A primary function of syllabi for university music performance studies is the prescription of both compulsory and recommended module materials. However, as South African universities lack comprehensive syllabi for tuba performance studies, the aim of this study was the proposition of such a syllabus for use in the various institutions. The key research problem focused on the aspects that ought to be considered in the compilation of these syllabi. The emerging sub-questions sought to determine the extent to which lecturers use these syllabi to prescribe materials to their students; the various components, design process and limitations of the existing syllabi, and the systems/tools available for the grading of solo tuba repertoire as an integral process in syllabus compilation. In the absence of a suitable system for this purpose of grading solo repertoire for various years of university study, I designed a system based on existing systems, data from respondents, all informed by my experience as a university tuba lecturer and performer.
I performed a literature review and complemented this by conducting interviews with national and international tuba lecturers who were selected according to specific criteria. Through the integration of the literature, collected documents and the thematic analysis of the interview transcripts, I suggested a framework for the layout, and ideas for compilation of the administrative and music-orientated components of a syllabus for university tuba performance studies. By the utilisation of the syllabus compilation suggestions and framework, university tuba lecturers are hereby presented with a source for the compilation of their own syllabi. Additionally, they have at their disposal a system that can accurately and comprehensively grade various repertoire pieces that may be used as the content of repertoire lists within their syllabi, and from which various works may be chosen to fulfil the requirements of their specific modules.
Key words: university tuba performance syllabus, tuba curriculum, grading system, music syllabus, university tuba studies
