2013-14 Music Education

Classes with Terry Burk

Subdivide & Conquer, class meets in Room 1214 Symphony Orchestra (8 sessions) Noon – 12:30 p.m. Class dates: Sept. 21, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 16, 23 Philharmonic & Repertory Orchestra (10 sessions) 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Class dates: Sept. 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 16, 23, Dec. 7

Solfége (sight-singing), class meets in Room 1214 Symphony Orchestra (10 sessions) Noon – 1:00 p.m. Class dates: Jan. 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1, 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Philharmonic & Repertory Orchestra (10 sessions) 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Class dates: Jan. 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1, 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

See reverse for complete class descriptions.

To register or ask questions regarding any of these courses (or to discuss scheduling), please e-mail MYS Music Education Instructor, Terry Burk. terryburkmys@gmail.com

Include your name, orchestra, instrument, and the class you are registering for.

Please note: enrollments will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

How to Register

Minnesota Youth Symphonies 790 Cleveland Ave S., Suite 203

St. Paul, MN 55116 • 651-699-5811 www.mnyouthsymphonies.org

Claudette & Manny Laureano Co-Artistic Directors

2 MYS Music Education Classes

Music Education Classes with Terry Burk

Minnesota Youth Symphonies is dedicated to providing comprehensive musical experiences for students. Taking advantage of music education classes prepares students for college coursework and enhances their musical experience. These classes are offered as part of the MYS program at no extra charge. Parents and siblings are also welcome to attend. Class sizes are limited and registration is required. To register: e-mail MYS Music Education Instructor Terry Burk at terryburkmys@gmail.com. Please include your name, orchestra, instrument, and the class you are registering for.

Subdivide & Conquer Named in honor of Claudette Laureano’s famous saying “subdivide and conquer”, this course was designed specifically at the request of MYS conductors to help students become better orchestral sight-readers. While incorrect notes and shaky tuning do not sound good when your orchestra rehearses, those errors alone do not bring rehearsal to a screeching halt, however, when the rhythm is lost, the orchestra stops dead. Loss of rhythm is often caused by: • Failing to subdivide the pulse correctly • Practicing alone where one does not have

to match rhythm with other players • Rushing • Counting rests within a measure inaccurately • Missing entrances • Doubling the tempo or cutting it in half

accidentally • Losing track of the pulse of the music in cut

time or compound meter • Failing to honor the conductor's beat

The course will teach you how to figure out any rhythmic passage by breaking it down to its smallest common bits, and then reassembling it to produce the correct rhythm on your own. The course will utilize common sense mathematics, rhythmic brainteasers, and real orchestral excerpts selected from literature MYS orchestras frequently perform. Those of you who successfully complete the course will receive your very own “MYS Rhythm License”, which will be valid for the rest of your years in MYS. Students are strongly encouraged to take this course. This course may become mandatory for all MYS students in future years, so take this course now and become certified, licensed, card-carrying MYS masters of rhythm!

Solfége (sight-singing) This course utilizes solfége sight singing (do, re, mi, etc.) to teach students to “hear in their heads” the music they see on the printed page. This skill is of great benefit to those who wish to strengthen their musicianship and perform better during the sight-reading portion of future MYS auditions. MYS conductors strongly endorse this course, because they have noticed that students who participate in solfége become stronger players in the orchestras. Also, MYS alums have reported that the solfége course was good preparation for conservatory/college music theory and sight-reading. Solfége is also a lot of fun, and singing in four-part harmony is not as difficult at you might think. We will sight sing works selected from classic choral literature including works by Palestrina, Victoria, Byrd, Monteverdi, Schultz, Bach and Mozart – even Bruckner if the class is really stellar!

About Terry Burk Terry holds degrees in composition, music theory, and vocal music education from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. He has taught music theory and ear training at several music schools in the Twin Cities area and currently serves as a music specialist for the Forest Lake Public Schools. Terry joined the MYS staff in 1992.