University of Louisville

School of Music
Course Syllabus

COURSE: Minor Ensemble (Jazz Combo)

COURSE NO: 519
CREDIT HOURS: .5
PREREQUISITE: by audition and by approval of the instructor
MEETING TIME: by arrangement
CLASSROOM: 311 or 310
INSTRUCTOR / OFFICE / PHONE / E-MAIL:

Ansyn Banks Email- [email protected] Office: MUS 334

Phone: 502-852-1858

OFFICE HOURS: by appointment; hours posted on the office door

OBJECTIVES:
The objective of the jazz improvisation class (combo, ensemble) is to enable the student to experience the
jazz idiom through actual performance. It is the expressed desire of the director to assist the student in developing
a lasting appreciation of jazz and improvised music. The main thrust of the ensemble is improvisation.
Similarities between quality music of other idioms and established jazz works are stressed. Selected pieces
by the jazz masters constitute the majority of the material for performance. The chosen material is varied in style,
tempo and difficulty while keeping in mind the educational needs of the ensemble. Each member of the ensemble
is encouraged to experience the act of improvisation and will be given the opportunity to perform in concerts
during the semester.
The ensemble is a collective effort and can only be enhanced through the interaction of all involved
individuals. Students are invited to express opinions concerning their participation throughout the entire process,
thus allowing the director to better monitor their needs.

ADMISSION TO THE JAZZ IMPROVISATION CLASS _ COMBO:

Participation in the Jazz Improvisation Class _ Combo is open to students of the School of Music and
other interested performers from the University and the community. Admission will be through consultation with
the director. Auditions may be required.

REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals are to be announced depending on student auditions and schedules.

ADDITIONAL REHEARSALS:
If additional rehearsals are needed for a concert, a day, time and place will be decided by the instructor
after consultation with the ensemble, at least one week prior to the rehearsal.

CONCERTS: (all concerts in Bird Hall)

Times TBA, chosen from Jazz Area schedule.
ATTENDANCE:
Every member of a jazz combo is important, and missed rehearsals/performances hinder the advancement
of the ensemble. Students are expected to attend all classes except in the case of excused absences. Excused
absences include illness and death in the family. If you must miss a rehearsal due to illness or death in the family,
it is your responsibility to provide a suitable substitute. Additionally, you must guarantee that your folder is
present at all rehearsals. Missing rehearsals/performances for other playing opportunities is not acceptable and
will be considered an unexcused absence.

GRADES:
Grades will be determined by three elements: Rehearsal and performance attendance (objective),
fulfillment of the arranging requirement (objective/subjective), and participation/communication within the
designated combo rehearsals and concerts (subjective). A breakdown of each element follows:

Rehearsal Attendance: each letter grade is divided into three grade units, comprising the letter grade
itself and a plus or minus for that letter grade (ex: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, etc.). Each unexcused absence will result
in the loss of two grade units from the highest possible grade attainable for the class. For example, with one
unexcused absence, the highest possible grade would be an A-; with two unexcused absences, the highest possible
grade would be a B; with three, the highest possible grade would be a C+, etc.
Tardiness will also be carefully monitored. Each student will be allowed two "free" late arrivals of less
than 10 minutes before the grade is affected. Beyond this stipulation, each subsequent display of tardiness will
result in the loss of one grade unit. Any tardiness of more than 10 minutes will result in the loss of a grade unit,
and after 20 minutes, any tardiness counts the same as an absence.

Arranging Requirement: Each student will write at least one arrangement of a jazz standard of his or
her choosing per semester for rehearsal and possible performance. This arrangement must be original work, must
utilize each instrument in the ensemble at hand, and must include both a concert score (to be turned into the
instructor at the beginning of the rehearsal) and a transposed part for each instrument in the ensemble. The
arrangements need not be terribly complex, but must show an effort on the part of the student to present the
material of the standard chosen in the student's own individual voice. Undergraduate students will be required to
complete one arrangement per semester, and graduate students must complete two. For any student writing more
than one arrangement in any given semester, the second arrangement may be an original work if desired.
Scores and parts for all arrangements must be turned in before the end of the semester, and no grades will
be given by the instructor until the arranging requirement is completed and turned in.

