THREE O’CLOCK LAB BAND

MULB 1808, MULB 5174

Spring 2016 Syllabus

Time: M-TH 3-3:50pm

Location: MU282 - Kenton Hall

Instructor: Tanya Darby

Office: MU 274

Email:

Office Hours: TBA

Course Description:

Students will rehearse and perform large ensemble works of influential artists past and present. Varying repertoire will be used to develop effective rehearsal technique,performance etiquette, appropriate stylistic interpretation, sight reading skills, and to gain overall knowledge of big band repertoire.

Course Objectives:

  • Expose students to influential big band composers and arrangers of various styles.
  • Understanding the roles of the lead players, specific instruments, and sections.
  • Develop sight reading skills.
  • Promote proper stylistic interpretation.
  • Discuss the importance of intonation, balance, blend, and dynamic contrast as they relate to the sections as well as the ensemble.
  • Intricacies of improvising in a large ensemble.
  • Encourage regular practice and sectional rehearsal.
  • Provide environment for constructive peer evaluation.

Student Objectives:

  • The student should have an understanding of the role of their specific instrument in the section and ensemble.
  • The student should have a working knowledge of influential big band composers and arrangers.
  • The Student should be able to lead the section and ensemble in rehearsal.
  • The student should demonstrate the ability to properly phrase and interpret music in relation to style, period, and genre of a given piece.

Student Expectations:

  • Students are expected to attend all rehearsals.
  • Students must be prepared and on time for all rehearsals.
  • Sections leaders must schedule and lead weekly sectionals. Instructors must be notified of date and time in advance.
  • Students are expected to be attentive and alert during rehearsal.
  • Students are expected to communicate respectfully with other students and with me.
  • Students must listen to all pertinent material on their own time to have a better understanding of the repertoire.

You Can Expect Me To:

  • Treat students with respect.
  • Be on time and prepared.
  • Allow reasonable time for questions and discussion.
  • Be available outside of class via email.
  • Speak with disruptive students impeding the learning experience for other students.
  • Apply policies fairly to all students.

Attendance:

  • Regular attendance is of utmost importance for successful development - therefore attendance is MANDATORY for all rehearsals.
  • Five unexcused absences will result in an automatic F. I must be notified in advance if you need to be excused for professional engagements, university-sponsored events (i.e. ensemble performances, tours) or legitimate illness. The Dean of Students office must document all absences due to illness in order to be considered an excused absence.
  • ALL absences require students tonotify me and send a sub to cover their chair. Absent student must provide sub with music in advance.

Performance schedule as of date (subject to change):

Feb. 10: 9pm @ The Syndicate

Feb. 18: 12pm @ The Syndicate

Mar. 30: 9pm @ The Syndicate

Method of Evaluation/Grading:

Students will be evaluated based on progress, performance, and attendance.

Performance 40%

Progress 30%

Attendance 30%

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 You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.

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 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 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:

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:

Student Perceptions of Teaching (SPOT):

Student feedback is important and an essential part of participation in this course. The student evaluation of instruction is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. The short SPOT survey will be made available April 18th – May 1st to provide you with an opportunity to evaluate how this course is taught. For the spring 2016semester you will receive an email on April 18th (12:01 a.m.) from "UNT SPOT Course Evaluations via IASystem Notification" () with the survey link. Please look for the email in your UNT email inbox. Simply click on the link and complete your survey. Once you complete the survey you will receive a confirmation email that the survey has been submitted. For additional information, please visit the spot website at or email .