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Advanced Instrumental Ensemble Syllabus

SYLLABUS: Advanced Instrumental Ensemble

SCHOOL YEAR: 2009 – 2010

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Borden/ ROOM: MATHES 18A

I.              Prerequisites: The student must have satisfactorily completed the Beginning Instrumental Class or passed an audition with Dr. Borden.

II.            Course Description: The Advanced Instrumental Music Class, separately and in combination with other University School musical ensembles, will represent University School in public performances.  The course work will continue to advance the musical competence of each member as the ensemble prepares music for public performance.  One of the primary emphases of this organization is musical excellence.  To achieve this, each student must exhibit hard work, dedication and perseverance.

III.           Course Requirements:

A.                 Each member must provide his or her own instrument, and required music books.

B.                  Members of the class need copies of Book II (blue book) of the Standard of Excellence series by Bruce Pearson.  They are available at both Cates Music and Music Doctor in Johnson City.  Later in the year, students may advance enough to use Book III (green book). Dr. Borden will announce the time to purchase the green book, if necessary. Other required music may also be required as the students advance.

C.                  Each student is expected to practice at home as recommended by Dr. Borden as well as to participate during class.

D.                  If a student forgets his or her instrument or his or her instrument is unavailable, the student is expected to “air play” during class. However, the student will also need to make-up the missed rehearsal time.

E.                   Each student is expected to maintain in good working order his or her instrument, music, stand and other University School property he or she may use.  Each student is responsible to have repairs made to his or her instrument in a timely manner when necessary.

F.                   Each student is also required to have a working pencil in class and at all practices.

G.                  This organization may, from time to time as necessary, practice before school hours, after school hours or on the weekend in addition to the normal class time.  The group at times will perform during non-school hours as well as during school time.  These concerts and extra rehearsals are part of the requirements for this special ensemble that represents University School.  Each student is expected to participate in all concerts and extra rehearsals.

H.                  Students are responsible for arranging make up work and times with Dr. Borden.

I.                    Please note that excused does not mean exempt.

IV.           Grading:

A.                 The nine weeks grade will be based on the following categories

1.                    Daily work, quizzes, playing tests, papers and projects: 30%

2.                    Mid-term and Final exams: 30%

4.                    Performances: 30%. A missed performance that is unexcused or not made-up if excused will result in a failing grade for that nine weeks.

B.                  The semester grade will be an average, 50/50 of the two nine week’s grades.

C.                  The yearly grade will be an average, 50/50 of the two semester grades.                               

D.                  Daily grade:       Students are expected to give significant effort in playing during rehearsals each day.  Grades will be reduced if students do not comply.      Missed classes must be made up.

F.             Performances:       The Advanced Instrumental Ensemble is a performance organization. Therefore, each musician is expected and required to participate in all performances.  Excused or unexcused misses must be made up in a timely fashion. Make up work may include but is not limited to playing the performance music solo for Dr. Borden during class, writing a research paper on an assigned related topic, or performing service for the instrumental class such as library work or class room cleaning. Make up work for an unexcused missed performance will receive a maximum grade of 70.  A grade of zero will be given to an excused or unexcused absence if the make-up work is not completed or not completed in a timely manner.

G.            If a musician is injured or too sick to play but can attend a performance, they are expected to do so.  If the musician attends, there is no make up requirement. 

J.                    Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  Students will be warned to stop such actions.  If a student continues with inappropriate or disruptive behavior or demonstrates new but still inappropriate behavior, the instructor may, depending upon the situation and the severity of the disruption do one or more of the following.  He may ask the student to desist again, reduce the student’s grade, or send the student to the office for administrative assistance. 

K.                  Classroom policies include:

1.             No food, gum, candy, or drinks will be permitted in the classroom during rehearsal.  Dr. Borden will announce exceptions.

2.             No hats or other head coverings are to be worn in class.

3.             Three unexcused tardies equal minus one on the final grade if not made up.

4.                Each absence is minus one on the final grade unless made up.

5.                    Students will not use or otherwise tamper with equipment, material, or other items located in the choral room.

6.                    Students will regard one another with the utmost respect.  This is a team effort.

J.             Performances:

1.                    Performances are a significant part of the instrumental ensemble experience.  The number of performances during a nine-week grading period and the importance of each performance will determine the grade for each performance.

2.                     Excused misses for extra rehearsals and out of school performances will include personal illness, death in the immediate family, or regularly scheduled religious services. 

a.                    A University School academic trip will require the student to choose.  A miss in this case will be excused, but the student must let Dr. Borden know at least two weeks in advance that he or she will miss.  The missed rehearsal or concert will still need to be made up. 

b.                   Other non-excused events include but are not limited to work, parties, vacations, athletic practices or events, packing and so on.  If you are in doubt, consult with Dr. Borden at least two weeks prior to the concert.

V.            Performance wear: Students are required to purchase their own performance attire. Dr. Borden will send home information concerning this.

VI.           Parents and instrumental ensemble students will be expected to actively participate in fundraisers for the program.  As the ensemble improves and grows there will be a need for special instruments.  These are often very expensive and will require a concerted effort to raise the thousands of dollars necessary to eventually equip a high school ensemble.

VII.          There are several major performances for this ensemble during the year.  We will announce performance dates as soon as possible.

 VIII.       There is a $ 20.00 music participation fee due by the end of the first nine weeks. Dr. Borden will send information on this fee. No student will be denied participation in music if unable to pay this fee. Please ask Dr. Borden if you have any questions regarding this fee.