MUS 254/454 - Jazz Ensemble

Course Syllabus Spring 2017

Larry Nelson, Assistant Professor
Office - Room 207 Foster Music Building
Tel. (859)622-5006
Email: larry.nelson@eku.edu
Office hrs. - office hours will be posted on the schedule outside my office door after the first week of classes (to allow for lesson scheduling)

Catalogue Course Description: (0-1) I,II. Rehearsal and performance of standard Jazz Ensemble literature including jazz improvistaion, jazz styles, and form. Course open by audition only. May be retaken to a maximum of four hours.

Texts/Materials:
There is no required textbook for this course. Recordings and/or other information may be made available to students through the Music Library or the instructor. When appropriate, students are responsible for disposing of educational/fair use copies immediately after their temporary use for rehearsals.

Student Learning Outcomes:

students will demonstrate proper standards of rehearsal and performance etiquette.
students will prepare and perform pieces in the repertory of jazz ensemble, exhibiting an understanding of the fundamentals of jazz style, intonation, technique development, elements of overall musicality.

Additional Expectations:

Students are expected to spend time as necessary practicing their assigned parts.
Students are expected to complete listening and other assignments as given by the instructor.
Students are expected to be present with their instruments(s) and related gear on time at each rehearsal. In case of illness, the instructor should be notified by telephone (622-5006) and/or email (larry.nelson@eku.edu) prior to rehearsal. For emergency absences, the instructor should be notified by telephone and, if possible, by email as soon as possible. In case of any absence (emergency or otherwise), the student is responsible for making sure that their music (and instrument if appropriate) is available at the rehearsal. In particular, if a student shares music with someone else, he or she is responsible for making sure that the music is present at the rehearsal or available to the student with whom they share. Other absences should be discussed with the instructor at least one week prior to the absence.
For those students who "rotate" or share positions with other students (i.e., if there are 2 or more people rotating as piano players, bass players, or drummers), all students should be present at the rehearsal at all times unless permission for the absence is specifically granted by the instructor.
Students are expected to check the bulletin board outside my office as well as the Blackboard site for this class on a frequent, regular basis (as in, every couple days or so) for anouncements and other useful information.

Assessment: Grades will be primarily based upon preparation for rehearsals, successful participation in concerts and other performances, and improvement over the course of study. Failure to adequately prepare, demonstrated lack of interest in improvement, or other failure to meet the expectations listed above or addressed by the instructor will result in deductions from the ensemble grade.

The final grade for the semester will be based upon:

attendance and preparation for rehearsals (40%).
participation in concerts/performances (40%).
demonstrated improvement over the semester (20%).

Attendance Policy: For the purposes of this course, "excused absences" include documented medical emergencies, university approved activities, documented illness and other unforeseen circumstances that the instructor deems to be reasonable excuses.

Unexcused absences after the first one will result in a drop of 1 letter grade per absence. Lateness to rehearsals will be reflected in the rehearsal grade. An unexcused absence to a dress rehearsal (which may be during the regularly scheduled class time or an early "call" to the concert) or to the concert will result in a failing grade for the semester.

Important Dates:

January 16 - Martin Luther King Day; academic holiday
February 8-11 - KMEA conference; please watch for announcements about cancellations and inform the instructor about student absences
February 28 - Chautauqua presentation by jazz scholar Ted Gioia (information on the presenter availablr at http://tedgioia.com/). Watch for possible addition/changes to the schedule relating to his appearance.
March 13-17 - Spring Break; academic holiday
March 19 (Sunday evening) - pending confirmation, "dress" rehearsal for COBB performance
March 20 - Battle of the Big Bands with UK and NKU; Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington
May 4 - Jazz Ensemble concert; 7:30 PM Gifford Theater

Lessons missed due to the above events will be made up as appropriate at a time mutually agreed upon the the student and the instructor.

If other events are scheduled, they will be posted on my door and/or announced during master class, ensembles, or lessons. Students are expected to attend these events unless excused by the instructor.

Last Dates to Drop Courses (from the University Calendar):

No. Weeks of TERM	17
Term Start Date	01/17/17
Term End Date	05/13/17
Last day to ADD or DROP a class. Last day for 100% refund. Last day to change from P/F or Audit to GRADE.	01/22/17
Mid-Term Date:Mid-Term Grades Submission Deadline.	03/06/17
*Last day to WITHDRAW from class without a fee.	02/12/17
*Last Day to WITHDRAW from class. Withdraw fee applies.*	04/9/17
Last day for 75% refund	01/29/17
Last day for 50% refund	02/05/17
Last day for 25% refund	02/12/17
Last Day to Change from Grade to AUDIT or P/F.	02/03/17

*Last day to withdraw without incurring a withdraw fee. Students should withdraw through EKUDirect.

**Last day to withdraw from a course. A $50.00 per credit hour fee will be assessed (e.g. $150.00 for a 3 credit hour course). Students should withdraw through EKUDirect. Please note that students choosing to withdraw from the University (all courses) do not incur this withdraw fee.

"Disability Accommodation Statement:"
The University strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you are registered with the EKU Center for Student Accessibility (CSA), please obtain your accommodation letters from the CSA, present them to the course instructor, and discuss the accommodations needed. If you believe you need an accommodation and are not registered with the CSA, please contact the office in 361 Whitlock Building by email at disserv@eku.edu or by telephone at (859) 622-2933. Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in an alternative format.

A student with a “disability” may be an individual with a physical or psychological impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, to include, but not limited to: seeing, hearing, communicating, interacting with others, learning, thinking, concentrating, sitting, standing, lifting, performing manual tasks, working. Additionally, pregnancy accompanied by a medical condition(s), which causes a similar substantial limitation, may also be considered under the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA).

"Academic Integrity Statement"
Students are advised that EKU's Academic Integrity policy will strictly be enforced in this course. The Academic Integrity policy is available at www.academicintegrity.eku.edu. Questions regarding the policy may be directed to the Office of Academic Integrity.

"Official Email"
An official EKU e-mail is established for each registered student, each faculty member, and each staff member. All university communications sent via e-mail will be sent to this EKU e-mail address. The instructor will make every effort to respond to student emails within 24 hours of receipt during the work week; response over the weekend will be on an "as able" basis.

Recording Waiver
All public performances recorded by the EKU performance ensembles are the sole property of Eastern Kentucky University. Any student registered for this course or listed in the program for any concert or recital waives all claims on any future income generated from these recordings.

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