I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Brass Ensemble

2. Course Prefix & Number:
MUSC 1415

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 1

Lab Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This performing group encompasses age levels from high school to adult and musicianship levels from intermediate to expert in a brass ensemble setting. The group prepares and performs traditional and contemporary brass ensemble literature in public performance with one concert per year plus public performances in varying venues as opportunities arise.

5. Placement Tests Required:

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:

University of MN-Duluth, MU 1541 Chamber Music (Brass), 1 credit
St. Cloud State University, MUSP 353 Brass Ensemble, 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:

• Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities. MnTC Goal 6
• Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context. MnTC Goal 6
• Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities. MnTC Goal 6
• Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
• Contribute leadership and group effort within their section of the ensemble.
• Play cohesively as part of the group.
• Read and interpret concert band literature with appropriate style and sound.
• Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities. 

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 Brass Ensemble 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