Files
Abstract
The study of orchestral excerpts is very important for the future career of young college students playing orchestral instruments. unfortunately, during their four-year curriculum, there are not many opportunities for students to learn how to prepare orchestral excerpts except during their lesson times. due to a lack of opportunities, students often resort to studying excerpts by themselves, or starting in a limited way. additionally, pedagogical references to viola orchestral excerpts are not voluminous; there is not one book solely devoted to the study of them. instead, there are just a few journals, videos of masterclasses, and two cd guides on this topic. a greater number of resources can be found if we broaden the subject to the problems that players might have while practicing excerpts. however, undergraduate students have less experience and fewer practice techniques that allow them more independent study.This paper will guide students to further their independent study of the selected excerpts without missing important details. the recommendations in this paper are compiled from references by professional players and from my own observations. i will analyze some intricate details in a selection of standard viola excerpts, including works by Mendelssohn, Strauss, Shostakovich, Copland, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms. this paper offers a detailed discussion of practice methods for each of these works along with their purpose and result by presenting examples connecting each method to certain parts of excerpts. i believe the skills covered in my study of the selected excerpts will assist students in their future studies of other excerpts.