COURSE SYLLABUS
Fall 2014
August 25 – December 11, 2014
MTWR 1:00 – 2:15 pm
GRANDE CHORALE
MUS 19101
115 Fine Arts
Professor:
Phone:
Email:
Office:
Office Hours:
Sarin Williams, DMA
(740) 245-7124
williamss@rio.edu
108 Fine Arts
MW 11:30 – 1:00 pm; M 3:30 – 5:30 pm
This course is designed to give experience in the areas of: choral
performance, ensemble singing, choral repertoire, voice and ear training, and advanced musicianship.
Numerous public concerts are given each semester. Grande Chorale members are expected to make a
year-long commitment to the ensemble and its activities. An audition is required for admission.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
PREREQUISITES: By Audition Only.
CREDIT HOURS: 1
TEXTBOOK AND OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1. Black, 3-ring binder
2. Pencil(s)
3. Music distributed in class
PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES--The following outcomes have been adopted for the
degree program for which this course is required. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate comprehensive capabilities in their major performing area, including the ability to work
independently to prepare performances at a level appropriate to their concentration.
2. Demonstrate their understanding of the common elements of music including rhythm, melody,
harmony, musical forms and organizational patterns.
3. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of music history through to the present time.
4. Use technology to document their accomplishments as a musician throughout their college career, and
prepare a professional electronic portfolio. Demonstrate growth in their major performing area every
semester of attendance.
5. Perform both solo and ensemble literature in a public concert.
6. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of piano performance including the ability to play major and minor
scales, perform a short solo piece, read from 4-part music, harmonize a simple melody at sight, perform
a simple accompaniment, perform simple songs.
COURSE OUTCOMES: The following outcomes have been adopted for this course. All outcomes listed
below have direct relevance to course material. Upon completion of this course students are expected to
demonstrate competence in these areas:
1. Attendance at all concerts.
2. Consistent rehearsal attendance.
3. Demonstration of advanced musical preparation exhibiting good diction, intonation, vocal
sound production, blend, rhythm and note accuracy, and, when required, memorization.
4. Demonstration of advanced musical performances that include not only musical preparation,
but also correct performance etiquette and appearance.
ASSESSMENT:
1. Daily participation grades.
2. Concert participation grades.
3. Quality concert performances, which showcase the results of successful rehearsals, determined
by director assessment and audience response and attendance.
ATTENDANCE: Grande Chorale is the premiere public relations vocal ensemble serving the University of
Rio Grande, and performs numerous times throughout the year. Membership in this ensemble will require a
substantial commitment of time and effort outside of the regular rehearsal. Additional concerts will be
scheduled throughout the semester, and every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate student schedules
with these extra-curricular performances. It is expected that each member of the Grande Chorale will
demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and integrity in all rehearsal and performances, including when
we travel together, as you develop in the areas of leadership, musicianship, and personal growth.
Because this is an ensemble, productive practice with the group is essential for every performing member.
When you are not here, you not only affect your performance, but that of your fellow classmates. For this
reason, excessive absence from class is not acceptable. Students will be allowed only three unexcused
absences from class per semester. Every unexcused absence beyond three will result in the student’s
grade being LOWERED by ONE LETTER for each absence. See below.
0 – 3 absences = grade as earned
4 absences = grade lowered by one letter (A to B, for example)
5 absences = lowered by two letters
6 absences = lowered by three letters
7+ absences = failing course grade
Three tardies equal one unexcused absence. Please be on time to class.
For an absence to be excused the instructor must be informed no later than one class period after the absence.
Absences that may be excused include: illness with a doctor’s note; school field trips once the professor has
signed the official excuse form; funerals with a funeral program provided to the professor; and other significant
events with appropriate documentation. Excused absences will only be granted when official documentation of
the absence has been presented to the professor.
Because this is an ensemble every member of the group is essential; therefore, Concert and Dress Rehearsal
Attendance is mandatory. Any un-excused absence from a concert will result in a FAILING GRADE in
the course. Any un-excused absence from a dress rehearsal will result in a loss of TWO letter grades in the
course. Concert attendance points will also be deducted for arriving late/leaving early and incorrect attire.
Excused absences from a concert will only be accepted due to 1) severe and/or contagious illness with a doctor’s
note or 2) other immediately impacting significant events to be determined at the discretion of the director.
Excused absences will only be granted with official documentation of the absence. Work does not constitute
an excused absence.
The following percentage scale will determine the student’s final grade:
94 – 100%
=A
80 – 83%
= B67 – 69%
90 – 93%
= A77 – 79%
= C+
64 – 67%
87 – 89%
= B+
74 – 76%
=C
60 – 63%
84 – 86%
=B
70 – 73%
= C-
= D+
=D
= D-
UNIFORMS: The following items of formal concert attire will be provided by URG and will need to be
returned, having been dry-cleaned, when the student leaves the performing ensemble.
Performance attire for formal concerts is:
 Men: Tuxedo Jacket and Pants, Black Bow-Tie and Cummerbund, White Wing-Tip Collar Shirt,
Black Shoes, and Black Socks (shoes and socks to be provided and owned by the student)
 Women: Black Dress, Black Closed-Toe Shoes with a Small Heel (shoes may be owned by the
student or loaned from URG)
Performance attire for informal concerts is:
 Men & Women: Nice Jeans, Red Grande Chorale Polo Shirt, Dress Shoes, Black Socks
The red Grande Chorale polo shirt will be provided by URG and will need to be returned, having been drycleaned, when the student leaves the performing ensemble.
ADA POLICY: If a student wishes to be identified as having a physical, mental, or learning disability, that may
or may not require reasonable accommodation(s), he/she must register with the Office of Accessibility. These
registered students should identify themselves to their instructors and provide a written statement from the
Accessibility Office that indicates the appropriate accommodations. The process of a student self-proclaiming
the need for accommodation should occur as early in the semester as possible. The Office of Accessibility
phone is 245-7339 and is located in Rhodes Hall, Room 116, University of Rio Grande.
FERPA: The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College are committed to fully respecting
and protecting the rights of students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These
rights generally include the right to inspect, review and seek amendment to the student's education records and
the right to provide written consent before personally identifiable information from education records is
disclosed. Under FERPA, students have the right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education
concerning alleged failures to comply with FERPA. Please see the Student Records Confidentiality/Rights
Under FERPA section of the Student Handbook for details and more information.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Standard university policies, as described in the Student Handbook, apply.
WITHDRAWAL: Standard university policies, as described in the Student Handbook, apply.
COURSE CALENDAR:
Monday, September 1st
No Class
th
Friday, September 5
11:30 am – 6:00 pm
th
Thursday, September 11
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Fri, Sat, & Sun, Oct. 10th – 12th All Day(s)
M – F, Nov. 24th – 28th
No Class
nd
Tuesday, December 2
5:00 – 8:00 pm
Thursday, December 4th
6:00 pm Call
th
Tuesday, December 9
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Labor Day
Grande Chorale Retreat
New Student Convocation from 10:30 – 11:30 am
44th Annual Bob Evans Farm Festival
Fall/Thanksgiving Break
Dress Rehearsal
GC Concert at 8:00 pm
GC Holiday Party