COURSE SYLLABUS

MUEN 1125 – Jazz Band

Dr. Thomas Singletary

tsingletary@nctc.edu

 

 

Course Title:	Jazz Band               Tuesday 2:00-3:20                                  Thursday ONLINE through Canvas/Webex                                  Thursday instruction times based on instrumental section
Course Prefix & Number:		MUEN 1125	Section Number:	0100	Semester/Year:	FALL 20
Semester Credit Hours:		1	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): The band performs both traditional and contemporary jazz literature. A number of performances are given both on and off campus (including some travel). Open to all students (audition required). 48 laboratory hours.
Course Prerequisite(s): Ability to read music, and previous performance experience on a wind/percussion instrument (or string bass).
Required or Recommended Course Materials: An instrument. NCTC has some instruments available for rental from the school; see Dr. Singletary for details.

 

 

 

Dr. Singletary’s office hours

ONLINE OFFICE HOURS:

 

Mondays & Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Or, anytime BY APPOINTMENT: e-mail tsingletary@nctc.edu to arrange a meeting.

Online help sessions will be scheduled throughout the semester—see the announcements in Canvas for specifics.

 

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage
15	Prompt (on time) attendance at rehearsals (see below regarding details)	50%
10	Online performance projects/assignments. Each counts 5% of semester grade.	50%
1	Attendance at performances	Must attend all performances to earn a passing grade in the course

 

Class Goals:   To rehearse and perform excellent wind & percussion literature with musical

                                    understanding and artistic intent.

 

 

 

Attendance Policy:    Students’ grades and scholarships are based largely on prompt attendance at rehearsals and performances.  Each member of the ensemble is musically dependent on the others, and tardiness to rehearsals will result in a lowered grade and a rescinded scholarship.  Miss no more than 2 scheduled classes for any reason—both absences are excused, but there are no other excused absences, including sickness, family emergency, verified NCTC events, performances off campus, etc. For each absence above 2 the final grade for the course will be lowered a letter grade (e.g. with a 3rd absence an “A” becomes a “B”). Significantly late arrivals or early departures (more than five minutes) will count as an absence. If you are physically present but disengaged with the class (e.g., using your phone, reading, doing homework for another class, or sleeping), you may be considered absent.  An unexcused absence from a performance may result in failure of the course and/or removal from the ensemble.

 

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.

 

Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College.

From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 2, 2020.

 

Grading:                      Based on attendance and preparation. Lack of reasonable class preparation can be grounds for the lowering of one-half letter grade per occurrence.  It is a requirement to notify (by e-mail) the Director (Dr. Singletary) well in advance of any anticipated absence, AND be responsible for all music (and a Director pre-approved substitute) to be present even if you are not!  Please respect the quality of the experience for your colleagues by taking care of these matters in a professional way.

 

Concert Dress:            Option 1:

For evenings: Black tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie, black dress shoes, and black socks.  For daytime concerts: Black suit, white shirt, tie, black dress shoes, and black socks.

“Pit black”: Black suit pants, black button-down shirt, black socks, black shoes.

 

Option 2:

Floor-length black skirt, black pants (no denim), or black dress meeting all specifications. Long-sleeved black blouse. Black/dark pantyhose, black dress shoes, simple jewelry. No décolletage, bare shoulders, necklines, or midriffs. Open-toed shoes or sandals are acceptable with dark stockings or pantyhose.

 

PERFORMANCES:

TBA (plans are not possible due to Covid-19 outbreak)

 

 

 

 

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

 

 

 

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct.” 

 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1. Grade of ZERO
2. Dropped from Class

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Thom Talbott
Office Location:	Center for Performing Arts / Gainesville
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731
E-mail Address:	ttalbott@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Sara Flusche
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus
Telephone Number:	940-668-3321
E-mail Address:	sflusche@nctc.edu

 

Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Temporary COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

• Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

• Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
• Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
• Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
• Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
• Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
• Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
• Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During this period, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

 

 

JAZZ BAND

FALL 2020

Dr. Thomas Singletary, Conductor

 

WHEN?

• Tuesdays, 1:40—2:10. Approximately 30 minutes of face-to-face rehearsal/instruction.
• Thursdays, 12:30—1:50. Individual and sectional virtual instruction (some students may be scheduled at a slightly different time based on individual/section availability).

