The YSU Percussion Ensemble is one of the premiere chamber ensembles at the Dana School of Music. Recent accomplishments include the critically acclaimed release of the compact disc Dark Wood and the commissioning, New York City world premiere, and recording of John Hollenbeck’s Ziggurat.
Annual campus performances include Butler Institute of American Art, DeYor Center for the Performing Arts, Dana Student Showcase Concert, and Dana School of Music Convocation.
Off-campus performances include Ohio Music Educators Association Convention, Percussive Arts Society Ohio Day of Percussion, studio recording projects, and area school assemblies.
Our repertoire includes classic 20th century works, contemporary music, student compositions, marimba ensemble, group improvisation, Drum Circle, and Latin/world percussion styles such as - West African, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian.
Fall 2009 Edition - Revised 8/10/09
Dr. Glenn Schaft, Director
Office hours: Dr. Schaft provides five office hours per week, as per the YSU-OEA contract. Make an appointment to guarantee a meeting time. Part-time faculty and graduate teaching assistants are not required to provide office hours.
This syllabus is a contract between you and your teacher. Discuss any questions you have with Dr. Schaft. We seek to provide the best possible syllabus and your feedback is welcome.
Ensemble admittance and enrollment: Admittance is granted by audition or permission of the instructor. Percussion majors are expected to register each semester you are enrolled in major level applied percussion.
Rehearsals: Tuesday & Thursday 11:00-11:50 a.m., Thursday 5:30-7:30 p.m. Percussion Seminar may be used for Percussion Ensemble performances.
Course fee: A $35 course fee is assessed to offset the cost of maintaining and purchasing gear and music for this course.
Part
assignments:
are made in consideration of:
1. Results of fall
semester auditions, juries, and applied lesson achievement.
2. Effective artistic
programming.
3. Individual student
aptitude and experience - every effort is made to effectively match part
assignments with your ability – challenging yet attainable.
4. Previous achievement in this course.
Ensemble
objectives:
1. Develop effective
teamwork skills.
2. Develop chamber
music performance skills including: Pre-rehearsal preparation, Positive
attitude in all situations, Reading and memorization, Stage presence and
concert etiquette.
3. Foster an
understanding of diverse percussion ensemble literature through listening,
individual practice, group rehearsals, performances and recording sessions.
4. Experience
improvisation as a group and individually.
5. Select undergraduate and graduate students are expected to serve as musical directors.
Music: You are responsible for the music lent you. Be sure your name appears, in pencil, on each piece. Bring the music to all private lessons. Return music as requested. You must buy any music you lose or damage.
Final Exam Period: Will be used for PE related activities.
Instrument set-up and transport: Everyone must assist with rehearsal and concert gear set-up and transport. No one is excused from a service until we have returned everything to its proper location. Call times will be posted on the studio schedule on my bulletin board.
Grading
policy:
The process of assessing an individual’s work in a musical ensemble is
subjective.
I grade according to
my expectation of appropriate repertoire for your course level, your potential and your realization of it. I expect a positive attitude, ability to establish clear
and realistic goals, self motivation, consistency of effort, punctuality, reliability,
attention to detail, receptiveness to coaching and criticism, and the inevitable
accomplishment that comes from nurturing these traits.
A professional
attitude consists of arriving with a specific purpose in mind, quiet attention
to rehearsal instructions, enthusiasm for the task at hand, having a pencil at
every rehearsal, and a courteous teamwork orientated demeanor towards your colleagues. All the
above demonstrate your discipline and value as an ensemble member.
Master your parts
through individual practice prior to each rehearsal. Failure to adequately prepare music will result in
a grade reduction for that rehearsal. If you must be replaced due to lack of
preparation, your grade will be reduced by a minimum of 20%. If a piece must be
canceled due to your lack of preparation, you will receive an “F” in the
course.
Grade “A” – includes: superior
attendance, superior achievement of performance goals, consistent positive
attitude, a complete commitment to attaining your potential. You love what you
do and it shows through your passion, dedication, and achievement.
