THE BRITISH BMG FEDERATION TEACHERS COURSE

The British BMG Federation is currently developing a second Course for Mandolin Teachers or people who wish to teach in the future. The course can be used in preparation for one of any of the diploma exams or as part of a continuing professional development without sitting an exam.

This course is open to people who wish to participate in the whole weekend or any part of the course.

Possible Qualifications

The course will prepare participants for the Diploma exams with either Victoria College of Music or for those who specialise in Scottish Traditional Music in for the exam with the ICMA.

The diploma syllabus with Victoria College of Music was established in 2002 in conjunction with the British BMG Federation. These examinations will be held at three levels: The Diploma in Mandolin Education, the Associateship in Mandolin Education and the Licentiateship in Mandolin Education.

The Independent Contemporary Music Awards (ICMA) offer a Teachers’ Diploma DIP.MUS.T.(ICMA) in which the pieces for the practical examination and methods of teaching examination can be selected from the repertoire of Scottish Traditional music.

Complete Course – Free Standing Workshops

Participation is possible for either the complete course or for part of it.

Duration of the whole course is five weekends (three short weekends, two long weekends).

Course tutors

The general contents of the course will be taught by two experienced tutors in residence: Keith Harris and Steffi Rauch who will cover Teaching Methodology, Mandolin Technique, History, Repertoire & Form and who will offer participants individual lessons.

Further tutors will be:

Nigel Gatherer – Scottish Music

Rob MacKillop – Early Scottish Music for Fretted Instruments

David Griffiths – Latin Mandolin

Alison Stephens – Raffaele Calace

Dave Boyd – The teaching of Groups

NN – The Mandolin Music of North America 

Course Contents

The available time is split into  roughly four parts:

1. Methodology

Methodology will deal with the basic of how to teach (e.g. aims, structuring contents, lesson observations).

Pupils will have certain needs in common, regardless of their technical and/or musical competence or those of the teacher (whether one is more interested in playing Scottish traditional music, bluegrass, or the concert repertoire).

There will be a strong link between the practical side of the course (instrumental techniques) the history and the methodology. The topic of a discussion and practical exploration could be a piece characteristic of a certain time or style. Participants would play the piece, think about its characteristics in relation to the time and how they would teach this piece.

2. Practical work

Instrumental technique  - one hour daily- the session will cover basic techniques and techniques related to certain styles or periods of time.

Individual lessons – one hour (1.5 on long weekends) per weekend- These will have at their core preparation for the examination. The needs of participants may well vary, however, and the teachers will try as much as possible to address individual needs.

Ensemble leading - During these sessions participants will learn and practise aspects of leading an ensemble: basic conducting movements, literature for ensemble and interpretation of music.

3. Scottish Music

The course will cover music from the 17^th century to modern times with an emphasis on Scottish “traditional” music. Different regional styles and their characteristics and their possible application to the mandolin will be discussed and explored in practical sessions.

The mandolin syllabus of the ICMA and the listed repertoire, which is taken from Scottish traditional music will be discussed.

4.   History and Repertoire

The candidates will gain an overview of music history. Music history will be explored alongside practical examples through which the participants will learn about the different types of mandolins used at that time, the instrumental techniques and the repertoire.

Course Material

Course material in the form of handouts will be provided, and “homework” (of a pleasant and stimulating sort!) – the results of which will be analysed and discussed - will be an integral part of the course. In preparation for each weekend participants will receive sheet music, worksheet or a list of resources (books or sheet music).