 

WHERE?

All Tuesday rehearsals will take place on stage at the First State Bank Performing Arts Auditorium in Gainesville.  On Thursdays, students will need access to a computer with an internet connection and camera/microphone to receive instruction.

 

WHO?

You and all the potential NCTC musicians you invite. It’s important for you to spread the word that we ARE making music at NCTC this fall! Scholarships available!

 

HOW?

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has affected music-making everywhere. However, musicians around the nation have received excellent guidelines regarding how to safely proceed with live music rehearsal. A national research study, sponsored by the College Band Directors National Association and many other professional music organizations, is available for you to read by clicking the link above.  Here are some main ideas from that research:

• The virus spreads through small liquid droplets suspended in the air—also known as aerosol.  The reason we wear masks is to catch the aerosol as it exits the nose/mouth to prevent spreading the virus. 
• Loud talking, singing, and playing wind instruments produces more aerosol than speaking quietly. Therefore, it is necessary to “mask” the wind instruments, in addition to our faces, while we play.
• Based on the potential spread of aerosol, guidelines are given to distance musicians from one another. Six feet is the general rule (more for trombones).
• There are several important factors to create the safest possible rehearsal conditions:
  • A supply of fresh air is important. The NCTC band hall is inadequate, but some other rooms in the building have better ventilation using outside air.
  • A limit of 30 minutes per rehearsal is recommended unless guidelines are met regarding ventilation with outside air and an adequate combination of cubic volume and number of musicians. (See the link to the Excel spreadsheet). I believe we can meet the criteria to have a 45-minute rehearsal; we will be mindful of time limits, ventilation, etc.
• Personal hygiene is important, and these are changes from what we used to consider “normal.” For example, opening water keys on to the floor is no longer acceptable; containers or absorbent “puppy pads” must be used to collect moisture.
• Research results FAQ page: https://www.nfhs.org/articles/aerosol-study-faq-s-blog/

 

NCTC action steps based on these guidelines:

• We are limiting live rehearsals to once per week.
• We are carefully investigating, measuring, and altering the stage area for rehearsal. The band hall will be off limits.
• We will increase the amount of outside air circulation through the HVAC system and we will open the exterior doors.
• You should come to rehearsal wearing a face mask that will cover your embouchure while you play (see picture). Flute players will put the head joint between their mouth and mask and use a “flute sock” attached to the foot.
• I will provide instrument masks at no charge. If you’d like to make your own, click here to see the link to an instructional YouTube video. 80-denier nylon fabric must be doubled (this is a fancy way of saying TWO pairs of pantyhose.
• We are planning to perform concerts during the semester.  They will be live internet broadcasts with no in-person audience.
• The NCTC Jazz Ensemble will meet under similar circumstances (stage, masks, time restrictions, some virtual instruction).
• The first day of Wind Ensemble is August 25^th at 12:30 PM, and I would like to have a meeting at that time in our auditorium. We will fit instrument masks, talk about procedures, distribute music, and will hopefully have enough time to make music on that day. Social distance rules and masks are required, of course. 

 

WHY?

Because we need music in our lives!

 

On a personal note:

I have always been a “germ freak” (some of you may have noticed the bottles of hand sanitizer on my desk pre-pandemic). My hyper-awareness of the environment prepared me well for social distancing rules, wearing a mask in the grocery store, and accepting the necessity to teach online as needed. I am a firm believer in preventing the spread of COVID-19 through all means necessary, and I don’t believe places like public school classrooms full of children are safe places to be. I am worried about the potentially dangerous school environment surrounding my youngest son who will begin 8^th grade this year; we are constantly reevaluating the options for him.

 

That being said, I believe the rehearsal plan for NCTC Wind Ensemble I’ve outlined above is a good approach. Social distancing, face covers, instrument masking, appropriate preparation of the rehearsal area, time limits, and an overall awareness of the issue makes it so. I am grateful to teach at an institution that allows teachers to make wise decisions regarding their classroom environment. I am grateful for the research that gives us a strategy. I am grateful to have access to a facility that is conducive to our needs regarding time management, fresh air flow, spacing and scheduling. Mostly, I am grateful for my students who seek a musical experience and believe in me and my goals for our program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Auditions for scholarship will be online this year, and they will be scheduled on an individual basis. Returning students should play their audition between August 17-24; please be in touch with me via the Remind App. New students, please send me an email and I will reach out to you; if you haven’t joined our Remind app, please text @nctcwe to 81010. Auditions are short and easy: play as many scales as you’d like, a 60-second solo piece, and sight-read a short piece that I will screenshare with you.

