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Small Chamber Music Ensemble Syllabus Fall 2022

Instructor: Dr. Kristin Leitterman

Office Location: Fine Arts 117

Email: kleitterman@astate.edu

Phone: 870-680-8054

Office Hours: By appointment

Course Description

From the Undergraduate Bulletin:

SMALL ENSEMBLES (MUS 3370 & 3371): Vocal, woodwind, brass, handbell, guitar, and percussion performance ensembles. Periodic tours. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

Course Objectives

The primary goal of this course is to rehearse and perform the highest quality chamber literature from all periods of classical music as well as popular idioms.

Students will demonstrate improvement in performance skills related to:

  • Tone, blend, balance, and intonation
  • Tempo, dynamics, articulation, and phrasing
  • Clefts, key signatures, rhythmic patterns
  • Proper application of musical terms
  • Following instructions of the conductor and section leaders

Program Level Outcomes

Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education

  • The student will interpret music from a cross-section of musical styles.
  • The student will perform music from a cross-section of musical styles in the major performance area.
  • The student will display instructional skills sufficient to teach and/or assist instrumentalists in school ensembles.

Bachelor of Music

  • The student will work independently to prepare performances at the highest possible level as a performer or a composer.
  • The student will apply aural, improvisational, and language skills, knowledge of styles and performance practices, and general historical and cultural knowledge as required by the focus of the major.
  • The student will utilize basic concepts, tools, techniques, and procedures to perform and/or develop a composition.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

  • The student will read and realize musical notation.
  • The student will hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, texture.
  • The student will recognize a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.

Master of Music in Performance

  • The student will develop advanced capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and professional decisions.
  • The student will demonstrate professional capability.
  • The student will write effectively and professionally on a subject that is relevant.
  • The student will demonstrate competency in repertory and historical performance practices.
  • The student will demonstrate proficiency in one or more fields of music outside their major.

Course requirements and evaluation procedures

Grading

  • 3371: Final grades will be based 50% on attendance and preparation in coachings and 50% on performances. Unexcused absences or failure to attend a performance may result in the lowering of the course grade by a full letter grade per absence.
  • 3370: Credit will be assigned based on attendance and preparation in coachings as well as on performances. Unexcused absences or failure to attend a performance may result in the assigning of a No-Credit (NC) designation.

Membership is encouraged of all music majors. Others are made on the recommendation of the instructor.

Grading will be based on attendance and preparedness for rehearsals and concerts. Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is required. Individual preparation of music is the responsibility of the student. With only one rehearsal per week it is imperative that the ensemble members spend time practicing parts outside of rehearsal. A weekly 60 minute coaching will be schedule between the ensemble and the instructor. It is expected that the small ensemble will schedule another regular weekly rehearsal time as well without the instructor. Each lesson and performance will be assigned a grade based on the guidelines below (taken directly from the Undergraduate Bulletin.)

  • A - Excellent: For outstanding achievement
  • B - Good: For less that outstanding but demonstrating better performances than the normal competency required for satisfactory progress toward graduation
  • C - Satisfactory: For performance that demonstrates the normal competency required for satisfactory progress toward graduation
  • D - Poor: For performance that meets minimum course requirements but is below standards required for satisfactory progress toward graduation
  • F - Failure: For performance that does not meet minimum course requirements and for which no degree credit is justified

Grading System

  • A: 90–100%
  • B: 80–89%
  • C: 70–79%
  • D: 60–69%
  • F: 0–59%

Performance Requirement

Each student will be required to perform with the group on at least one (if not more) culminating event throughout the semester. Performing as a member of a group requires an individual commitment to supporting the group as a whole and absences will only be excused in the most extreme circumstances.

Participation and Rehearsal

Rehearsals in group settings are for coordinating ensemble skills and are not to be spent on individual preparation of parts. The time is for making musical decisions as a group and learning the parts of our peers to better understand the musical context of our own parts in comparison. Students are expected to practice their parts outside of these rehearsals and are encouraged to seek help individually in their private lessons.

