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Small Jazz Band Arranging Class Syllabus Spring 09

Course: Music 317-Class #3924, Section #001, 3 units (upper division)

Small Jazz Band Arranging: Arrangin for two, three, and four parts in a jazz style is explored. Instrumental and vocal orchestration is studied.

Day/Time/Location: MWF 3-3:50 pm, Ives 101, SSU Campus

Instructor: Pete Estabrook office hours by appointment (one hour before or after class if a personal meeting is necessary) in room TBA

Text: Modern Jazz Voicings: Arranging for Small and Medium Jazz Ensembles by Ted Pease and Ken Pullig (published by Berklee Press) Book (isbn # 0-634-01443-9). This text is required for the course and it is the responsibility of the student to obtain a copy for his or her own use. The text should be purchased from North Light Books (550 E. Cotati Ave.) prior to the third class meeting.

Grading: based on the "points" system and the standard A=90%, B=80%, C=70%, D=60%, F=50%. Students accumulate points during the course of the semester in the following ways:

Daily drill-this will involve verbal question and answers as well as written material completed in class. Drills will prepare the student for weekly homework assignments. Points vary for each assignment.

Homework-16 assignments total (?): one for each week of class. Homework is based on the material in the textbook and will be assigned at the end of class on Fridays. Homework is due at the beginning of class on Mondays. Late homework is not acceptable. No homework assignments will be given early (at the beginning of class or at a prior class meeting). If the student has a legitimate reason for an absence (see below) a homework assignment may be given (at the discretion of the instructor) via email after the Friday class meeting. Late work may be accepted (on a case by case basis) at the discretion of the instructor based on legitimate absence. Assignments will be graded and returned as soon as possible (ideally the following class meeting). It is strongly recommended that students keep all homework assignments so that he or she may correct any issues and keep a running total of points. Homework is designed to prepare the student for project work. Points vary for each assignment.

Project Work-4 total (consult the class schedule for due dates): The student will provide, as the culmination of each project, a full concert score and printed (and transposed) parts for each instrument. Projects will be performed (by class members) during class time on the due date for each project.

1) One horn chart-the student will construct and arrangement suitable for (sight-reading) performance based on an existing, instructor approved, composition. (50 points)

2) Two horn chart-the student will construct and arrangement suitable for (sight-reading) performance based on an existing, instructor approved, composition. (100 points)

3) Three horn chart-the student will construct and arrangement suitable for (sight-reading) performance based on an existing, instructor approved, composition. (150 points)

4) Four horn chart-the student will construct and arrangement suitable for (sight-reading) performance based on an existing, instructor approved, composition. (200 points)

Mid-term Exam-This is held on a date selected by the instructor which does not necessarily correspond to the campus wide mid-term schedule. Please consult the class schedule. Questions will be drawn from the homework assignments given up to that date. Mid-term work will follow the same format as the homework assignments. Failure to take the mid-term exam without notifying the instructor of an absence and legitimate reason may result in the denial of a make-up and/or failure of the course. (50 points)

Final Exam-This is held on May 22nd from 5-6:50. This test is drawn from the homework questions from the mid-term exam forward only (non-cumulative). Missing the final exam, without notifying the instructor of an extreme emergency, may result in failure of the course and denial of the ability to request an incomplete. (100 points)

Additional Grading Informantion

• Students are expected to bring a pencil and manuscript paper to each class meeting (for notes and drill work).
• Use of pencil is acceptable for homework assignments.
• Use of finale or sebilius software for project work is STRONGLY suggested.
• Students are expected to attend all class meetings on time and prepared (having completed reading, listening and homework assignments)
• If a student does not call or verbally notify the instructor with a legitimate reason for an absence (preferably 24 hours prior to class), the ability to take a make-up exams or hand in late assignments may be denied.
• Missing 4 or more consecutive classes during the semester may result in a student being dropped from the class.
• Legitimate absence: illness, SSU ensemble performance, car accident, etc.
• Non-legitimate absence: vacation plans, homework, dentist appointment, car maintenance, etc.
• Take responsibility for class time. It should be a self-test of your preparation and daily work not a study session.
• Attendance and Participation-This is considered as a factor if a student's grade is borderline. Excellent attendance, interest, and verbal participation, which are strongly encouraged, will help raise a student's grade in the positive direction. In general, one missed class is not a problem. Several missed classes may lower the final grade.
• Make-Up Work and Exams-The student may turn in a missed homework assignment at the beginning of the following class meeting they attend (if the student has a legitimate reason for an absence). Exams and assignments more than two weeks may be subject to make-up denial.

General Facility Information:

• Absolutely no food or drinks are permitted in the classroom. (Water is ok.)