I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Jazz Band

2. Course Prefix & Number:
MUSC 1405

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 1

Lab Hours: 3

4. Course Description:

This performing group encompasses age levels from high school to adult and musicianship levels from intermediate to expert in a Jazz Band setting. The group prepares and performs traditional and contemporary Jazz literature in public performance with one concert per semester and other public performances as opportunities present. This course is repeatable.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading

Score:

56

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Intermediate level skills on woodwind, brass or percussion instruments are required for participation in the band.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Minnesota State University-Moorhead, MUS 329 A-H Performaing Ensemble Jazz, 1 credit
St. Cloud State University, MUSP 158 Jazz Band, 1 credit

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Rehearsal of written music for group performance
Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills	Demonstrating cooperation and mutual assistance with other musicians in the rehearsal setting.
Work as a team member to achieve shared goals	Create a situation where all members must cooperate to achieve a successful and musical performance.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Contribute leadership and group effort within their section of the band. MnTC Goal 6
• Play cohesively as part of the group. MnTC Goal 6
• Read and interpret concert band literature with appropriate style and sound. MnTC Goal 6
• Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.  Students will prepare and perform compositions from various historical periods and band music styles.  
• Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context. Students will know and understand what the compositions represent in the context of the period in which they were created.  
• Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.  Students will be encouraged to give their critical reaction to the compositions being prepared and to the quality of the performance.  
• Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance. Students will be expected to contribute their interpretive and musical skills in the preparation process.  
• Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.  Students will be expected to articulate their reactions to the music, the performance and the preparation process.  

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

Explanation of any special instructions necessary to perform the piece being prepared.

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions

A sufficient warm-up routine will be used at the beginning of each rehearsal with individual and group tuning. Major scales will be used as a part of this routine to make sure all members are familiar with the scales. The literature chosen will reflect various styles and periods of Jazz History appropriate for the skill level of the band. Performance needs may dictate the nature of some of the literature but a variety of styles and periods will be represented as much as is possible.

1. Warm up
• Individual tuning
• Group tuning
2. Rehearse
• Discussion of historical music period
• Discussion of music style
• Rehearsal of compositions appropriate to the skill level of the performers
3. Performance
• Annual Concerts
• Concerts on other occasions as determined by instructor