MUO 118/418 – Woodwind Ensembles
Fall Semester 2014
Schedule: MW 1:25-2:15/TBD
LPAC #1129
Office Hours: posted and by appt.
No Web Component
Dr. Rebecca Mindock
LPAC #1129
251-460-6482
mindock@southalabama.edu
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Description
The study and performance of literature for all combinations of woodwind instruments.
Required Materials
A working instrument (with all necessary reeds/accessories) and all required music are required at all
rehearsals and performances. A tuner and metronome are recommended, and a pencil is required for
all rehearsals.
Course Goals and Objectives
The objective of this ensemble is to gain experience playing in a small, one-on-a-part situation, make
high quality music, and to have fun. By performing in such an exposed and collaborative
environment, the student will strengthen their abilities to match pitch, balance, and perform musically
in an ensemble.
Attendance
Each ensemble will have a one-hour weekly rehearsal scheduled with the instructor. In addition to
that rehearsal, each ensemble will also find an additional weekly time during which the group will
meet and rehearse for at least an hour without the instructor. The group should inform the instructor
of when and where that additional rehearsal meets, so that the instructor can attend if the instructor
deems it necessary. It is required that each group meet for these two hours each week.
In a small ensemble situation, the entire group suffers if others miss rehearsals, so attendance at all
rehearsals is mandatory. If you know you will be unable to attend a rehearsal for an excusable reason,
please notify the instructor immediately so that plans to rearrange the schedule can be made. An
unexcused absence for two or more rehearsals may result in a failing grade. Absence at a performance
will result in a failing grade.
Student Expectations
The instructor will endeavor to assign parts and ensembles that are appropriate for the ability level of
each player and that will hopefully challenge each player to improve his or her overall skills. It is
expected that the students will practice their individual parts outside of group rehearsal, so that better
progress can be made when the group is together. Students are expected to arrive at rehearsals early
enough that they can be ready to play when the rehearsal time begins. The instructor is available for
individual help if it is needed.
Mindock MUO 118/418 Syllabus, p.2
Performances
Our fall concert will be Monday, November 24th, 2014 at 7:30pm in the LPAC Recital Hall.
This is a required event. Dress rehearsals for this event are also required and will be scheduled at the
discretion of the instructor and the members of each ensemble.
The President’s Holiday Concert will occur on Thursday, December 4th, 2014 at 6:30pm in the
Mitchell Center. The dress rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, December 4th from 4-7pm. It
has not yet been determined how many of the university ensembles will be performing in this event,
but it may be possible that a select group from this class may participate. If you have any significant
conflicts with these two dates, please notify the instructor.
There may also be opportunities to perform in Recital Class and in other venues at the discretion of
the instructor and the students.
Grading
Your grade is based on attendance at rehearsals and performances, as dictated above. Your grade will
also reflect your level of preparation for each rehearsal. Practice outside of ensemble rehearsals will
likely be necessary to ensure that you are able to play your part to the best of your ability, and failure
to prepare your part accordingly will result in a lower grade.
Further definition of grading for this ensemble:
A = Student attends all rehearsals, always has own part fully prepared and ready to play.
Student is engaged during rehearsal and ready to take an active role in the music making
process.
B = Student attends all rehearsals, has own part adequately prepared with evidence of
substantial practice outside of rehearsals, but lacks polish. Student is engaged during rehearsal
but does not actively participate in the music making process.
C = Student attends most rehearsals, has own part somewhat prepared with evidence of
moderate practice, but not sufficiently to prevent significant errors from slowing down
rehearsal progress. Student is present during rehearsal, but is quiet and unengaged.
D = Student attends most rehearsals, but has only put in a minimal amount of effort to prepare
part and holds the ensemble back with regular errors. Student is unfocused or disruptive in
rehearsal and prevents other students from rehearsing efficiently.
F = Student fails to attend most rehearsals, or attends them but is entirely unprepared and
contributes nothing of worth to the rehearsal environment, and prevents the ensemble from
executing a successful performance.
JagAlert
JagAlert is a program intended to help students be successful in 100-200 level courses. If you are not
doing well, you will receive an email instructing you to see your professor along with instructions to
access an online tutorial intended to help with common problems affecting academic performance.
Watch for this email during week 8 of this semester.
Mindock MUO 118/418 Syllabus, p.3
Final Drop Date
The final date to withdraw from the course is October 24, 2014.
Students with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities will be
afforded reasonable accommodations. The Office of Special Student Services (OSSS) will certify a
disability and advise faculty members of reasonable accommodations. If you have a specific
disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please notify the instructor/professor and
provide certification from the Office of Special Student Services. OSSS is located at 5828 Old Shell
Road at Jaguar Drive, (251-460-7212).
Counseling and Testing Services
Counseling and Testing Services provides a variety of free and confidential services for students. For
further information regarding this resource go to www.southalabama.edu/counseling or call the office
at 460-7051.
Changes in Course Requirements
Not all classes progress at the same rate thus course requirements might have to be modified as
circumstances dictate. You will be given written notice if the course requirements need to be
changed.
Academic Disruption Policy
The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Academic Disruption is found in The Lowdown,
the student handbook.
http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicdisruption.shtml
Disruptive academic behavior is defined as individual or group conduct that interrupts or interferes
with any educational activity or environment, infringes upon the rights and privileges of others,
results in or threatens the destruction of property and/or is otherwise prejudicial to the maintenance of
order in an academic environment. The coordinator expects all students to be cordial, courteous and
respectful of faculty members and fellow students.
Student Academic Conduct Policy
The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Student Academic Conduct Policy is found in
The Lowdown: http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicconductpolicy.shtml
The University of South Alabama is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom of
inquiry, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of the individual are sustained. The
University is committed to supporting the exercise of any right guaranteed to individuals by the
Constitution and the Code of Alabama and to educating students relative to their responsibilities.
Penalties may range from the loss of credit for a particular assignment to dismissal from the
University. Degree revocation may be warranted in cases involving academic misconduct by former
students while they were students at USA. Note that dismissal from any University of South Alabama
college or school for reasons of academic misconduct will also result in permanent dismissal from the
University. Faculty, students, and staff are responsible for acquainting themselves with, adhering to,
and promoting policies governing academic conduct. Students are expected to complete their own
coursework and not provide unauthorized information or materials to another student. Students may
Mindock MUO 118/418 Syllabus, p.4
learn about the meaning of plagiarism and how to avoid it at the following link:
http://www.southalabama.edu/univlib/instruction/plagiarismforstudents.html