The University of North Texas A Cappella Choir – Fall 2015
MULB 1801-500 and 5171-501
MW 2-3:30pm and Thurs. 2-2:50pm, plus scheduled dates with Grand Chorus
Dr. Richard Sparks, COM 220, 940/369-7407, Richard.sparks@unt.edu
Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 1 PM
Assistant Conductor: John Irving, johnirving@my.unt.edu (646) 468-9286
Accompanist: Szu-Ying Huang: SzuYingHuang@my.unt.edu
Mission
The A Cappella Choir’s mission is divided into two primary areas:
 As a performing ensemble designated as UNT’s top choir, to give performances of some
of the most challenging and significant choral repertoire for a cappella choir, but also
with piano, other instruments, and orchestra. Our goal is to give performances at the
highest level possible, approaching or matching performances of some of the world’s
great choirs.
 Singers in the A Cappella Choir will become better ensemble musicians, have improved
musicianship, and learn how to express themselves and make music in a large ensemble.
Over time in all their ensembles at UNT they should experience and learn how to
appropriately perform music from a variety of different periods and in different styles.
This is all to say that students, through this experience, should be preparing or prepared
to work at a high professional level as an ensemble singer. All of this comes through the
repertoire performed.
Requirements and Expectations
A strong commitment to individual responsibility and initiative in preparation of music is
expected of every singer. Study and practice of the ensemble’s music outside regular rehearsal
hours is required. Your full involvement in each rehearsal (focused, cooperative, positive,
engaged) is also assumed at every rehearsal. Failure to meet these responsibilities can lead to
severe lowering of the semester grade (see grading procedures below) and/or dismissal from
the ensemble.
Students accepted into the A Cappella Choir in the fall semester are required to continue their
participation through the spring semester, at the discretion of the conductor of the ensemble. If
you know you cannot sing in the spring (if you graduate or student teach, for example), I must
know this in advance.
Each student will be issued a folder of music for which s/he is responsible. If music is lost or
damaged, the student will be required to pay the replacement costs of music plus a $5 fee. If
music is not turned in by the deadline set by the TA, you may also be responsible for replacement
costs of the music.
Attendance is required at every regularly scheduled rehearsal. In order for any absence to be
considered excused, the class TA and I must be notified in advance of the absence via email,
except in cases of emergency. Preparing for another class is not an acceptable excuse for missing
rehearsals or concerts. If you’re well enough to attend other classes, you’re well enough to attend
rehearsal as well. Missing a dress rehearsal, concert, or recording session constitutes grounds for
immediate dismissal from the ensemble and failure of the course.
Grades will be computed based upon in-class performance, the student’s constructive
contributions to the health and performance of the ensemble, development of the student’s
positive leadership qualities, and the preceding attendance policy.
One unexcused absence will drop your grade to a B, two to a C, and so on. Being late to rehearsal
counts as one third of an unexcused absence, so three times being late will cause your grade to
drop, so please make sure you’re on time.
The use of cell phones (for calls, messaging, or any other use) is not allowed in class at any
time and grounds for dismissal from the class. Please be sure they are turned off and put away
before class begins.
Attire
This will be covered in class.
In concert: Please do not wear perfume/cologne on stage—deodorant—yes!
Schedule
In addition to our regular rehearsals—put these on your calendar immediately!
Fall 2015
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Monday, Sept. 28 – Rehearsal for Gala with Orchestra – 6-9 PM (exact time later—won’t be more
than an hour, probably less) - MPAC
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Dress rehearsal for ChoralFest, 6 PM (tentative), MPAC, then . . .
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – ChoralFest - 8 PM, PAC
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Gala dress rehearsal – 3-6 PM (we won’t be there that long! The exact time
TBA) – MPAC
Sunday, Oct. 4 – Gala – 4 PM – MPAC (call time TBA)
Monday, Nov. 9 –dress rehearsal 2-4 PM (note we go longer than our usual rehearsal! If you have
a class conflict, let your professor know ASAP), MPAC
Tuesday, Nov. 10 – A Cappella Fall Concert - 8 PM, MPAC (call time TBA)
Thursday, Dec. 3 – 8 PM – Sounds of the Season (Christmas/Holiday program) – MPAC (call time
TBA)
Spring (2016)
You should not enroll in a Tuesday evening class in the Spring semester. Rehearsals for the Grand
Chorus will begin Tuesday, March 10 and you must be available for every Tuesday evening rehearsal
(Haydn – The Creation). Creation will take more Tuesday evenings than the last several years—it’s a
lot of music and a great piece.
