CERRITOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CONCERT BAND
Course Syllabus
Fall 2017
Instructor: David Betancourt
Email: dbetancourt@cerritos.edu
Phone: (562)860-2451 ext. 2631
Office: BC 52c
Office Hours: Tuesday,Wednesday, & Thursday 6-7 p.m. and by appointment
Materials: Instrument, music (issued), pencil
Course Description
Emphasis is placed on developing proficiency in public performance practices, rehearsal practices, sight reading, and critical thinking. Content focus is on rehearsal and performance of popular and standard concert band literature through large ensemble rehearsals.
Important Dates
Saturday, September 2, 7:00pm, Falcon Stadium: Pep Band at Football game (optional)
Friday, September 8, CSUF Intercollegiate Band: Video Audition Deadline
Saturday, September 9, 8:00am-3:00pm, SCSBOA Young Teachers Conference (Free)
Saturday, September 23, 7:00pm, Falcon Stadium: Pep Band at Football game (optional)
Saturday, September 30, 7:00pm, Falcon Stadium: Pep Band at Football game (optional)
Saturday, October 7, CSUF Intercollegiate Band: Rehearsal
Sunday, October 8, CSUF Intercollegiate Band: Rehearsal and Performance
Monday, October 25, 7pm, Student Center Stage: Band Exchange Concert (free!)
Friday, October 20, 7:00pm, Burnight Theater: Faculty Showcase $$
Saturday, October 21, 7:00pm, Falcon Stadium: Pep Band at Football game (optional)
Saturday, November 4, 7:00pm, Falcon Stadium: Pep Band at Football game (optional)
Wednesday, November 8, 7:00pm, Student Center: Jazz Concert (Free)
Saturday, November 11, 11:00am, City of Cerritos Veterans Day Ceremony (TAPS only!)
Tuesday, November 14, 7pm, Burnight Theater: Fall Exchange concert
November 16-19, MACCC Conference in San Francisco: $50-$75 plus meals (estimate)
Friday, December 15, 7pm, Burnight Theater: Winter Concert ($10)
Fresno Trip scheduled for March 17-18, 2017!!!!
Concert Attire
Concert Black: Black shoes, socks, pants, dress-shirt, suit, tuxedo, blouse, dress, etc.
Student Conduct
The Department of Music assumes that all students will conduct themselves as mature citizens of the campus community and in a manner congruent with university policies and regulations. Inappropriate conduct is subject to disciplinary procedures as detailed in the Cerritos College General Catalog or Schedule of Classes. Refer to “Student Standards of Conduct.” Likewise, the statement of student rights and responsibilities, academic dishonesty, student grievance, and grade grievance procedures, can be found in the same documents or online at: http://cms.cerritos.edu/activities/judicial-affairs.htm It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with these topics and the “Student Standards of Conduct.”
Disabled Student Programs and Services
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) at 562-860-2451 ext. 2335 or http://cms.cerritos.edu/dsps/ , as early as possible in the term.
Financial Aid
Any changes in your enrollment may affect your financial aid award disbursement amounts which could result in an over-award, and you may owe repayment of your financial aid funds. This includes withdrawals and drops. For further information please visit the financial aid office or contact (562) 860-2451 Ext. 2397. The Financial Aid website is: http://cms.cerritos.edu/financial-aid/
Final Exam and Final Performance
The final exam is comprised of a written self-evaluation in which each student will demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking skills by assessing the following performance, rehearsal, and sight reading components: pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, tone quality, intonation, tempo, pulse, style, sight reading, phrasing, technique, participation, preparedness, and punctuality. The final exam is the assessment tool for SLO #4. The Final Exam will take place on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 from 8:00-10:00pm in room BC-53. A sign-up sheet will be made available three weeks prior to the final exam date. Arrangements to submit the self-evaluation at an earlier date may be made by request from the student and mutual agreement by the instructor and student. The Final Performance will take place Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7:00pm in the Burnight Theater.
iFALCON Academic Success Guide
This guide compiles the college’s various student guides to successful academic planning and behavior. Want to get information on how to succeed as a student? Check out this site: http://cms.cerritos.edu/uploads/ifalcon/iFALCON_Academic_Success_Guide_Fall_2012.pdf
The Habits of Mind are a common set of skills and practices that successful students possess. iFalcon is a site dedicated to helping students understand and use the skills and practices that successful students possess.
Below is a summary of the six skills described in iFalcon
Focus on the work to be done
Advance your skills and education by always improving
Link Up with other like-minded students, faculty, and campus services to help you along your educational path
Comprehend your course material instead of just reading and absorbing it
Organize your life to reach your goals
Try New Ideas to accelerate your learning and improve your skills
We will use music rehearsals and performances to explore these strategies, and through this practice, as you comprehend the course material, you will learn to express yourself and the course material more effectively.
