the Washington County

Youth Orchestra

WCYO is sponsored by the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Wisconsin-Washington County

the

Washington County

Youth Orchestra

The Syllabus

(Fall, 2007)

Philosophy:

Music ensembles are the ultimate in teamwork - even more so than sports because everyone wins.  I believe that there is no place for competition in music.  One of my favorite sayings, by an unknown author, is

"One doesn't make music against someone else."

Minimum Proficiencies:

* Integrate knowledge and experience to arrive at creative solutions.
* Work collaboratively as part of a team.
* Employ and expand imagination.
* Engage in creative expression.
* Respond to the fine arts and literature with knowledge and sensitivity.

Purpose:

To rehearse and perform difficult and rewarding music.  The difficulty of the music will be what a student can expect from a university's wind ensemble.

Chair Assignments:

Auditions for chair placement will be held during the first rehearsal of the semester, which will also be the first sectional.  All chair seating will be the sole responsibility of the Conductor, with input by the section coaches.

Student Expectations:

Each student is expected to do the following:

Every student is expected to:

·         stay to the end of rehearsals.

·         put his or her stand away at the end of rehearsals.

·         know his or her part.

·         contact the section coach or the conductor if you are having trouble with your part.

·         conduct yourself in a professional manner.

·         respect everyone’s opinions, property, and person at all times!

You should expect to:

• be challenged and intellectually stimulated by the music.
• spend time outside of class practicing your parts.
• have an instructor who knows the music and conveys this knowledge in various terms or explanations you can comprehend.
• receive help when you are struggling, and feel free to approach me.
• do well in this course if all these expectations (yours and mine) are fulfilled!

Missing Rehearsals or The Concert:

If you must miss a rehearsal, please let me know before the date.  There are some circumstances, though few, that I will won't count a missed rehearsal for an absence.  Excuses such as, "I am scheduled to work" will not count.

There is no way to make up a concert, so don't ask.

Tardiness:

In a group setting such as band, tardiness is disruptive.  Please don't be tardy.  Because group cohesion is so important, I must take tardiness into consideration when grading.

Likewise, if a student has to leave early, I must add up those minutes in the same manner.

The minutes will add up and go against Absences.  If a person is fifteen minutes late for ten rehearsals, the highest grade he or she could earn is an A-.

Grading:

First, see "Student Expectations".  The following table will be used to determine the highest grade possible:

Cell Phone and Pager Policy:

Cell phones and pagers are disruptive in any learning environment, but in a musical ensemble, they are even more so.  Please turn off your cell phones before rehearsal.  Simply making them silent is not tolerable.  If cell phones or pagers become a problem, I will have to collect them all before each rehearsal and return them afterward.  If they continue to be a problem throughout the semester, I reserve the right to lower the individual's grade.

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If you notice any mistakes regarding this syllabus, please notify me. Thank you.

Changes to this syllabus will be announced in class as necessary (another good reason to attend all classes)!