Stephen and Joellen Miller are a husband and wife team who serve the Notre Dame community as instructors and facilitators of the guitar program at the University of Notre Dame Department of Music at Crowley Hall. They use their own Guitar Academy method to teach beginning to intermediate students. Joellen specializes in beginning guitar and Stephen in intermediate to advanced instruction including classical repertoire. They also own and operate Miller Guitar Academy serving the South Bend/ Michiana area with unique programs that promote the enjoyment of music as an interactive discipline. They and their students perform on a regular basis in the community.

GUITAR CLASSES
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS*

GUITAR I- MUS 213D / Sect. 01 (No Prerequisite)

*IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS ENROLL FOR CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE

Beginning Guitar
Includes reading standard notation, ear training, intro to chords and solo pieces using fingerstyle and classical techniques (plucking with the fingers instead of a pick).The style of the music ranges from Blues to Beethoven.

Description and Grading- Guitar I is a step by step, user friendly, interactive approach that is fun, yet challenging. Students play music immediately. Ear training, note reading and visualization are used as tools to help. Students are graded by attendance, participation and preparedness.

Goals for Guitar I

1. To develop confidence playing simple solos and group pieces.

2. To introduce foundational music skills of reading, ear training, rhythm and harmony.

3. To explore the guitar as an expressive vehicle for art music and more than a mere instrument to accompany singing. To play pieces that are of artistic interest and craft at the beginning level.

This course is meant for those that have:

1. never had any formal training on the guitar reading standard notation.(see note below)

2. only played with a pick and have had no fingerstyle or classical technique.(see note below)

3. not played the guitar at all.

4. had no experience on any instrument.

5. had training on other instruments, but not guitar.(see note below)

Note to guitarists and or those with formal training on other instruments:
If you have played the guitar and have not had any formal training that includes reading standard notation on the guitar or right hand Fingerstyle techniques, you must enroll in Guitar I. If you can assimilate the material in Book I of Guitar Academy, you may move to Guitar II by request within the first few weeks of classes. Likewise if you have experience reading music in voice or instrumental study other than guitar you may move to Guitar II if you can assimilate the material in the first few weeks of guitar I. If you are not sure in which level you should enter contact Stephen Miller at: smiller2@nd.edu

ATTENTION!
ANY WORTHWHILE STUDY OF AN INSTRUMENT REQUIRES DAILY PRACTICE ON A CONSISTANT BASIS. GUITAR IS NO EXCEPTION. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A BEGINING CLASS AT AN ELECTIVE LEVEL, EACH STUDENT IS EXPECTED TO COME TO EACH CLASS PREPARED HAVING PRACTICED THE ASSIGNED MATERIAL. ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL, BUT DAILY PRACTICE AT LEAST FOUR TIMES A WEEK FOR AT LEAST 1/2 HOUR IS ALSO REQUIRED.

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GUITAR II- MUS 213D / Sect. 02

*IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS ENROLL FOR CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE

Expanding the Fundamentals, Book II Guitar Academy- for those who have had Guitar I or equivalent training Includes ensemble pieces, solos, chords and arpeggios.

Note to guitarists: If you have played the guitar and have not had any formal training that includes reading standard notation on the guitar or right hand Fingerstyle techniques, you must enroll in Guitar I. If you can assimilate the material in Book I, you may move to Guitar II by request within the first few weeks of classes. Anyone enrolling in guitar II must have training equivalent to guitar I. If you are not sure that you have, you must contact Stephen Miller at 255-9343. smiller2@nd.edu

Description- Guitar II builds on the fundamentals of Guitar I using the same step by step interactive approach. Harmony is developed by learning solo and ensemble music. The styles range from a traditional hymn to Folk and Blues pieces. Technical goals include: strengthening the fourth finger of the left hand, independence of the fingers, arpeggio and chord building.

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GUITAR III- MUS 213 D / sect. 03V

*IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS ENROLL FOR CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE

Beyond the Fundamentals, Book III Guitar Academy- for those who have had Guitar II or equivalent. Intermediate music including solos, ensemble pieces, advanced techniques.

Note to guitarists: Anyone enrolling in guitar III must have training equivalent to guitar II. If you are not sure that you have, you must contact Stephen Miller at 255-9343. smiller2@nd.edu

Description- Guitar III continues in a step-by-step format with interactive group pieces as well as solos. Styles include Classical, Blues and Spanish selections as well as repertoire pieces by Fernando Sor and Carulli. Technical goals include: playing in different keys, arpeggios, strumming patterns and development of right hand alternating. The music has greater depth and difficulty.

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GUITAR IV- MUS 413 D - INCLUDES JAZZ STUDIES

*IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS ENROLL FOR CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE

For those who have had Guitar III or equivalent studies. Includes position studies, advanced repertoire preparation, solo and ensemble pieces.

This course is meant for those that have had some formal training on the guitar or music reading on the guitar.

Description- Guitar IV is an interactive approach that is meant for guitarists who have a serious interest in guitar studies. The music includes contemporary tutorials and advanced repertoire studies that prepare the student for solo and ensemble playing. The tutorials take the student into the higher positions thus exploring the greater range of the guitar. The music includes a jazz piece as well as popular classical pieces.

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PRIVATE- MUS 413 D

THE STUDENT MUST HAVE A NYLON STRING CLASSIC GUITAR.

For those who have had Guitar IV or equivalent studies.

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Stephen Miller has taught at Notre Dame since 1986. He has worked professionally as a guitarist, composer and instructor since 1980. As a guitarist he has performed throughout the Midwest and California as a soloist and in ensembles performing original works as well as classical and jazz works from Bach to Ellington. He holds a bachelors in Music Composition from Indiana University and a Masters in Music Composition and Guitar Performance from the University of Redlands, CA.. He studied with Terry Graves of the Falla Trio and William Kanengiser of the L.A. Guitar Quartet. Stephen also studied composition with Barney Childs at the University of Redlands. Stephen and his wife Joellen have published their own instructional series Guitar Academy.

Joellen Miller has assisted Stephen since 1992 as an instructor and tutor. She has studied with Stephen since 1991 and with him is owner and operator of Miller Guitar Academy in Mishawaka, Indiana. Joellen specializes in teaching beginners and children. She is also co-creator of the instructional series Guitar Academy.

Last Revised: 7/8/05