Prima Vista

As a musician, whether you are performing or teaching, the importance of sight reading can not be stressed enough. It´s a highly complex activity that involves many different skills. In this course we will methodically develop and improve sight reading facilities, refining the ones we already have some facility with, and developing those that need more attention.

Language of instruction: English.

Course instructor: Eva Beneke.

Students will

• be able to read a repertoire of progressive difficulty
• improve focus
• develop a habit of “relaxed concentration”
• master correct note reading, rhythmic precision, dynamics, stylistic detail
• develop an understanding of the importance of high sight reading skills for life as a working musician
• relate what they learn to the study of their solo repertoire or chamber and orchestra parts

The course is a practice lab for sight-reading. The course focuses on mental processes and common methods of sight-reading praxis, such as short-term memory, looking ahead, reading individual hands, recognizing shapes and patterns, transferring and application of ear training and theory skill.

The repertoire of progressive difficulty will be read with emphasis on dynamics, stylistic details, rhythmic and note precision etc. Materials will be chosen in order to prepare for the challenges of a gig-based job market, as well as orchestra parts and chamber music.

Course structure depends on the instrument group. The structure is chosen by the respective teacher (for ex.: the course can be organised as a bi-weekly group class with student-led group work during the other week (guitar), or a weekly group class (strings). It can also be held weekly as a one-on-one lesson (piano), or in small groups of 2-3 (harp).

Active participation in the course is required. More than 20% absence from class will normally cause the student to fail the subject.