Performance and important dates are noted on the syllabus. You should check your syllabus weekly for these dates and to focus on the practice to be done in preparation for the upcoming rehearsal or performance. Organize your schedule to make sure you have time to practice the necessary pieces and so you have scheduled the necessary time to attend all events listed on the syllabus.
Consider taking contact information for 3 classmates on the first day of class. Creating relationships in class is a great way to advance on your path to success. Plan to link up with these students both in the event that you miss class and need to find out what is expected for the next class and to work in small group or sectional rehearsals.
Take personal responsibility for your actions both inside and outside of class. We will be covering a large amount of music at every rehearsal. Your willingness to focus in rehearsal is directly related to your success in class. Likewise, if you find yourself overwhelmed with responsibility due to family, jobs, and school commitments, use new ideas to solve your problems rather than succumbing to pressure and feel free to speak with me about possible solutions. For example, link up with me during my office hours if you have any issues to discuss.
Please be sure that you turn off all cell phones. Setting your phone to vibrate is not an option. You cannot focus in class if you are being distracted by a vibrating cell phone. Text messages can wait until the class break or after class.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
1. Student will demonstrate proficiency in public performance practices by participating in required concerts in a manner conducive to the success of a concert band, to include: Demonstration of proficient musical skills in a concert band setting, participation, proper concert attire, punctuality, equipment and material preparedness.
2. Student will demonstrate proficiency in understanding responsibilities and respect to the concert band membership and objectives in rehearsals through punctuality, participation, equipment and materials preparedness, and adhering to the Cerritos College Standards for Student Conduct.
3. Student will demonstrate proficiency in sight reading skills by rehearsing a concert band selection on sight, with consideration for pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, tone quality, intonation, tempo, pulse, phrasing, and appropriate style. Opportunities to progress towards proficiency in developing sight reading skills will be given in concert band rehearsal settings throughout the term.
4. Student will demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking skills by assessing the following components in a self-evaluation form: pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, tone quality, intonation, tempo, pulse, style, sight reading, phrasing, technique, participation, preparedness, and punctuality.
Student Learning Outcomes Point Breakdown
Assessment Object Points
SLO #1 Demonstrate proficiency in public performance practices
SLO #1: Performance 1 100
SLO #1: Performance 2 100
SLO #1: Performance 3 100
SLO #2 Demonstrate proficiency in rehearsal practices
Students begin with all points; points are deducted as appropriate
SLO #2: Rehearsal punctuality (5 points deducted for each tardy) 100
SLO #2: Rehearsal participation (same deduction) 100
SLO #2: Rehearsal equipment and material preparedness (same) 100
SLO #3: Demonstrate proficiency in sight reading skills
SLO #3: 10 points each musical element listed in SLO #3 100
SLO #4 Critical thinking through self-evaluation
SLO #4: Individual skills 100
SLO #4: Performance practices 100
SLO #4: Rehearsal practices 100
TOTAL POINTS FOR ALL SLO LINE ITEMS: 1000
Student Learning Outcomes Points Overview (Grading)
Your cumulative grade for the semester will be determined by assessing the five Student Learning Outcomes. The SLO’s will be calculated as follows:
SLO #1: Performances = 30% (300 points)
SLO #2: Rehearsals = 30% (300 points)
SLO #3: Sight Reading = 10% (100 points)
SLO #4: Critical Thinking = 30% (300 points)
Total: = 100% (1000 points)
Point to Letter Grade Conversion
A = 90%-100% (900-1000 points)
B = 80%-89% (800-899 points)
C = 70%-79% (700-799 points)
D = 60%-69% (600-699 points)
F = 59% and below (599 points or less)
Extra Credit
Extra credit may be available and is at the discretion of the instructor.
Cerritos College Equipment and music
You are required to return all music and/or Cerritos College equipment/instruments that were assigned to you during the term. A hold may be placed on your student account if items are not returned.
Attendance
Attendance is assessed through your participation (SLOs #1 and #2). It is expected that students will attend all class sessions as identified on the syllabus, arrive ready to begin promptly at the scheduled time fully prepared to participate and engage in rehearsals and performances. You should organize your schedule to accommodate your attendance.
Excused Absences:
Excused absences require verifiable documentation and include personal, family or medical emergencies, legitimate conflict related to a Cerritos College obligation, or death in the immediate or extended family. Work, homework, or studying/practicing for an exam, are not excused absences.