University and Classroom Policies

Instrument Syllabus Statement

University-owned instruments are provided to students in this course at the discretion of the course instructor and in collaboration with our department faculty. All instruments must be checked out and checked in with oversight from a music department faculty member using the QR code found on each instrument. All accessories distributed with the instrument must also be accounted for upon check out and check in. Instructors may ask that students provide their own instrument accessories. Instruments must be returned at the conclusion of the course or needed use (i.e. last concert of the semester or last cycle of techniques). Failure to return an instrument and any distributed accessories at the designated time will result in a hold being placed on the student’s account for the retail replacement cost of the instrument and/or accessories or those of equal function until the instrument and/or accessories are returned.

Notice Concerning the Possibility of Interruption of Instruction Due to Emergency

While it is the goal of Arkansas State University to offer face-to-face classes for its on-campus programs, the university recognizes that in the event of emergency it may become necessary to shift courses into hybrid or online delivery modes. The recent experience of the COVID-19 pandemic made this necessary; however, the same need to shift could be the product of other natural or civil disasters, and could be for short or extended periods of time. To prepare, this means nearly every course offered will have a component where high-speed, reliable internet access is essential to course success. Other technology such as web cameras or specific software may be required by instructors to facility remote instruction (please consult the A-State Internet and Technical Services website for more details). Students are strongly encouraged to secure broadband access they can use for the semester either on or off campus. In the event of the need to change the mode of instruction, A-State will endeavor to keep as many on-campus facilities and support areas open as possible dependent on the circumstances of the emergency. Please remember, all official notifications are made through your official A-State email account, the university website, and Blackboard Learn. You are responsible for checking your university email to ensure you receive the latest updates regarding this course.

Procedures to Accommodate Students with Disabilities

Students who require academic adjustments in the classroom or by way of the web due to a disability must first register with Arkansas State Disability Services (870-972-3964). Following registration and within the first two weeks of class, please contact me to discuss appropriate academic accommodations, technology requirements, software and hardware specifics and requirements. Appropriate arrangements can be made to ensure equal access to this course.

Sexual Misconduct Policy

Arkansas State works to provide a safe, productive learning environment. Title IX and university policy prohibit sexual discrimination, when regards sexual misconduct - including harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Sexual violence can undermine students’ academic success. If you have been sexually assaulted, you can immediately speak with someone at NEARK’s Family Crisis Center’s 24-hour Sexual Assault Line: (870) 933-9449. Reports to law enforcement can be made to the University Police Department: (870) 972-2093. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, support can be provided from the Counseling Center, and Pack Support. The Student Health Center provides Sexual Assault resources. Alleged violations can be reported non-confidentially to the Title-IX and Institutional Equity office. It provides local, state and national resources for counseling, law enforcement, medical treatment, financial assistance, and legal services.

Attendance Policy

Absences eligible for excuse are those such as a university excuse, medical excuse, or extreme weather related problems. These excused absences must be documented and communicated to me either: 1) in advance for the planned absences, or 2) as soon as possible (within 3 days) following the illness or event that led to an unplanned absence; with a doctor’s note, university excuse, or official documents relating to your absence. For further information about A-State’s Attendance Policy:

Academic Misconduct Policy

Plagiarism (the act of taking and/or using the ideas, work, and/or writings of another person as one’s own) is a serious offense against academic integrity, which could result in failure for the paper or assignment, failure for the course, and/or expulsion from Arkansas State University. Plagiarism usually involves passing off the work, words, or ideas of others as your own without giving proper credit. If you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please ask your instructor. Cheating is an act of dishonesty with the intention of obtaining and/or using information in a fraudulent manner. For further information, including specifics about what constitutes plagiarism or cheating, see A-State’s Academic Integrity Policy at:

Flexibility Clause

The aforementioned requirements, assignments, and policies are subject to change. Student experiences and needs will be considered in modifying this course syllabus. The instructor reserves the right to make changes as deemed necessary.

Inclement Weather

Information on campus closure can be found on the A-State web page, KASU, and local radio and television stations. If inclement weather prevents you from coming to campus and campus is not closed, please email me at kleitterman@astate.edu or call 870-680-8054.

Credits:

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