Philosophical Implications on Trombone Performance and Pedagogy in Andre Lafosse's Curriculum at the Paris Conservatory

During his tenure as the professor of trombone at the Paris Conservatory, Andre Lafosse wrote the Traite de Pedagogie du Trombone a Coulisse addressing trombone pedagogy that was to be studied in conjunction with his method and etude books, Methode Complete de Trombone and Vade Mecum du Tromboniste. The pedagogic philosophy reflects Lafosse's own experiences as an orchestral musician in France in the early 20th century. Lafosse designed and used his treatise to prepare students to be effective teachers after their graduation from the Conservatory. The scope of preparation for Lafosse's trombone class, however, was limited. He did not attempt to provide a text or tutor that would prepare trombonists for any career in music: Lafosse was primarily concerned with orchestral trombone playing, as reflected in musical exercises, instrument designation, and repertoire references. Solo performance skills are also explained at length in his treatise, and Lafosse includes his own solo transcriptions in the curriculum. This emphasis placed on performing as a soloist appears to oppose Lafosse's implied preference for orchestral performance. Throughout his career as a trombone professor Andre Lafosse compiled and wrote music that emphasized elements of trombone technique based on the French solo and orchestral repertoire. His primary concern as a teacher was developing the skills for an orchestral career in France, but his method was to use exercises that focused on certain technical aspects of trombone performance. The exercises and etudes chosen were all influenced by French music regarding the skills deemed important by Lafosse (i.e. those required by the French orchestral and solo repertoire) and the acoustic design of the trombone in France in the early 20th century. Considering the holistic context of Lafosse'ss role at the Paris Conservatory, Lafosse's curriculum and methodology should be deemed appropriately designed for the best interest of the students. In the following pages the implications of Lafosse's philosophy will be explored in order to understand the basis for his ideas, and his pedagogic approach will be evaluated in the context of the mid 20th century. The purpose of these endeavors is to discover Lafosse's reasoning and its appropriateness within a synchronic context.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2005

Author dc:creator

• English, Bryan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kagarice, Vern
• Corporon, Eugene
• Baker, Tony

• Lafosse, André, b. 1890.
• Conservatoire national supérieur de musique.
• orchestral performance
• trombone
• pedagogy
• Paris Conservatory

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• English, Bryan
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 63178269
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4780/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4780

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4780