FALL 2009

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Music 1622

GORDON COLLEGE

DR. NEIL BOUMPANI

Dr. Neil M. Boumpani

219 Fine Arts Building, 678 359-5299

Email: nboumpani@gdn.edu

Office Hours: (subject to change)         M , T, W & F     11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

                                                                   Other office hours by appointment     

Course Description: The Jazz Ensemble offers the Gordon students the opportunity to explore the music of American jazz.  There is a strong emphasis on improvisation, but it is not required.. The ensemble will perform standard jazz songs from composers like Duke Ellington and Chick Corea with an emphasis on proper interpretation based on the stylistic characteristics of the music.

TEXT: The Real Book – based on your instrument.  If you play trumpet or clarinet – you would get the Bb version. If you play alto sax, it would be the Eb version.  If you play the Bass or a bass clef instrument – get the Bass Clef version.

     You may order the books online or through Dr. Boumpani, but payment will be required before the book is ordered.  The book is approximately $30.00

MATERIALS: Instrument, pencil, all materials needed to perform

Grading:

            Performance:                                       40%    

            Attendance/preparation                      60%

Assessment: Music majors are expected to learn at least 5 standards per semester and be able to play them from memory.  In addition, music majors must know the blues scale in the concert keys of Bb, Eb, Ab, C, F and G.  Non-majors are not required to learn these selections; however, non-majors are expected to be able to play any music that is being prepared for performance.  ALSO – if the instructor assigns an exercise, all students are expected to prepare that exercise.

Grading Scale:           A         90 to 100

                                    B         80 to 89

                                    C         70 to 79

                                    D         60 to 69

                                    F          Below 60

Attendance:   Attendance is required.  Jazz ensemble is a small ensemble and everyone’s participation is needed every rehearsal.  There are always times when someone has to miss a class for legitimate reasons (illness, etc,); however, if you know you are going to be absent – please inform Dr. Boumpani as soon as you know.  You are allowed two (1) unexcused absences without penalty.  Beginning with the second absence, four points will be deducted from your final average for each absence.  (If you know you are going to be absent, please inform Dr. Boumpani ahead of time.) 

Academic Honor Code:

Students are expected to uphold the “Student Code of Conduct” in the Gordon College Catalog.  I expect you to do your own work at all time.

Special Considerations:

            This class complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Students with disabilities who need academic accommodations should:

            (1)        Register with and provide documentation to the Office of Disability Services.

(2)        Bring a letter to the instructor from the Office of Disability Services indicating the need for academic accommodations.  This should be done within the first week of class.