SyllabusWestmont Orchestra: Working Artistically

MUA-183WA-12016-2017

Psalm 150 Praise the LORD.

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

For all rehearsals and concerts, please turn off all electronic devices except for tuners before entering the room.

Instructors:Dr. Michael Shasberger

Music Hall #210X 6280shasberger@westmont.edu - Office Hours by appointment

Dr. Han Soo KimX 6268hankim@westmont.edu - Office Hours: by appointment

Section Coaches:Dr. Paul Mori, wind/brass/percussionOthers as designated

Rehearsals – Always check the distributed weekly rehearsal schedule for specific call times and locations!Regular rehearsals: Deane Chapel

Tuesday & Thursday6:30 – 8:00 P.M.

Course DescriptionThe Westmont Orchestra performs works for full orchestra, and string orchestra. Members of the Westmont Orchestra also form smaller chamber groups such as string quartets and wind quintets whenever possible. Auditions for membership and placement are held during the first week of classes.

The study and practice includes various style periods and composers from the Renaissance through the Twenty first century. The ensemble is comprised of strings, winds, brass and percussion. The Westmont Orchestra performs a major concert each semester and collaborates with other ensembles for the annual Christmas and Masterworks concerts. The Westmont Orchestra also appears in chapel, at civic events, and travels on tour.

PURPOSEThe purpose of the Westmont Orchestra is to honor God through the gifts given to each member of the orchestra by creating an artistic and expressive ensemble.

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALSThe Westmont Orchestra fulfills the major ensemble requirement for instrumental music majors/minors and provides elective credit for all students. The orchestra offers opportunities to develop individual and ensemble skills, explore their personal creativity and faith development, and develop significant relationships with peers.

The Westmont Orchestra seeks to build in each student the ability to develop and demonstrate advanced performance and leadership skills. Enrollment at the lower division level (i.e. 083) is intended to focus on preparing the student for expectations of leadership and mastery at the upper division (183) level. Concerts and appearances in worship and other community functions serve as opportunities for students to demonstrate and refine these skills. Multiple performances and presentations of the repertoire are scheduled in order to refine performance skills.

Role of MUA 183WA in the General Education Curriculum:The course MUA 183WA satisfies the Productions and Presentations requirement of the Competent and

Compassionate Action category of the General Education curriculum. Courses satisfying this requirement provide a substantial opportunity for advanced creative production and performance or presentation. Upper-division courses in a wide variety of disciplines provide suitable occasions for students to complete a major project.

Orchestral training and performance are significant creative acts in the spirit of the liberal arts tradition. In the course of ensemble rehearsal and performance, as well as individual practice, students should develop not only in the areas of instrumental technique and musical skill, but also in affective areas, such as patience, perseverance, and humility. Through public performance at an advanced level, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate these skills and attributes, to practice courage, and to grapple with biblical standards of excellence. Thus, students of MUA 183WA will have ample opportunity to fulfill this important General Education requirement.

NB: This GE area is only application to current Sophomores through Seniors

The course MUA 183WA satisfies the Working Artistically requirement of the Common Inquiries category of the General Education Curriculum. Courses satisfying this requirement develop students’ understanding of the fine arts and performing arts, including music, visual arts, or theatre. Such courses develop and expand perceptual faculties, develop foundational physical practices integral to the art form, and explore the critical principles which guide artists in the area. They require the production of at least a modest amount of art as a means of understanding the process by which artists create, and include formal reflection on the general principles underlying artistic production.

Students enrolled in MUA 183WA will produce a substantial amount of musical art over the course of the semester. They will formally reflect on the principles underlying this production in a culminating essay (see handout “Reflective Essay”).

At least three semesters of a combination of MUA 083/183 are required before enrolling in MUA 183WA.

DEDICATIONStudents are asked to make a commitment to a full year of membership in the orchestra and strive for unblemished rehearsal attendance. Exemplary punctuality and creative musical contributions to all concerts, worship services, and spring tour are expected.

Regular Rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8:00Watch for specific all and location notices for sectionals and repertoire.

Grading Policy: A students will exhibit exemplary attendance and rehearsal preparation, and will participate in all activities with a

positive attitude and enthusiasm. Student will be prepared to play artistically at all performance events and will contribute to the creative atmosphere of rehearsals. Students will volunteer for leadership roles in the ensemble and be prepared for concerts by the time of the stand-by-stand hearings.

B students will be faithful to the attendance and practice policies outlined below with few exceptions. They will be prepared and competent for all performance events, and will contribute positively to the culture of the orchestra. They will be prepared to respond to coaching at the stand-by-stand hearings.

C students will fall below the expected standards of attendance and practice. They will be reasonably prepared for all or almost all performance activities and will not detract from the positive atmosphere and progress of the orchestra. They will be encouraged to improve on certain behaviors in order to continue their participation in the ensemble. Often these students need follow up after their stand-by-stand hearings.

D and below students will not be in compliance with the minimum expected standards for performance, attendance and practice. They will be required to demonstrate significant improvement in areas of noted deficiency in order to be allowed to continue with the ensemble. Often need to repeat stand-by-stand hearings multiple times.

