CERRITOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

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 jazz band literature through large jazz 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)

TBA: Performance at local shelter, senior center, children’s hospital, or VA hospital

 

 

Concert Attire

Black shoes, black pants, Black shirt, Loud Tie

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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 Wednesday, December 13, 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.

 

 

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.”

 

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.

 

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 you 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/

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.pdfThe 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.

 

Click on the icon below to access iFalcon

 

           

Below is a summary of 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 jazz band, to include:  Demonstration of proficient musical skills in a jazz band setting, participation, proper concert attire, punctuality, equipment and material preparedness.

 

2.  Student will demonstrate proficiency in understanding responsibilities and respect to the jazz 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 jazz 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 jazz 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 quarter 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+  = 98%-100%                    (980-1000 points)

A    = 94%-97%                      (940-979 points)

A-  = 90%-93%                       (900-939 points)

B+  = 87%-89%                      (870-899 points)

B    = 84%-86%                      (840-869 points)

B-  = 80%-83%                       (800-839 points)

C+ = 77%-79%                       (770-799 points)

C   = 74%-76%                       (740-769 points)

C-  = 70%-73%                       (700-739 points)

D+ = 67%-69%                       (670-699 points)

D   = 64%-66%                       (640-669 points)

D-  = 60%-63%                       (600-639 points)

F    = 59% and below              (599 points or less)

 

 

Extra Credit

 

Extra credit is available and at the discretion of the instructor.

 

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.