I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
IV Expressive Arts
Dept/Program
Music
Course Title
UM Jazz Bands
Prerequisite
Consent of Instructor
Course #
MUS 114A
Credits
1
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
Phone / Email
Lance Boyd
243-5071
lance.boyd@umontana.edu
Program Chair
Maxine Ramey, Interim
Chair
Dean
Stephen Kalm, Interim
Dean
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Each student enrolled in Jazz Band will be given the opportunity to learn about jazz on various
levels. The goal of this course is to instill within students an appreciation for jazz performance,
as well as teach them to perform at the highest level of musicality that they are able. During
this course, students will put to use the skills they’ve obtained on their instrument, their
knowledge of music history, music theory, and basic ear-training, so they may effectively
perform challenging repertoire by many different composers. Students will be immersed in
many different types of jazz including swing, Latin, be-bop, funk, and rock. Also, students will
learn the basis of solo improvisation on their instrument, as it is fundamental to the genre of
jazz.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Fundamental issues dealing with basic
techniques as related to the Jazz Band
medium and interpretation are studied and
explored for a perspective of aural, visual
and kinesthetic involvement. The student is
asked to engage in the creative process by
way of interpretive performance and
improvisation of jazz works during the
course. In addition, they are asked to engage
in critical assessment of their own work
during rehearsals and after performances.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Students will express themselves at each
practice sessions/rehearsal and to perform
the selection or technique to be learned or
explored. Material presented for study
represents styles and genres from a global
perspective. Western and non-western
composers and styles are presented as well
as music from a wide varied of historical
time periods. Students are asked to apply a
fundamental knowledge of music theory and
history to their performances, the structures
and forms of the artistic language to convey
meaning. Students present the product of
their work at several concerts throughout the
academic year. Critiques and reviews are
done after each performance.
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
MUS 114A
Syllabus
Jazz Band
Lance Boyd-Instructor
Course Objectives:
Each student enrolled in Jazz Band will be given the opportunity to learn about jazz on various
levels. The goal of this course is to instill within students an appreciation for jazz, as well as
teach them to perform at the highest level of musicality that they are able. During this course,
students will put to use the skills they’ve obtained on their instrument, their knowledge of
music history, music theory, and basic ear-training, so they may effectively perform
challenging repertoire by many different composers. Students will be immersed in many
different types of jazz including swing, Latin, be-bop, funk, and rock. Also, students will learn
the basis of solo improvisation on their instrument, as it is fundamental to the genre of jazz.
Course Expectations
Jazz Band is an interactive and interdependent class where the success of each student
depends on the growth and development of the entire ensemble. The ability of each student
to contribute at their highest level musically is the most important element to the outcome of
this class. This ability is achieved through daily ensemble classes and is supported by
practice outside of class. This class culminates with public performances including, but not
limited to, concerts, festivals, tours, and other gigs.
The expectations for each student include:
1) ATTENDANCE
a. During daily ensemble rehearsals
b. During concerts, festivals, tours, and gigs
2) YOUR BEST MUSICAL EFFORT
Required Materials
Instrument and Mutes (if applicable)
Folder w/ Music (Provided)
NO TEXT BOOK!!!
PENCIL
Student Assessment
Everyone starts with an “A.” Because of the interdependent nature of this course,
attendance and effort are imperative to having a successful musical experience. That
being said, student assessment will be based on the following:
•
Attendance of Daily Ensemble Rehearsals
o
o
o
•
Show up on time to EVERY rehearsal.
While missing rehearsal should be rare and due to highly unusual
circumstances, the student MUST:
• Inform the instructor as far ahead of time as possible and
• Find a substitute of equal or higher ability
For each unexcused absence past the first, the students’ grade will be lowered
by one FULL grade (A to B to C etc.)
Attendance of All Scheduled Concerts, Festivals, Tours, and other Gigs
o Be sure to show up with plenty of time for personal warm-up and instrument
maintenance, before the scheduled call-time.
o In the world of performance, the participation of each individual performer is
vital to the musical experience of all of the other performers, as well as each
member of the audience. That being said, failure to attend a performance will
automatically result in the grade of “F” for the individual student.
Schedule
The tentative weekly rehearsal schedule will be posted on the bulletin board outside Room #1
at the beginning of each week.
Code of Conduct
Please refer to The University of Montana Student Handbook for policies referring to Academic
Code of Conduct. For more information, please see:
www.umt.edu/SA/documents/ fromWeb/Ed.StudentConductCode.doc
Disclaimer
While the contents of this syllabus are subject to change by the instructor, students will be
given adequate advance notice of any such change.
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.