Grade “B” – Slightly less than
letter grade “A” above.
Grade “C” – May include flawed
attendance, partial achievement of performance goals, inconsistent attitude or
progress, and a partial commitment to attaining your potential. Your passion,
dedication, and achievement is, at times, questionable or inconsistent, and it
shows.
Grade “D” –May include flawed
attendance, partial achievement of performance goals, inconsistent attitude, or
a partial commitment to attaining your potential. Your passion, dedication, and
achievement is questionable and it shows.
Grade “F” – May include significant disregard for any of the above; a minimal achievement.
Attendance is required at all PE events, unless
otherwise indicated. Your presence is necessary to realize the community of
learners and collaborative nature of this ensemble. When you miss a
rehearsal, two things happen. First, you miss the experience unique to that
particular rehearsal and this cannot be recreated. Second, your absence
reduces the learning of the other ensemble members.
All new students are
required to attend all rehearsals during the first half of their first semester until notified
otherwise by Dr. Schaft, in order to learn rehearsal protocol, ensemble techniques, and
chamber music repertoire.
Percussion ensemble concerts are posted on our website calendar no later than week one fall
semester. If you notice a conflict, regardless of how distant, immediately
notify Dr. Schaft as indicated below. You will be instructed what to do about your
music and securing a substitute.
Any event (or portion thereof) you have a
conflict with or miss, must be documented by an emai memo to Dr.
Schaft as soon as possible. Use memo format: to, from, date, description of the event,
and why. Dr. Schaft will reply within a week to indicate if your
request is excused or unexcused. Any un-documented absence is deemed unexcused.
Excused absences may be
granted for:
1.
Special YSU event (ensemble tour, field trip, conference, etc.) i.e. academic
work required as part of a YSU course in which you are enrolled. These must be
documented by a memo to Dr. Schaft from the YSU instructor explaining the conflict. You must
schedule non-YSU events around our studio calendar.
2. Documented
court-ordered appearance.
3.
Absences due to serious illness and documented by a letter from a certified
medical practitioner will be considered in light of your attendance history. In
some cases, an excused absence may be granted. A minor cold or accepting an non-school related gig may not be excused.
Unexcused absence will reduce your final course grade. One unexcused absence will lower your grade by 10%. Two unexcused absences will result in a grade of “F” and possible dismissal from the ensemble. Missing a concert or dress rehearsal will result in a grade of “F” and possible dismissal from the group. A tardy equals ½ absence.
Courtesies:
A. If you
fall asleep you will be dismissed and an unexcused absence recorded.
B. Cell
phones and other electronic distractions must be turned-off or kept out of the
classroom. Each interruption will count as a one-half absence. Bluetooth
earpieces are not permitted.
C. Hats,
lewd or questionable attire, or other inappropriate or impractical (to play the
instruments) attire is not appropriate. Violations will result in dismissal and
that period counted as an absence. I recommend slacks and a loose fitting
shirt; no skirts, dresses, high-heel shoes, or tight clothing.
D. Avoid
jewelry that makes sound or may damage the instruments.
E. Food or drinks (except bottled water) are not permitted.
Concert Dress: Appropriate dress will be announced before each gig. Generally, we wear dress quality garments - slacks, shoes, socks, and shirt with a collar. No suits, vests, ties, tennis shoes, ball caps, jeans, t-shirts, athletic wear, or clothing with a prominent logo.
Concert Call Times: You must be available for the entire call period as posted on the percussion bulletin board. Generally, our call for an 8:00 p.m. concert will be 5:00 p.m. - for set-up and sound check. The call for a noon Butler Concert is 11a.m. and load-out will be completed by about 1:30pm.
Americans with Disabilities Act: “Anyone requiring special adaptations or accommodations should inform the instructor as soon as possible. In accordance with University procedures, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the Office of Disability Services (phone: 330-941-1372) in the Center for Student Progress at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Disability Services.”