Students enrolled at the 183 course level will be expected to show independent musicianship and performance skills in addition to leadership in the ensemble to demonstrate the qualities required for the general education credit offered at this level.

Attendance/Rehearsal Preparation PolicyEvery member of the ensemble is responsible for attending and preparing for every rehearsal and performance for which they are called. Some musicians will not be called for specific events due to fluctuations in scoring. The performance of the ensemble depends on each member’s commitment to full participation. Grading is effected by non-attendance as follows:For absences

0 – 2 absences from regular rehearsals No effectAdditional absences from regular rehearsals ½ letter grade reduction per absenceAbsence from dress rehearsal ½ letter grade reductionAbsence from performance (including tour concerts) full letter grade reduction

Special circumstances regarding absences may include:Pre-authorized conflicts with other academic classes do not count toward the total of absencesCircumstances of professional or personal emergencies when an approved substitute is obtained by the musician in advance with appropriate rehearsal preparation and consent of the conductor

Members are expected to arrive at rehearsal in time to be fully prepared at the start of rehearsal. Being seated and ready to play 10 minutes in advance of the start of each rehearsal is recommended and is a common professional standard, in addition it is a customary courtesy to notify the conductor as far in advance as possible of absences. Members arriving late may be counted as absent. Musicians should expect to participate in a stand-by-stand hearing for each concert set.

Ensemble members are encouraged to practice at least 20 minutes a day between all regularly scheduled rehearsals on ensemble repertoire. Some musicians may need more practice time in order to minimally prepare while others may use this time to memorize or increase their artistic performance level on the repertoire.

Concert AttireAll musicians must have:Women: Long black dress or black dress slacks, and black top. Men: Black tux or suit including black pants,

Black dress shoes and black socks, black bow tie, white shirt.Please see the orchestra handbook for details.

Alternative attire will be established for Chapel and other less formal occasions.Students needing assistance in obtaining performance attire should consult the

instructors. A tuxedo order will be placed through the music office early in the semester.

Music Department Colloquia & RecitalsEvery Tuesday, 12:10-12:40 PM, in Deane Chapel

All music majors and minors are required, and ensemble members are encouraged to attend. The Colloquia are a time for applied music students and faculty to encourage each other through performance and discussions of pertinent topics of common interest.

"All private students are expected to attend at least seven colloquia/recitals. All music majors and minors are expected to attend all colloquia/recitals."

Music Department Handbook

“We are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams”Willy Wonka

Westmont Orchestra Calendar 2016-2017Rehearsals: Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. Deane Chapel

2 to 3 morning Westmont Chapel appearances still TBD for Spring Term

FALL SEMESTER 2016August28-31 Auditions!30, Tuesday: All musician ice-cream social gathering on the Deane lawn! 6:30 P.M. bring

curious friends.September10th, Saturday: Orchestra Retreat, Santa Ynez Presbyterian Church11th, Sunday: Orchestra Retreat, Santa Ynez Presbyterian ChurchOctober17th, Monday: Play for Chapel21st, Friday: Fall Orchestra Concert, Westmont College Page Hall MPR, 7:00 p.m. 23rd, Sunday: Fall Orchestra Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 3:00 p.m.November12th, Saturday: Veteran's Day Concert, Veteran’s Center, 2:00 p.m.21st, Monday: Christmas Festival rehearsal, Deane, 5:00 – 6:30 P.M.27th, Sunday: Christmas Festival rehearsal. Deane, 7:00 – 9:30 P.M.30th, Wednesday: Christmas Festival rehearsal, First Presbyterian Church 6:30 p.m.December1st. Thursday: Christmas Festival rehearsal, First Presbyterian Church 6:30 p.m.2nd, Friday: Eleventh Annual Christmas Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 7:00 p.m.3rd, Saturday: Eleventh Annual Christmas Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 2:00 p.m.3rd, Saturday: Eleventh Annual Christmas Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 7:00 p.m.4th, Sunday: Eleventh Annual Christmas Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 3:00 p.m.9th, Friday: Play for Chapel

SPRING SEMESTER 2017January 10th, Tuesday: First rehearsal of termFebruary12th, Sunday: Make up rehearsal, Deane 7:00 P.M.17th, Friday: Orchestra Tour to D.C.18th, Saturday: Orchestra Tour19th, Sunday: Orchestra Tour 20th, Monday: Orchestra Tour 21st, Tuesday: Orchestra Tour 24th, Friday: Spring Orchestra Concert, Hahn Hall, 7:00 p.m. 26th, Sunday: Spring Orchestra Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 3:00 p.m. March24th, Friday: Choral Masterworks rehearsal, First United Methodist Church 2:00 – 5:3026th, Sunday: Spring Choral Masterworks Concert, First United Methodist, 3:00 p.m.April27th, Thursday: Orchestra Concerto Concert, Westmont College Page Hall MPR, 7:00 28th, Friday: Orchestra Concerto Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 7:00 p.m.May 5th, Friday: Baccalaureate6th, Saturday: Commencement