West Valley College Music Studies

Beginning Piano 30 A/B

Course:              Beginning Piano 30 A/B - Section 51819/51823, Spring 2007

Class Time:       Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 pm - 1:35 pm

Location:            Music Department, MU22

Instructor:           Robert Cornejo

Office:                 Music Department,  MU 2

Office Hours:    Tuesday 2:00 - 4:00 pm on campus, Thursday 12:00 - 12:30 pm on campus, and Friday 2:00-3:00 pm online

Hours By Arrangement:  Tuesday 3:00 - 5:00 pm , and Thursday 1:35 - 2:15 pm, MU2

Office Phone:    408/741-2464              Fax: 408/741-2059

E-Mail:               robert_cornejo@westvalley.edu

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Note: The instructor may make changes to the course syllabus during the semester. It is the student's responsibility to stay informed of any changes.

Course Description:

This is a developmental course in piano techniques focusing on posture, finger technique, music reading, chording, and performance of simple piano literature and exercises.  Musicianship skills will be practiced routinely for literacy.  This course is required for Music majors.

Prerequisite: None

Text:   Palmer, William A., Manus, Lethco.  Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Level 1.  California: Alfred Publishing  Co.    

            Burnam, Edna-Mae.  A Dozen a Day, Book One.  Kentucky: The Willis Music Co.

Level Two of each of the above books may be required for 30B students.

The textbooks for this course are required for every class meeting.  

Recommended courses for further music education: 

Music 005 Mastering the Fundamentals of Music

Music 030B Beginning Piano and Music 031A Intermediate Piano

Required Materials:

Headphones and, if necessary, 1/4 inch adapter. 

Necessary Physical Qualifications:

Students must have the physical ability to sit upright and have finger coordination for success in this course.  

Classroom Procedures:

Warm-up exercises

Lecture

Application of new piano techniques and exercises

Learn new piano selections and exercises

Individual performances

Discussion

Homework:

Practice technical exercises and repertoire for a total of 2 hours and 40 minutes per week, hours by arrangement.  Practice rooms are available in the Music Department.  Theory assignments are to be completed as required in preparation for quizzes.  Students are encouraged to see the instructor during office hours for additional help.

Attendance and Drop Policy:

There are NO excused absences.  The instructor does not have the time, nor the desire to evaluate what constitutes an excused absence.  Students are expected to determine the need for an absence based on personal priorities.  The instructor will not drop students from the roster after the first day of class; it is the students responsibility. 

Evaluation and Grading:

Participation in piano technique development through simple exercises, the warm-up (the start of every class) is worth 30 points.  2.5 points will be deducted for every two missed. 

Ten performances, including literature and exercises, each performance is worth 5 points.

30B students will have 6 performances, each performance is worth 5 points.

30B students will have 6 technical exercises, each exercise is worth 5 points. 

Two theory quizzes will be worth 10 points each.  Theory quizzes will be timed, with no grace period for late arrivals.

30B Students will have one theory quiz worth 10 points.

The final exam schedule:

Section 51819/51823: Tuesday May 22, 11:50 am - 1:50 pm

Total points: 100 points 

There will be no make-up opportunity for performances.  At the instructor's discretion a performance or quiz may be made-up, provided it is scheduled prior to the following class meeting.  Please call the instructor's office if there is a concern.

90-100%         A

80-89%           B

70-79%           C

60-69%           D

0-59%             F

Extra-Credit may be offered, requirements may be a performance, concert attendance, or critique.

Student Attendance Policy  (from the WVC Catalog, p. 182)  

Students are expected to attend all sessions of each class.  Instructors may drop students from the class if they fail to attend the first class meeting, or when accumulated unexcused hours of absences exceed ten percent of the total number of hours the class meets during the semester.  Moreover, an instructor may drop from the class any student who fails to attend at least one class session during the first three weeks of instruction.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty  (refer to the WVC Catalog, p. 182)  

Classroom Decorum:

As a courtesy to your fellow students and me please switch your pagers and cell phones off.

Sunglasses are not allowed to be worn inside the classroom.  Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, nor will lewd or foul language.  This class follows the standards set in the Student Code of Conduct, Board Policy 5.19, found in the West Valley College Catalog.  Students are subject to disciplinary action for violation of that code.

Disability Statement: 

West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.  Students should notify DESP (Disability & Educational Support Program) located in the Learning Services building (408-741-2010) of any special needs.

Unlawful Discrimination/Sexual Harassment :

If you have a complaint or someone has shared information with you as a student or employee that is unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at West Valley-Mission Community College District, Human Resources Department, (408-741-2060).  If the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources is not available, contact the President of the college in which you attend or are employed.  For West Valley College, contact the office of Dr. Philip Hartley at 408-741-2097.

Emergency Procedures:

West Valley College is one of the safest campuses in California.  However, earthquakes and other incidents could occur.   The college has developed an emergency procedures plan.  This document includes how to respond to emergencies that might occur on campus and in the classroom.  A copy of the plan is available to review from the Division Office or me.  A condensed version in the form of a yellow colored flip chart is posted along with other emergency information in the classroom MU23.  I strongly urge each of you to have basic emergency supplies in your car and have a flashlight with you when you are on campus, especially at night.

Evacuation:  In the event of an evacuation, the emergency assembly area for this classroom is in Parking Lot #7.  Take all of your belongings with you.   While we will try to evacuate together as a group, if you get separated, we will regroup at our assembly area in lot #7.  Do not leave campus or the assembly area unless instructed to do so my me or another responsible official (police, fire, etc.)

Important phone numbers and location of emergency supplies:

Updated December 15, 2006