From: web-form@Oswego.EDU
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:07 AM
To: ucc@oswego.edu
Subject: Web Form: Course_Submission

Department_Chair: Todd Graber
Department_Chair_Email: tgraber@oswego.edu
Additional_Contact: Julie Pretzat (Interim Associate Dean)
Additional_Contact_Email: merchant@oswego.edu

Course_Number: MUS 294
Course_Type: New Course
Course_Title: Oswego State Singers

Catalog_Description: 
This select vocal ensemble is open to all students, regardless of major. It is a project-based course designed to provide an opportunity for the student to become acquainted with the jazz, popular and classical musical literature for chamber choir and participate in rehearsal and concert performances of such literature. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: 
Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester. Ability to sing and read music are required.
Fl - every Fall: Yes
Sp_every Spring: Yes
Semester_Hours: 0-1

Justification: 
This course in ensemble performance acquaints the student with musical literature and the solution of problems involved in its performance. The course is targeted at all students regardless of major. Ensembles are project-based courses. Students learn to translate the written musical score into sound, work as a group in rehearsing the style, techniques, interpretation and balance of the whole, and present the final project to the public in a performance. 
      
All music majors must take 4 semesters of ensemble for 0 credit. Non-majors may use the course for elective credits.

Course_Objectives: 
The student will gain the tools necessary to bring the written score to life in rehearsal and performance. Jazz improvisation skills are also taught. In the rehearsal laboratory and on the concert stage, the students will solve the problems and challenges found in the musical score. In the performances by the ensembles, the student will demonstrate an understanding of the principles and elements used in the music under study, sensitivity to, and creativity with the medium chosen.  The work will be presented in a professional manner. The student will demonstrate knowledge of a variety of techniques in working with music, and some historical knowledge of the uses and development of the medium chosen.

Course_Description: 
Course Outline: Repertoire from a wide variety of eras and styles will be selected and will change from semester to semester. From the beginning of the course, teaching techniques will enable all students to find procedures for solving the problems confronting him/her in the musical score.

Methods of Instruction:  
Demonstration, laboratory experiences, individual and group seminars, recordings and lectures.

Course requirements: 
Three hours of rehearsal each week, including sectionals, and a minimum of two performances each semester. 

Means of Evaluation:  
An evaluation will be made of the individual’s contributions towards preparation of the musical score, measurement of individual growth and achievement, evaluation of their class project each semester—a concert performance.

Resources: 
Audio playback systems are owned by the Music Department. The Music Department supports an extensive library of vocal chamber music. No additional resources are required.

Bibliography: 
Standard bibliography not applicable. The ensemble performs standard jazz, popular and classical chamber choir repertoire from a variety of western and non-western countries and cultures, including Africa, South America, the United States, as well as eastern and western Europe.

Other_Comments: This is a course that has been offered for many years. This is an update of the course with a change in the descriptions to reflect current practice. We are also requesting a distinct number. The course has been listed with two others as MUS 299 – Non-Credit Ensembles. The ensemble requires as much work as other ensembles approved as 1 credit ensembles and actually assumes a higher level of singing ability. The Music Department believes that the level of work required outside the classroom for this ensemble justifies it being approved as a 0-1 credit course. 

IP_Adress: 129.3.199.159