76.162 Jazz Lab Ensemble Course Information and Standards
Class meeting time/place
W 5:00-6:50PM, Recital Hall
Instructor
Stuart Smith
Office
Durgin 422
Office Hours
By appointment
Telephone
(978) 934-3616
E-mail
stu@cs.uml.edu
Course Description
Jazz Lab Ensemble is an introduction to jazz performance for skilled
musicians who have limited background in jazz. The course treats jazz
as a medium for creative self-expression. All students are expected to
contribute to the group as improvising soloists. Students with the
appropriate backgrounds may also contribute as composers or arrangers.
Open to all students by audition. Credit: 1.0.
Goals and Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will know how to
work within a small jazz ensemble to select, prepare, and perform jazz
pieces in a variety of styles. They will gain experience in choosing
works appropriate to the available instrumentation and the capabilities
of the musicians, working out ensemble arrangements from lead sheets, and
dealing with the social dynamics of jazz groups.
Required Course Materials
Your musical instrument and all necessary accessories
12-staff spiral bound music notebook
No.2 pencils
Attendance and Grading Policy
Grades in this course are determined primarily by attendance and by
the level of participation in the ensemble's activities. Regular
attendance is essential to the success of the ensemble. Each
unexcused absence will result in the loss of a full letter grade from
the final grade. Absence from a scheduled recital or other public
performance will result in a failing grade for the course.