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Fencing Master's Program |
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| The Fencing Masters Program at San Jose State University, San Jose California, was founded in 1979 by Dr. William M. Gaugler. Maestro Gaugler holds a fencing master's diploma from the Accademia Nazionale di Scherma (National Academy of Fencing) at Naples, Italy. It is the only university program in the United States that offers professional training and certification for fencing teachers. The program's method of instruction is based on the same pedagogical system as that of the Italians: the method employed by Scuola Magistrale Militare di Roma (Military Fencing Masters School of Rome). The text "The Science of Fencing" used for the Program is widely used in Europe in its Italian and German editions. Like every holder of a fencing masters diploma from the National Academy of Fencing in Naples, every graduate of the Program at San Jose State University will have had to pass oral and practical examinations based upon the same material found in the text.
Since 1988 diplomas issued by the program have been recognized by the Italian Fencing Masters Association and are acknowledged as being worthy of international recognition. The program enjoys close ties with the Italian Fencing Masters Association and with the United States Fencing Association Coaches College. |
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| The program prepares candidates for teaching at three levels: Instructor, Provost, and Master at Arms. These require respectively, one (6 semester units), two (12 semester units), and three (18 semester units) academic years of formal training. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The day is divided into three main sessions, the first of which is foil. Because this weapon serves as the foundation for the other two, this session is the longest, running roughly one and one-half hours. Saber instruction follows and runs approximately 30 minutes. Work with the spada (epee) is the last of the three sessions, also running for 30 minutes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class is conducted on Saturdays from 12:00 to 5:00 P.M. in the dance studio at Washington Square Hall on the first floor. Experienced fencers not interested in teaching may also take part. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| During the fall semester lessons are relatively simple. Emphasis is on proper technique, with actions generally executed on command only. In the spring semester actions are commonly executed "in tempo" and with vigorous mobility. Strenuous tactical lessons are covered at this time. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The day's lessons are frequently interspersed with detailed explanations of fencing theory and fine points of proper technique. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Students in the classical "first position"
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| Program director, Maestro William Gaugler, explains the correct execution of an action in detail. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Knowing how to fence is very different from knowing how to teach fencing. Critical pedagogical skills are required if the master is to teach efficiently and effectively. While it is important to be able to correct a student's faults, it is equally important to be sure that mistakes on the part of the master are not at the root of a pupil's problems. Skilled blade work, foot movement, distance and timing are as critical for the master as they are for the pupil. Proper pedagogical responses on his part are vital if the student is to execute his actions succesfully. Frequently, a master's actions are not instinctive and often run contrary to what he has learned as a competitor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Parry exercise: The master extends his sword arm fully, presenting the blade with an advance. Retreating, the student parries and then ripostes along the blade. To facilitate the action the master must relax the sword arm at the elbow as the riposte is delivered to allow the blow to arrive. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Although cutting actions are unique to the saber, fencing theory governing this weapon nevertheless has its foundations in that for foil. To emphasize this relationship, the day's saber lesson typically mirrors the earlier one for foil. The epee lesson that follows likewise bears a similar structure. Emphasizing these similarities establishes for candidates a deeper understanding of fencing theory and insight into the formulation of fencing lessons in any weapon. As the date for final examinations approaches, students are spontaneously quizzed on fencing theory during short rest intervals. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| In addition to the three academic years of study required to qualify for the examination for master at arms, master candidates must also hold a provost certification plus an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Master candidates must also write a thesis on a subject relevant to fencing which must be completed before the date of the final examination, held once each year during the first week of May. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pedagogical Skills: As the student delivers a thrust the instructor keeps her blade close to the opposing steel, compelling the pupil instinctively to close the line while delivering the thrust. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After the spada session, the remainder of the day typically covers work devoted to tactical lessons. Effected in time and with rapid mobility, actions are elicited from the student which randomly terminate in several different ways, depending upon the choice of the master. These lessons suppress efforts on the part of the student to anticipate the master's action and compel him instead to rely on finger sensitivity, the master's blade movements, measure and timing to determine the appropriate attack, defense, or counterattack. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Tactical Lesson: Calling actions aloud, Maestro Gaugler takes a student through a tactical lesson while another master (rear) follows the maestro's lead with a second pupil. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Enrollment in the Fencing Masters Program (Theatre Arts 180, Fencing Pedagogy) is through the SJSU Open University. Application forms and registration information can be obtained by writing the Office of Continuing Education, One Washington Square, San Jose, California 95192-0135. A course description and supplementary reference materials can be found in Prof. Gaugler's "The Science of Fencing" (1997), "A Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology" (1997), and "The History of Fencing" (1998). These companion volumes can be obtained directly from Laureate Press, Tel. 1-800-946-2727. Questions about the program may be directed to: |
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William M. Gaugler, Maestro di Scherma |
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See a photo review of the Second |
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