The Ohio State University
Professor Katherine Borst Jones
309 Weigel Hall, 1866 College Road
614-292-4618 or jones.6@osu.edu
Philosophy and Expectations
Learning is a shared responsibility between teacher and student. It is the teacher’s responsibility to share knowledge, resources and experience in a positive environment. It is the student’s responsibility to enter the studio with an open mind, a willingness to learn and a work ethic dedicated towards improvement and excellence. Teacher and student share the goal of working towards each student’s full potential. Like a good detective, our creative energies are used to build awareness, motivation, practice and listening skills. At first the student will be directed using specific methods to cover the fundamental techniques of playing. Practice techniques will be developed, pedagogy issues discussed and resources explored in the studio and by the use of independent projects. The ultimate goal is for the student to become his/her own teacher. Professor Jones strives to share the joy of learning, to make expectations known, to present challenges, and to provide opportunities to enable each student to build confidence and a constructive inner dialogue. Her goal is to increase the student’s musical vocabulary and techniques of playing so that each student’s unique voice may be heard. Developing the skills for making music is a journey without a final destination. The common goal is to communicate through the art of music and to keep the love of music flourishing.
Students are expected to come to lessons on time, prepared, with an instrument in good working condition and with all appropriate materials including notebook, pencil, metronome, tuner, recording device and assigned music.
Learning is achieved differently by each of us. Both standard and alternative approaches to learning and pedagogy will be explored, including the use of technology. Students are expected to do outside research, listening and reading. Look up all the terms on your music. Learn about the composer of the piece being studied and listen to recordings of other pieces by the same composer. Know the historical context of the piece being studied.
Multiple instructional strategies involving all the senses will be used to solve problems. Alexander Technique, performance enhancement techniques, strength training, eurhythmics and the oral tradition of learning will be used as appropriate. Practicing techniques will be explored. Students will be encouraged to make thoughtful choices with regard to time management. Students may ask to attend a colleague's lesson to take notes and share the learning process.
Students should be observant, watching for information and opportunities listed on bulletin boards, email and publications. Check your email at least once a day for opportunities and announcements. Attend concerts on and off campus. Music is an aural art; enrich your own music making by listening to others, live, in person.
Professor Jones continues to be an active performer on campus and in the local community as well as throughout the nation and world. She does her utmost to attend all students' performances, both in recitals and large ensembles. Students are expected to do the same for her. There is a concert attendance policy for every semester; become familiar with this policy.
Listening to live music enhances the learning process. It is the best way to learn repertoire and observe performance techniques while also making contacts for the future. Students must attend ALL flute concerts and festivals, guest artist recitals, and master classes held on campus. Professor Jones expects a best effort attendance of the same events in the Columbus area. Attendance at concerts presented by local arts organizations such as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica of Columbus, Chamber Music Columbus, Columbus Bach Ensemble, Opera Columbus and the Early Music Columbus is encouraged. Students will have the opportunity to learn the current realities of performance while enriching our experience and heightening our individual expectations. Networking skills will thus be enhanced. Annual attendance at such conventions at OMEA, NFA and MTNA are also encouraged.
Listening to recorded music and reading journals and other materials also enhances the learning process. Readily accessible in the Music/Dance Library (second floor of the 18th Avenue Library) are journals such as Flute Talk and the Flutist Quarterly, Chamber Music America and the Instrumentalist as well as other fine journals. Students are encouraged to join the National Flute Association, Chamber Music America, Music Teachers National Conference and Music Educators National Conference.
While the world of music is a competitive field, there are always places for those with the talent, work ethic and initiative to succeed. Enhance your strengths and develop your weaknesses. Teacher and student will work together in an environment of camaraderie and helpfulness to develop each person's unique package. Students are expected to show respect toward faculty and peers while enjoying a professional yet friendly atmosphere. Learning is for life; it is a shared responsibility and a joy. Passion and persistence prevail!
Disability Policy
At Ohio State, students with documented disabilities can receive a variety of services and assistance from the Office for Disability Services. The mission of the Office for Disability Services is “to provide and coordinate support services and programs that enable students with disabilities to receive equal access to an education and all aspects of University life.” If appropriate, you are encouraged to contact ODS should their services enhance your work in this class. This office is located in 150 Pomerene Hall; ODS may be contacted at 614-292-3307 or via Office for Disability Services.
- Ohio State faculty Syllabus Disability Statement [pdf] - Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Professor Jones privately to discuss your specific needs. Contact ODS as noted above to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Flute Study Requirements
Individual Lessons
Individual lessons are 55 minutes in length, once a week, to be arranged. Check email and/or the door of Weigel 309 on Fridays for the following week’s schedule. Every attempt will be made to keep a regular schedule. Be on time and properly warmed up for lessons. Bring all appropriate materials including a manuscript notebook. Recording devices are welcome. Cancellations and changes will be made up as possible. Messages may be left at 614-292-4618 and texts at 614-571-8820. If you must change a lesson time, make every attempt to trade lessons with a colleague. A missed lesson will result in an F for that lesson. Two unexcused absences will lower your grade by a letter.