Participation/Communication: While each student's arrangement is being rehearsed and/or performed,

that student will be in effect be the "leader" of the combo, and as such must display appropriate communication
skills when instructing his or her fellow students regarding the interpretation of the arrangement. During this
process, the student in charge of directing the rehearsal must display respect at all times for his or her fellow
performers. All criticism of other students during this time must be constructive, and positive reinforcement is
strongly encouraged. Excessive negativity during rehearsals will result in a lowered grade for participation.
Students are also encouraged to display an appropriate amount of concern for the proper performance of their
arrangements, and to put forth the effort required to ensure that each arrangement is performed to the best of the
abilities of the performers in the ensemble.

INSTUCTIONAL MODIFICATIONS:
Students with disabilities, who need reasonable modifications to complete assignments successfully and
otherwise satisfy course criteria, are encouraged to meet with the instructor as early in the course as possible to
identify and plan specific accommodations. The University of Louisville strives to maintain the campus free of
all forms of illegal discrimination as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students. Sexual harassment
is unacceptable and unlawful conduct and will not be tolerated in the workplace and the educational environment.
Title IX/Clery Act Notification
Sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and any other nonconsensual behavior of a sexual nature)
and sex discrimination violate University policies. Students experiencing such behavior may obtain confidential support
from the PEACC Program (852-2663), Counseling Center (852-6585), and Campus Health Services (852-6479). To report
sexual misconduct or sex discrimination, contact the Dean of Students (852-5787) or University of Louisville Police (852-
6111).

Sexual Harassment
The University of Louisville strives to maintain the campus free of all forms of illegal discrimination as a place of work
and study for faculty, staff, and students. Sexual harassment is unacceptable and unlawful conduct and will not be
tolerated in the workplace and the educational environment. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment, even when carried out through computers
or other electronic communications systems.

I believe that everyone should be able to participate in my class without the fear of sexual harassment, and I am
committed to the university's policy. Additionally, certain behaviors are inappropriate even if they do not meet the
technical criteria for harassment. Be respectful to each other.

Students with Disabilities

The University of Louisville is committed to providing access to programs and services for qualified students with
disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodation to participate and complete requirements for
this class, notify me immediately and contact the Disability Resource Center (Stevenson Hall, 502.852.6938) for
verification of eligibility and determination of specific accommodations.

Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty is prohibited at the University of Louisville. It is a serious offense because it diminishes the quality
of scholarship, makes accurate evaluation of student progress impossible, and defrauds those in society who must
ultimately depend upon the knowledge and integrity of the institution and its students and faculty.

Religious Holidays and Observances

Federal law and university policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of religious belief. It is the policy of the University
of Louisville to accommodate students, faculty, and staff who observe religious work-restricted holy days.

Students: Students who observe work-restricted religious holy days must be allowed to do so without jeopardizing their
academic standing in any course. Faculty are obliged to accommodate students' request(s) for adjustments in course work
on the grounds of religious observance, provided that the student(s) make such request(s) in writing during the first two
(2) weeks of term.

Statement on Diversity
The University of Louisville strives to foster and sustain an environment of inclusiveness that empowers us all to achieve
our highest potential without fear of prejudice or bias.
We commit ourselves to building an exemplary educational community that offers a nurturing and challenging intellectual
climate, a respect for the spectrum of human diversity, and a genuine understanding of the many differences-including
race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, disability, religion,
national origin or military status-that enrich a vibrant metropolitan research university. We expect every member of our
academic family to embrace the underlying values of this vision and to demonstrate a strong commitment to attracting,
retaining and supporting students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of our larger society.