Baylor Percussion Core Curriculum Keyboard

Baylor Percussion Applied Study

Applied study within the Baylor Percussion Department refers to weekly private
lessons with Professor Meehan and a weekly studio class that together serve as the
cornerstone of our students percussion education. During their first two years of
study (lower-level), students will follow the Baylor Percussion Core Curriculum as
described below. Once students reach upper level study, individual curricula will be
tailored to the musical interests and goals of each student.

Grading

All lessons/juries/recitals/performances will be assessed using the Applied Study

Assessment Form. These forms will be emailed to the student following each lesson
and will include comments and assignments for the following week. Students are
required to keep a personal practice log and must present it to Professor Meehan at
the beginning of each lesson.

40% Weekly lessons

20% Technique jury (for freshmen and sophomores)
20% Final jury (will count as 40% for upperclassmen in place of a technique jury)
20% Studio class performance/attendance/participation

Attendance

Unexcused absences for all scheduled lessons and studio classes are not permitted
and will result in a grade of 0 for that particular week. Each student will receive 14
lessons per semester. Attendance is crucial for proper development and progress in
applied study.
Statement

Keyboard study offers the percussionist the opportunity to combine melodic,

harmonic, and rhythmic elements into one area of performance. Primary focus will be
placed on two and four mallet instruction pertaining to marimba, xylophone, and
vibraphone. The student will attain a fundamental understanding of all pertinent
approaches and techniques and will develop a superb level of musicianship through
the study of keyboard literature.

Study

Personalized keyboard curricula will be developed based on the needs of the

individual student and the level of competency displayed at the beginning of the
semester. The curriculum is based on a 14-week semester that will begin with a
heavy emphasis on technique, gradually transforming into greater emphasis on
repertoire and issues of musicality. Technique studies will emphasize basic keyboard
approach (2 or 4 mallet depending on semester) and its relationship to technical
exercises such as those found in the Green, Stevens, and Stout texts. Repertoire will
range from etudes and solos (covering a historical range of Bach to the present) to
orchestral repertoire.

Materials

All students must purchase the following materials at the beginning of the semester.

1. George Hamilton Green Instruction Course for Xylophone (two mallet)

2. Pasquale Bona Rhythmical Articulation (two mallet)
3. Leigh H. Stevens Method of Movement (four mallet)
4. Bart Quartiers 20 Childrens Songs for Marimba (four mallet)
5. John Bergamo Style Studies (four mallet)
6. Gordon Stout Etudes (two and four mallet)
7. A selection of appropriate mallets based on the semester of study (Baylor
Percussion Personal Mallet and Instrument Suggestions Form)
Additional Recommendations

The following material is not required but is highly recommended for supplemental
keyboard studies. Portions of the following materials WILL be used in the keyboard
curriculum. If the student does not own a particular text from the following list,
Professor Meehan will provide copies when needed in the lesson.

1. Orchestral repertoire Compilations by Carroll (AND GET THE ORIGINALS FROM ME

OR THE ORCHESTRA LIBRARY!)
2. David Hickman Music Speed Reading
3. Specific marimba/vibraphone solo repertoire will be suggested by Professor
Meehan on an individual student basis