 

Everyone in the group is required to audition and enroll in the class as a student. Audition results (and scholarship funds) will be distributed on or about Friday, August 28^th.

 

There are two types of merit-based music scholarships available.

• Departmental Scholarships are smaller scholarships given through the Music Department at NCTC. Nearly everyone in Wind Ensemble received one of these scholarships at some point in 2019-2020.
• NCTC Foundation Scholarships are a more substantial amount and can even cover full-time tuition costs at 100%. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Syllabus Addendum – Fall 2020 – Student Services

 

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring.  The program helps students acclimate to college by providing free interactive online workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center.

 

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, and a Math Lab to assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students. http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/student-success/tutoring/index.html

First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized services.

http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/trio-student-support-services.html

 

Completion Center

The NCTC Completion Center is a comprehensive student engagement program that increases retention and completion rates of first-time, low income students. Services include:

Success coaching to address students’ academic and non-academic challenges and issues; Success Seminars, and a centralized career readiness and job placement program.

http://www.nctc.edu/student-services/completion-center/index.html

 

Career Services Center

The NCTC Career Services Center is the place you can go for educational and career planning. Services include: Career/Degree Exploration, Job Search Tools and Resources, Resume and Professional Portfolio Development, Interview Skills and Preparation. Our Career Advisors partner with you in making your educational journey an efficient process towards a rewarding career. http://www.nctc.edu/career-services/index.html

 

Counseling and Advising

Support Services, Counseling and Advising staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration) and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/counseling-advising/index.html 

 

Testing Service Center

The mission of NCTC Testing Services is to provide high-quality testing services that adhere to the professional standards and guidelines to meet the needs of students, faculty, and community members. http://www.nctc.edu/testing-center/index.html

 

Early Alert and CARES           

The NCTC Early Alert program assists students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Faculty and staff may refer students through the Early Alert process at any point in the semester in an effort to provide appropriate intervention and access to support services. Examples of behaviors that could prompt an Early Alert referral could be missing assignments, failing tests, excessive absences, or personal circumstances impacting academic performance. A student submitted as an Early Alert will be contacted by an academic advisor or success coach through text, phone, and/or via their NCTC e-mail address to discuss any current challenges as well as helpful resources and success strategies-we want our students to finish strong and know that education is a partnership!

 

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team is concerned not only about our students' academic success, but also their emotional and physical well-being. The CARES Team promotes a safe learning environment for students, faculty, and staff and is committed to taking a proactive approach in helping our students succeed by addressing the mental, emotional or psychological health and safety of the NCTC community. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student, such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. Visit the NCTC CARES site to also locate campus and community resources, or email counseling@nctc.edu to get in touch with a member of the CARES Team directly.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

 

 

Financial Aid

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.   http://www.nctc.edu/financial-aid/index.html

 

Student Success

At NCTC, student success​ is progress towards collegiate goals, reached in an affordable and timely manner, under professional guidance, empowering students to serve skillfully in their chosen role within their community

 

Equity

NCTC defines equity as encompassing the practice of acknowledging individual differences and systemic disparities when developing new programs and resources for our campus community, which may sometimes challenge our own beliefs and assumptions, in order to ensure balanced educational opportunities toward completion.

 

Affinity Groups

Staff and faculty representing the Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), along with academic advisors, counselors and success coaches, serve as mentors for NCTC’s student-centered ​Affinity Groups​.

 

An ​Affinity Group​ is a population of students who have specific needs, barriers or systems they are needing to navigate not only within college, but within life. Providing mentorship, support and resources for identified Affinity Groups such as Black/African American students, veterans and active military, single parents, students with disabilities, adult learners, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and students who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness, enables us to make more impactful, meaningful connections with students who are in dire need of equity and understanding.