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UMM Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds

Dr. Martin H. Seggelke, Conductor

Spring 2008 SYLLABUS

Rehearsal Days/Times: MWF 3:30-4:50, TR 3:45-4:50
Rehearsal Location: HFA 180 - Rehearsal Hall
Course Number: MUS 1300; Class Number: 46266; Credit Hours: 1

Conductor: Dr. Martin H. Seggelke
Office: HFA 74; Phone: 320-589-6236; E-Mail: seggelke@morris.umn.edu
Office Hours: By appointment - check posting on door

Council President: Erin Gerdes; gerd0048@morris.umn.edu
Vice President: Adam Schmiesing; schm1890@morris.umn.edu
Council Secretary: Kati Hamlin; haml0036@morris.umn.edu

Course Description

The UMM Symphonic Winds, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds rehearse daily and perform several concerts on and off campus throughout the academic year.  Additional sectionals will be held as determined by the conductor and section leaders.  Music selections cover standard and contemporary wind literature.  The ensembles are open to all UMM students, faculty, staff and community members by audition.

Auditions and Seating Assignments

All (returning and new) students who wish to be a part of the UMM wind ensembles are required to audition every fall semester before classes begin.  Students who wish to join the ensembles for the spring semester will audition in January, before spring semester classes begin.  Auditions consist of one slower and one faster excerpt of the students' choice.

Balancing students' indicated interests and ensemble needs, the conductor determines seating assignments.  Students will rotate parts in order to be exposed to a variety of experiences within the ensemble and in order to spread out the "workload" more evenly.  Thus, initial part assignments do not reflect students' abilities or " rankings".

Council

UMM has a tradition of having vibrant Ensemble Councils.  The Symphonic Winds Council is comprised of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, two managers, two upper-class members-at-large, two first year student members-at-large, a web-administrator and two librarians.  These students provide leadership, inspiration, and aid in the organizational matters regarding the UMM wind ensembles.

Means of Communication

Website

Valuable information regarding daily rehearsal schedules, concert and repertoire schedules and information specific to certain events and ensembles can be found on our website: http://www.mrs.umn.edu/~band

Or: go to http://www.morris.umn.edu/academic/music and under "Performing Ensembles" click on "Symphonic Winds".

Information Boards

Daily schedules, current assignments, concert calendar, itineraries and further relevant ensemble information will be posted on the information board next to the door to HFA 180.  Watch this board daily for regularly changing information of interest!

Email

A student's University assigned email account (@morris.umn.edu) will be UMM's official means of communication, usually replacing paper correspondence.  Students are responsible for all information sent to them via their UMM email accounts.  If students choose to forward their UMM email account, they are responsible for all information sent to any other email account.  UMM ensembles will use email to notify students of changes in the daily schedule or other exceptions to previously established information.

Ensemble Fees

Once each year, during the semester that a student joins the UMM Symphonic Winds, he or she must pay a fee which is used for costs of special projects.  The fee is applied to all ensemble members except those who are serving on the Symphonic Winds Council, and those who have already successfully completed seven semesters of Symphonic Winds.  Fees for new members for the spring 2008 semester are $15.00 if paid before January 27, 2008, and $20.00 if paid after that date.  In addition to this basic ensemble fee, further charges for special events or activities (tours, retreats, etc.) might occur.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

It is UMM policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities.  Please contact the Disability Services Office, 589-6163, Room 362, Briggs Library, to discuss accommodation needs.

Unless specified otherwise, the UMM ensembles wear " concert black" during performances:

Women

Long black dress with long sleeves and round neckline, or skirt or dress slacks with long-sleeved black blouse or shirt with round neckline, black stockings and black dress shoes (please avoid open-toed shoes).  Dresses and skirts should be at least calf-length.

Men

Black tuxedo with dinner jacket, white tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black cummerbund, black socks and black dress shoes.

Attendance

Students participating in ensemble activities are required to entirely attend every rehearsal, sectional and performance.  Requests for absence from a rehearsal or part thereof must be filed in advance with the conductor.  Absences during the last three rehearsals of a concert cycle will not be excused.

• Unless communicated otherwise, CALL for all concerts is at least 30 minutes prior to concert start - this applies to ALL performers.  All students must check in with Attendance Assistant (Council Secretary) upon arrival.
• Students should plan to arrive no later than 10 minutes prior to start of their rehearsal.  All students must check in with Attendance Assistant (Council Secretary) prior to rehearsal.  Any student not in seat when tuning begins will be considered late.  Students who arrive late must check in with Attendance Assistant (Council Secretary) immediately after the end of rehearsal in order to avoid being marked absent.
• Permanent class conflicts must be indicated on your audition form and discussed with the conductor.  There are individual solutions for everybody!
• If a student is required to be absent for professionally related reasons such as a conferences, auditions or recitals, the request for absence should be filed with the conductor at least one week in advance.  Documentation regarding the details of the professional opportunity must be provided.  Notification of final approval of absence will be sent to student's UMM email account.  The following do NOT qualify for excused absences: study groups, meetings with advisors, studying for tests, review sessions, homework, papers, readings, etc.
• Extended absence due to illness, or of a personal nature, should be cleared with the conductor.  Requests made for reasons of personal injury must be accompanied by medical documentation and the signature of the faculty advisor.
• When a student is ill or injured unexpectedly, the student should send an email message no later than one hour prior to the beginning of rehearsal to the conductor.

It is the absent students' responsibility to make provisions for their music to be at the missed rehearsal and to provide a reliable substitute to cover their assigned part.  The conductor and Council Secretary must be informed of the name of the substitute.  Failure to comply will be reflected in the attitude/preparation part of students' grades.

Timely reporting will help students avoid penalties due to absence from rehearsals or concerts.  All absences or tardies, excused orally by the conductor MUST be followed up with an email or hard copy explanation within one day of the absence or lateness.

Ensemble Grading Policy

Ensemble grades are based on Attendance, Attitude, and Achievement.  Students begin each semester with the grade of "A".  Students are required and expected to perform to the utmost of their ability, displaying a professional attitude and demeanor in rehearsals and concerts.  Excellent attendance, combined with consistent preparation and execution for rehearsals and performances, will result in the grade of "A" at the end of the semester.  Inadequate preparation and execution will be reflected in the final grade and may result in students' exclusion from certain performances and other activities.

The ensemble grading scale is as follows:

2 unexcused late arrivals   =          1 unexcused absence

1 unexcused absence         =          grade reduction from A to A-

2 unexcused absences       =          B and a conference with the conductor

3 unexcused absences       =          C and a conference with the conductor and the student's adviser

4 unexcused absences       =          D and a conference with the conductor and the Music Discipline Chair

5 unexcused absences       =          F and dismissal from the UMM Symphonic Winds

Classroom Conduct

Students are expected to interact with the instructor and other students with respect and courtesy.  Students should attend every rehearsal prepared to learn and work.  Give class your full attention while here.  Complete all assignments (practicing parts) in a timely fashion.  Do not bring cell phones or recording equipment to class without the instructor's consent.  Appropriate class attire is expected (including no hats, no chewing gum, etc.)  Students whose behavior is disruptive either to the instructor or to other students will be asked to leave.  Students whose behavior suggests the need for counseling or other assistance may be referred to counseling services.  Students whose behavior violates the University Student Conduct Code will be subject to disciplinary action.  University policy prohibits sexual harassment as defined by the University of Minnesota Regents' policy:

http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/SexHarassment.pdf