Flute Studio Classes
Flute studio classes are Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:30 a.m. Check email and the door of Weigel 309 for room and class assignments. Four performances are expected each semester. Performance majors and graduate students will perform every other week as time permits.
Jury
A performance exam is required each semester for all first year students and for all level changes and performance majors (both undergraduate and graduate), with the exception of DMA students who will play once a year. Other jury exams will be at the discretion of Professor Jones. The jury grade represents 25% of the semester grade. Juries are held during finals week. Sign up for a time on the schedule sheets posted on the woodwind bulletin board during the last week of class. Jury material is selected two to three weeks before the end of the semester from the material learned that particular semester. This includes scales, etudes, excerpts and a solo piece at the discretion of the teacher. A midterm will be held in the seventh week of the semester to test scale requirements. Students will be expected to perform in studio classes as assigned. Performance majors are required to learn and memorize one excerpt or piece by memory each semester.
Woodwind Studio Recitals
Woodwind studio recitals are held Tuesdays or Fridays at 11:30 a.m. instead of flute studio. Dates and rooms will be posted. Attendance is mandatory for all students taking lessons. Each unexcused absence will lower a student’s semester grade by 1/3 of a letter grade. To perform, fill out the appropriate form and turn it in to Professor Jones. A minimum of one performance per year is required for performance majors.
Chamber Music
Sign up for chamber music credit for every semester possible. Seek out duet partners. In addition, plan to spend one hour per week sight-reading and preparing duets for performances on Monday nights and other events. Form chamber ensembles with colleagues and rehearse at least twice a week. Coaching is obtained by asking a professor.
Recital Attendance
ALL STUDENTS are expected to attend ALL flute recitals on campus including faculty, guest and student recitals. Support your faculty and colleagues. Attend all faculty concerts and all band and orchestra concerts (refer to the current Concerts at Ohio State brochure and the School of Music Event calendar). Attendance at other events on campus is encouraged. Attend Columbus Symphony, ProMusica, Chamber Music Columbus, Opera Columbus, CAPA programs and other off-campus events, as many as possible. Freshmen and sophomores are required to attend 14 recitals or concerts each semester of study. Critiques of five of these plus all programs are to be submitted by the last day of classes each semester. Programs and critiques should be submitted to Professor Jones in a folder with a copy of the Semester Concert Attendance Report, available in the front office of Weigel 110. Critiques are to be one page in length (typed). Juniors and seniors will complete individual projects. One-page written project descriptions are due the third week of the semester. Failure to complete this requirement will result in the loss of one letter grade.
Listening and Library/Web Assignments
Assignments will be made as appropriate. Read Flute Talk and the Flutist Quarterly regularly. Plan your schedule to listen to recordings frequently. Sign out and sight-read music from the library's extensive collection to improve your knowledge of literature as well as your sight-reading skills. Keep a record of pieces performed during studio classes and other performances.
Professional attitude, appearance and preparation are expected at all times.
Academic Integrity (Academic Misconduct)
Academic integrity is essential to maintaining an environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and other educational and scholarly activities. Thus, The Ohio State University and the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) expect that all students have read and understand the University’s Code of Student Conduct, and that all students will complete all academic and scholarly assignments with fairness and honesty. Students must recognize that failure to follow the rules and guidelines established in the University’s Code of Student Conduct and this syllabus may constitute “Academic Misconduct.”
The Ohio State University’s Code of Student Conduct (Section 3335-23-04) defines academic misconduct as “...any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the university, or subvert the educational process.” Examples of academic misconduct include (but are not limited to) plagiarism, collusion (unauthorized collaboration), copying the work of another student, and possession of unauthorized materials during an examination. Ignorance of the university’s Code of Student Conduct is never considered an excuse for academic misconduct, so students are strongly urged to review the Code of Student Conduct, specifically the sections dealing with academic misconduct.
If a faculty member suspects that a student has committed academic misconduct in any course, the instructor is obligated by university rules to report their suspicions to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. If COAM determines that you have violated the university’s Code of Student Conduct (i.e. committed academic misconduct), the sanctions for the misconduct could include a failing grade in the course and suspension or dismissal from the university.
If you have any questions about the above policy or what constitutes academic misconduct in this course, please contact Professor Jones.
Other sources of information on academic misconduct (integrity) to which you can refer include:
- Committee on Academic Misconduct website
- Eight Cardinal Rules of Academic Integrity from Northwestern University
[pdf] — Some links on this page are to Adobe .pdf files requiring the use of Adobe Reader. If you need them in a more accessible format, please contact jones.6@osu.edu.