Grand Chorus rehearsals are: Feb. 2, 9, & 16, March 8 & 29, April 5, 19; then 25/26 with orchestra
(6-9 PM), and performance on the 27the.
 Sunday, April 10 – rehearsal of Les Noces with pianists, percussion and soloists, 6-9 PM
 Monday, April 11 – Dress reh. 2-4 PM (note we go long! If you have a conflict, let your professor
know at the beginning of the semester) – MPAC
 Tuesday, April 12 – AC Spring Concert – 8 PM, MPAC (call time TBA)
First half conducted by John Irving
Second half of program: Igor Stravinsky Les Noces in Russian with four pianos,
percussion, and soloists (Molly Fillmore, soprano; Jennifer Lane, alto; William
Joyner, tenor; and Jeff Snider, bass)
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Monday, April 25 – Grand Chorus rehearsal with orchestra – 6-9 PM
Tuesday, April 26 – Grand Chorus Dress Rehearsal – 6-9 PM
Wednesday, April 27 – Grand Chorus Concert – 8 PM, PAC (call time TBA)
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Tuesday, April 7 – A Cappella - 8 PM, PAC
Tuesday, April 21 – Men’s and Women’s Choruses – 8 PM, PAC
Friday, April 24 - Collegium Singers and Baroque Orchestra, 8 PM, PAC
Other Information
Office of Disability Accommodation
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with
disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability
Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide
you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion
regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time,
however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester
to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of
accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to
implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability
Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at
940.565.4323.
Code of Conduct
The UNT Code of Student Conduct and Discipline provides penalties for misconduct by
students, including academic dishonesty (cheating/plagiarism.) If you engage in academic
dishonesty related to this class, you will receive a failing grade on the test or assignment and a
failing grade in the course. In addition, the case will be referred to the Dean of Students for
appropriate disciplinary action. Please refer to https://deanofstudents.unt.edu/conduct for
more information.
Fall Semester Add/Drop Period
Information about add/drop dates for the Fall Semester:
http://www.unt.edu/registrar/schedule/fall/withdraw.html
General Academic Schedule:
http://essc.unt.edu/registrar/schedule/fall/calendar.html
Final Exam Schedule
The final exam schedule is linked below.
http://registrar.unt.edu/exams/final-exam-schedule/fall
Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress
Undergraduates
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue to receive financial
aid. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in addition to successfully
completing a required number of credit hours based on total registered hours per term. Students
cannot exceed attempted credit hours above 150% of their required degree plan. If a student does
not maintain the required standards, the student may lose their financial aid eligibility.
If at any point you consider dropping this or any other course, please be advised that the decision
to do so may have the potential to affect your current and future financial aid eligibility. Please
visit http://financialaid.unt.edu/satisfactory-academic-progress-requirements for more information
about financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. It is recommended that you to schedule a
meeting with an academic advisor in your college or visit the Student Financial Aid and
Scholarships office to discuss dropping a course being doing so.
Graduates
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue to receive financial
aid. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in addition to successfully
completing a required number of credit hours based on total registered hours per term. Students
cannot exceed maximum timeframes established based on the published length of the graduate
program. If a student does not maintain the required standards, the student may lose their
financial aid eligibility.
If at any point you consider dropping this or any other course, please be advised that the decision
to do so may have the potential to affect your current and future financial aid eligibility. Please
visit http://financialaid.unt.edu/satisfactory-academic-progress-requirements for more information
about financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. It is recommended that you to schedule a
meeting with an academic advisor in your college or visit the Student Financial Aid and
Scholarships office to discuss dropping a course being doing so.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is defined in the UNT Policy on Student Standards for Academic Integrity.
Any suspected case of Academic Dishonesty will be handled in accordance with the University
Policy and procedures. Possible academic penalties range from a verbal or written admonition to
a grade of “F” in the course. Further sanctions may apply to incidents involving major violations.
You will find the policy and procedures at: http://vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm.
Student Behavior in the Classroom
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students’
opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional
forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the
classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and
Responsibilities to consider whether the student’s conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct.
The university’s expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including
university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student
Conduct can be found at: www.unt.edu/csrr.
Attendance Policy
To be determined by the instructor-of-record