Paul Rolland
STRING PEDAGOGY SOCIETY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LEVEL 4
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HOW DOES LEVEL 4 DIFFER FROM LEVEL 3?
Level 4 Endorsement in Paul Rolland String Pedagogy is the final portion of a four-part process in Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Certification. Small groups of 2-3 candidates and two private 1/2 hour lessons further refine concepts for each Candidate.
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DO I NEED TO HAVE THE LEVEL 3 ENDORSEMENT BEFORE LEVEL 4?
Level 4 is preceded by Level 1 (a full Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Workshop of at least 17-20 hours approved by the Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Society), Level 2 and Level 3, all taken sequentially with a recommended three-month interval between Levels.
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HOW OFTEN IS LEVEL 4 ENDORSEMENT OFFERED?
Level 4 Endorsement is offered periodically online by the Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Society.
Contact PRSPS for details.
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WHAT TOPICS WILL LEVEL 4 INCLUDE?​
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• Remedial Teaching
• Basic Shifting Movements
• First Steps in Vibrato Teaching
• Bouncing the Bow
• Martelé and Staccato
• Developing Flexibility
• Sustained Bow Strokes, Détaché and Related Bowings
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HOW DO I REGISTER?
The Level 4 Endorsement application is available here. Space will be limited. The deadline to register is three weeks before the beginning of the training. For a timeline of Level 4 click here.
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WHO WILL MY MENTOR BE?
Your mentor will be assigned from a list of experienced mentors. A different mentor is assigned to each Endorsement Level.
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HOW MUCH TIME IS REQUIRED FOR LEVEL 4 ENDORSEMENT TRAINING SESSIONS
The number of hours is approximately 13 to 15. the session schedule is determined by the mentor in consultation with the candidates.
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WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL 4?
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Submission of your pre-instruction video
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Submission of Journal notes on: Instruction sessions, The Teaching of Action in String Playing chapters and films, Rhythm video, and Low String videos if not done previously.
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A teaching evaluation before your peers and a playing evaluation in the form of a post-instruction video
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WHAT MATERIALS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE LEVEL 4 SESSIONS?
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The Teaching of Action in String Playing (book) by Paul Rolland with Marla Mutschler
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The Teaching of Action in String Playing (films) by Paul Rolland, available on Vimeo for purchase or rental. The films are also available on DVD by emailing peterrolland@cox.net
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New Tunes for Strings, Book 1 and New Tunes for Strings, Book 2 for all instruments, and the Teacher Books 1 and 2, by Stanley Fletcher with design by Paul Rolland
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A journal
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Your primary bowed string instrument
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A good internet connection and video capabilities. Headphones or speakers are suggested for optimal listening.
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IS THERE PREPARATION EXPECTED AHEAD OF THE START OF SESSIONS?
Making your pre-instruction video is required. Reading and taking notes on specific chapters and films in The Teaching of Action in String Playing should be done before instruction starts. The detailed curriculum is available after the registration process is completed.
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WILL VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO AND BASS ALL BE ADDRESSED?
The pedagogy is applicable to all stringed instruments.
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MUST I PASS A TEST TO BE GRANTED A LEVEL 4 ENDORSEMENT/ CERTIFICATION?
The Final Evaluation for Level 4 consists of:
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A Teaching Final Evaluation that includes teaching two advanced Rolland Actions and their preliminary steps to a pupil of your choice.
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A Playing Final Evaluation (post-instruction video) of you playing two 16-measure passages of your most advanced piece demonstrating your ability to successfully perform Rolland Actions.
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Submission of a journal of notes from the chapters, films, videos and sessions.
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IS THERE ANY OTHER TRAINING IN PAUL ROLLAND STRING PEDAGOGY BESIDES LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 3, AND LEVEL 4 ENDORSEMENTS?
Yes. There is Presenter Training and Mentor Training that can be taken after Certification in Paul Rolland String Pedagogy or with special permission from the Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Society.
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WILL I RECEIVE CERTIFICATION UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF LEVEL 4?