Dr. Rick Davies, Director

Office: Myers 231 Office Hours: TBA

Phone: x2471 E-mail: rick.davies@plattsburgh.edu

Rehearsals: M/W 3:00-4:15 pm, MFA 300

The goals of this course are: (1) to rehearse and perform several programs of big band jazz, Latin jazz, and rhythm and Blues (2) to develop instrumental skills and to sharpen aural and stylistic skills, and (3) to develop an awareness of diverse musical styles.

Some rehearsals will be used for saxophone, brass, and rhythm section sectionals. If you are not playing in the sectional, use the time to practice your music. Your section leader may use the time to have sectionals just for your instrument.

Performances:

MARK THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR NOW. REPORT CONFLICTS ASAP.

· Jazz Festival concert: Wednesday, April 4, 8:00 pm in Giltz

Dress rehearsal: Monday, April 2, during regular class time in Giltz.

· Duke Ellington Dance Concert: Friday, April 20, at 8 pm in Hartman Theatre

Saturday, April 21, at 2 pm and 8 pm in Hartman Theatre

Dress rehearsal: Thursday, April 19, at 6 pm in Harman Theatre

Expectations:

Participation in this ensemble requires a commitment and a priority. Those mean:

· Coming to every rehearsal with your parts learned to the best of your ability. Rehearsals can then be efficiently used to put the parts together into a whole. This will require practice outside the rehearsal. Do

not wait until the week before a concert to begin practicing your music. Immediate preparation of your part will ensure the most efficient and productive rehearsals.

· Registering for this ensemble for credit means that you give it priority over non-credit activities. Do not asked to be excused from rehearsal because of a non-credit campus activity (extenuating circumstances can be dealt with on an individual basis). If you miss rehearsals or performances because you chose not to give this course priority, you can expect your grade to reflect that.

· Being ready to begin promptly. Be here a few minutes early so that you are ready to play on time.

· Being responsible for your instrument and supplies. Do not appear a minute before the rehearsal begins and tell the director that your one reed broke, your valves are stuck, you lost your music, etc. Responsible membership involves taking care of these things ahead of time.

· Being quiet, attentive, and cooperative during rehearsal.

“A rehearsal should be where musicians come to learn each other’s parts, not their own.”

Attendance Policy:

Attendance will be taken at every rehearsal. You are expected to be present, on time, and with your music at every rehearsal. It is your responsibility to make sure your attendance is correctly marked. The consequences for absences and unpreparedness are as follows:

After the first unexcused absence, each absence will lower your grade by one-half letter.

After the first time you are late to rehearsal, each lateness will count as half an absence.

Every rehearsal at which your music is not present will reduce your grade by one-half letter. This applies even if you are not present. MAKE SURE YOUR MUSIC IS AVAILABLE AT EVERY REHEARSAL.

Attendance for concerts includes moving and disassembling equipment afterwards. Roll will be taken both at the concert and after all equipment is moved. Absence at the second roll call will be considered an unexcused absence. DO NOT DISAPPEAR AFTER PLAYING WHEN THERE IS EQUIPMENT TO BE MOVED.

Grading:

You will be graded on:

· Attendance at rehearsals and concerts (see above).

If you cannot attend a rehearsal or concert, notify the conductor in advance. An unexcused absence from a performance will result in a falling grade.

· Discipline in rehearsals. You are expected to be attentive and QUIET during rehearsals. DO NOT TALK WHEN THE CONDUCTOR IS TALKING OR WHEN YOU ARE NOT PLAYING. If you cannot keep quiet, you may be asked to leave the rehearsal, or, if there are repeated violations, to leave the ensemble permanently. The former will be counted as an unexcused absence; the latter will result in a falling grade for the semester.

· Cooperativeness and preparedness at rehearsals and concerts, including moving equipment after concerts.

· Performance quality, up to the limits of each player’s ability.

· Return of your music. Failure to return music at the end of the semester will result in the lowering of your grade by one full letter.

These guidelines are no more than any responsible, serious ensemble member would expect for a successful experience. If you are serious about learning your music, being present and on time, helping with equipment moves, making sure your music is present when you cannot be, and keeping quiet in rehearsals, you can expect to receive a high grade.

email: rick.davies@plattsburgh.edu

This page was last updated on February 14, 2001