Materials:  Students are expected to bring their instrument, music and a pencil to each rehearsal, as well as manuscript paper, audio CD's and other materials to help the student better understand the jazz idiom.  Other free materials are available on my LINKS page.  Please take the time to investigate the sites listed there and find, download and use the materials that you can use.

Grading:  Every rehearsal and performance is graded.  Those grades are based on preparation, improvement (if any), attendance and overall ensemble success.  An "A" grade shows exceptional work and a "B" grade shows that progress was made.  A grade of "C" or lower shows below average work and progress. 

Students are expected to prepare and practice their ensemble parts.  I am able to discern if a student is underprepared or just nervous.  If I deem a student to be underprepared I will ask that student to go to a practice room to get prepared.

Ensemble rehearsals are intended to be times when the entire piece can be practiced, allowing for work on balance, shaping, expression and other ensemble specific issues.  Underprepared students force the ensemble to wait on their progress - limiting greatly the ability of the ensemble to meet its goals. 

Every student enrolled in Music 236 or 436 MUST perform in at least one of the two CSUB Jazz Coffeehouse concerts. 

Additionally, Students are REQUIRED to attend both coffeehouse concerts and the CSUB jazz ensemble concert.  A schedule of all department events is posted HERE. I will be at each jazz event on campus, and I will be taking attendance at these events to ensure that you are taking responsibility for your own learning by exposing yourselves to live jazz.  If you fail to attend the events that our department offers you subject yourself to a failing grade - simple as that.

In addition to attendance, the students will be asked to analyze parts of the music their ensemble is playing.  I expect every member of the band to know the melody, all of the key areas, and all scales present in each piece.  Students are required to familiarize themselves with at least two recordings of each composition and transcribe portions of those recordings as assigned by the instructor.  A great way to gain access to these compositions at a minimal cost would be through the iTunes Music Store.  There are versions of iTunes available for both WinTel and Apple computers and songs cost only $.99 per track.

Each student will also be required to compose something - ANYTHING - each quarter.  If that is a blues or a 32-bar form AABA"rhythm changes" tune, a melody, an accompaniment, something.  We will work on that together throughout the year and cultivate that skill so that all members of each band can contribute as a composer.  The instructor will teach each ensemble what that entails and each member of the group must compose a song using each form.  The best of the bunch will be performed live at the CSUB Jazz Coffeehouse.