily or weekly is best for retention and stress reduction.

HICKEY’S

Hickey’s Music (272-8262) makes free deliveries to Ithaca College campus every Wednesday at 9:45
AM in the “Diva Lounge”. If you get in your order before the close of business the day before they can bring
your purchase up to campus. Very handy, if you can plan ahead. Call them or visit their website for more
details.

EQUIPMENT

I am not dogmatic about the equipment on which my students play: If you have a setup that functions
well acoustically, that you are comfortable with, that tunes and responds well, and is not making you develop
bad habits, then you should stick with it. Seeing as that never happens, I thought I’d recommend some setups
that have worked well for myself and my students over the years. Buffet R-13 Bb and A clarinets, with Moennig
barrels (Philip Muncy’s are the best available now; 65 and 66mm for A, 66 and 67mm for the Bb), mouthpieces
by Richard Hawkins (“R” facing), Morrie Backun (“L” facing), or Vandoren (M13, M15, M30, 5RV Lyre13, and B40
Lyre), Rovner ligature (Eddie Daniels Mark III model is a favorite), and Vandoren V12 clarinet reeds (strength
will depend on what mouthpiece you choose). I find these can make for a healthy setup that allows the student
to develop good habits, and will not force you to develop unnatural techniques to get the instrument to
respond or play in tune. I will work with you to help choose a setup that works best for you.
SUGGESTED RETAILERS

INSTRUMENTS AND/OR ACCESSORIES

• Hickey’s Music – now stocking hand-selected R 13 clarinets

http://www.hickeys.com

• Marinelli Woodwinds - expert woodwind sales and service in Wilmington, DE

http://www.expertwoodwindservice.com/

• Muncy Winds Music Company – a great source for instruments and accessories
http://www.muncywinds.com/home.php

• Lisa’s Clarinet Shop – hand-selected clarinets from Lisa Canning

http://www.lisasclarinetshop.com/

Woodwind and Brasswind – instruments, reeds, and accessories

http://www.wwbw.com/

SHEET MUSIC

• Luyben Music – my favorite sheet music source

http://www.luybenmusic.com/

Eble Music – sheet music

https://www.eble.com/store/

Van Cott Information Services - books, music, CD's and more for clarinet
http://www.vcisinc.com/

Joseph Patelson Music House – sheet music and orchestral parts in NYC
http://www.patelson.com/

Frank Music Company – sheet music and orchestral parts in NYC

http://www.frankmusiccompany.com/catalog/

Luck’s Music Library – world's largest distributor of orchestral sheet music

http://www.lucksmusic.net/

Yesterday Service, Inc. – classical sheet music

http://www.yesterdayservice.com/

MOUTHPIECES

Vandoren – try the B 40 Lyre, M 30, 5RV Lyre, M 15, M 13 Lyre, and M 13
http://www.vandoren.com/en/index.html

Backun Musical Services – truly deluxe clarinet products, try the “L” facing
http://www.backunmusical.com/

Brad Behn – state of the art clarinet mouthpieces

http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/

Richard Hawkins – beautiful clarinet mouthpieces, try the “R” facing

http://www.richardhawkinsmouthpiece.com/

REPAIR

• The Cayuga Music Shop – excellent repair by Steve Jones here in town
http://www.cayugamusic.com/
Brannen Woodwinds – expert repair in Evanston, IL
http://www.brannenwoodwinds.com/

Kristin Bertrand Woodwind Repair - expert woodwind repairs in the heart of Manhattan
http://www.woodwindworkshop.com/

Mark Jacobi Clarinet Repairs

1930 Chestnut Street #1708
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 569-8739

REQUIRED RECITALS

All Performance majors (including 4 and 1/2) are required to do a Junior and Senior recital (Required
Junior Recital - 22037 - MUMC 37300 – 10, Required Senior Recital - 22219 - MUMC 47300 – 10). For the
regular Performance degree, I recommend the Junior recital at the end of the Junior year, and the Senior recital
at the end of the Senior year. For the 4 and 1/2 degree, I recommend doing an elective recital your Junior
year, your Junior recital in your Senior year, and your Senior recital in your last semester. Often this doesn’t
work; if someone is spending a semester overseas, or is a transfer student, etc. But if you can make it happen,
it works very well; your final recital will be much more polished as a result.
Recital repertoire and an accompanist need to be settled by the start of the semester in which you are
to do your recital. Get your music to your accompanist as early as humanly possible. Remember YOU are
responsible for doing the recital lottery and getting a recital date in the semester before your recital. Email
your program in to Pat Phelps (pphelps@ithaca.edu) early; if she gets it less than 2 weeks before, she can’t
guarantee to get it back from the printer in time for your recital.

ELECTIVE RECITALS

If you are looking for a place to do an elective recital (Elective Recital - 21901 - MUMC 27300 - 10), or a place
to do a low pressure run through of your required recital (always a great idea!), these spaces often host
concerts for little or no cost.

Corning Community College

Corning, NY

Dr. James Hudson of Corning Community College is interested in having students perform at the college.
Recitals are held on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Contact our Associate Dean (Bill Pelto) for more info.

DeWitt Historical Society of Tompkins County

401 East State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

The DeWitt Historical Society’s Tompkins County Museum has a gallery with wonderful acoustics and a historic
Wegman, Henning and Co. of Ithaca, NY upright piano which is tuned regularly. They like to host recitals and
concerts in the gallery on Fridays from noon or 12:15 to 1:00 PM on a regular basis starting in March. They
offer no money, but will do some publicity for you. Ask for Jane Edwards.

Unitarian Church of Ithaca

306 North Aurora Street
Ithaca, NY
273-7521

St. John’s Episcopal Church

210 North Cayuga
Ithaca, NY
273-6532

First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca

315 North Cayuga Street
Ithaca, NY
(607) 272-2800
first_pres_ithaca@juno.com

First Baptist Church

Dewitt Park
Ithaca, NY
273-5800

Muller Chapel at Ithaca College, for reservations, call 274-3313

RELEVANT COURSE NUMBERS

Undergraduate:

Clarinet I - Music Majors - 22187 - PFMJ 12500 – 02

Clarinet I - Music Minors - 22190 - PFMJ 12501 – 02
Clarinet II - Music Majors - 22719 - PFMJ 22500 - 02
Clarinet II - Music Minors - 22723 - PFMJ 22501 – 02
Clarinet III - Music Majors - 21868 - PFMJ 32500 – 02
Clarinet IV - Music Majors - 21988 - PFMJ 42500 - 02
Clarinet V - Music Majors - 22266 - PFMJ 47500 – 02

Performance Repertoire and Pedagogy - 22740 - PFMJ 19900 - 10

Elective Recital - 21901 - MUMC 27300 - 10

Required Junior Recital - 22037 - MUMC 37300 – 10
Required Senior Recital - 22219 - MUMC 47300 – 10

Graduate:

Clarinet - 22585 - PFMJ 62500 – 02

Recital - 22321 - MUMC 61100 – 10
Lecture-Recital - 22399 - MUMC 61200 – 10

Finally - think positive

Your brain will listen to the messages you give it and take action. If you are telling yourself you are incapable,
tired, anxious, fearful, you will fail that test or not get that job and so on, your brain will act accordingly and
send out all those signals to your body to perpetuate your state of mind. Imagine then what you could do if
you told your brain to send out different messages? Thinking positive works, try it.

TL;DR? Do your best, be a good citizen, make music, and ask for help if you need it.