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Bands and Wind Conducting Indiana University Bloomington

Syllabus – All Bands

X040 Fall 2024 Syllabus (Bands) 
Bands Meeting Times: Monday-Friday, 2:50-4:05
Wind Ensemble: MC 066, Symphonic Band MC 070, Concert Band MC 040 

 

ENSEMBLE OBJECTIVES 

Instrumental ensembles serve a core function across many undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Jacobs School of Music (JSoM). Through the preparation and performance of a range of repertoire, and alongside other musicians, you develop skills of listening, preparing, responding, and refining artistic choices. You will routinely work with section principals, sectional coaches, and/or conductors in which setting you will enhance your skills in contributing to and following the artistic decision-making of others. In ensembles, the instructors of record, faculty conductors, and guest conductors will have contemplated and may discuss the orientation of repertoire vis-à-vis musical style, corresponding compositions, and the artistic, social, cultural, or political backdrop in which a work was composed or through which its performance history and traditions have developed. 

 ATTENDANCE/GRADING 

Ensemble enrollment in the Jacobs School of Music is a semester-long commitment. While every effort will be made to accommodate requests to pursue possible professional opportunities, the School’s published calendar of rehearsal/performance is an academic priority for all students, with any personal opportunities to be scheduled around it. Punctual attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required. 

 Your final grade will be determined by a combination of your attendance record, attitude, and contribution according to standards expected in a professional situation. Aside from rehearsal preparation, your assistance in maintaining an appropriate atmosphere is required (no use of cell phones/texting, computers, reading/homework for other classes, etc.). 

 Examples of excusable absences: 

  • Illness  
  • Auditions for a full-time professional position 
  • A student may be excused from a portion of ensemble rehearsal on the day of his/her degree recital hearing and may be excused from the entire rehearsal on the day of his/her degree recital. Notice must be given to your conductor at least one week prior to the recital hearing or recital. 
  • Religious observances 
  • Funerals 

 Non-excusable absences/policies: 

  • Auditions for regional orchestras and summer festivals 
  • No student may ever be excused from a dress rehearsal or a performance for a recital or hearing. 
  • A student will not be excused for other ensemble appearances or non-required recitals. 
  • Absence or tardiness because of other lessons or classes will not be excused. 

 The final grade in X40 will be affected for the following circumstances: 

  • Each unexcused absence will lower a grade one letter. 
  • An unexcused absence from a performance or dress rehearsal will ordinarily result in a failing grade for the semester. 
  • Use of a cell phone during any rehearsal or performance will result in a lowered grade for the semester. 
  • Two unexcused tardies are equal to one unexcused absence. 
  • The use of a substitute does not ensure an excused absence. Substitutes are required for various excused absences but not all. Do not provide a sub without notifying your conductor. 
  • A tardy at a dress rehearsal or performance lowers the grade one letter. 
  • Excessive excused absences will also affect the final grade. 

 Please consult with the conductor as soon as possible in the event of a known forthcoming absence. The legitimacy of any excuse will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Likewise, 

timely notification is required for unexpected absences. Email correspondence/documentation is preferred. The conductor holds final discretion in determining if absences are excusable. Any absence not reported in advance will be considered unexcused (except in an emergency situation). 

 ANY MUSIC STUDENT WHO RECEIVES A FAILING GRADE IN ENSEMBLE IS AUTOMATICALLY PLACED ON ACADEMIC ALERT; STUDENTS ON ACADEMIC ALERT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID FROM THE I.U. JACOBS SCHOOL OF MUSIC. 

 MUSIC 

Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Concert Band musicians should sign out music from the administrative assistant in M153, the Department of Bands/Wind Conducting. Please leave ALL music on the stand after the performance; a librarian will collect your folder. Fines will be assigned for lost or damaged music/folders. 

 PERFORMANCE ATTIRE 

The Jacobs School of Music recognizes both the importance of a student’s right to individual gender expression and the necessity for a unified and coherent look for ensemble performances.  

All members must adhere to the following dress code for performances, which goes into effect onstage as soon as audience members are allowed into the hall. It is expected that you will keep your concert attire clean and pressed. Any student determined to not be fully dressed in or missing any part of required concert attire will be subject to disciplinary action and a grade reduction at the discretion of the Managing Director of Orchestras and Instrumental Ensembles. 

Concert Dress

All articles of clothing must be solid black.  Students may select from the following options: 

Solid black two-piece suit, including jacket and non-tuxedo pants with no visible patterns or pinstripes, with the following items: 

  • Solid black long-sleeved, collared, button-down dress shirt.  All buttons and seams should be black and without visible labels, logos, or patterns. 
  • Solid black long tie with no visible patterns. 
  • Solid black belt with unobtrusive buckle. 
  • Solid black socks and black dress shoes. 

  Solid black long sleeved formal blouse OR full-length dress, according to the following specifications:  

  • Neckline no more than two inches below the collarbone. 
  • A high cut back. 
  • No skin should be visible at the midriff whilst seated or standing. 
  • Full-length or 3/4-length sleeves which fall below the elbow. Translucent or lace sleeves are only permissible if the entire bodice is lined in solid black. 
  • Blouses can be paired with solid black full-length slacks/dress pants OR solid black floor-length skirt.  Any slit must not rise above the knee. 
  • Knee or calf-length solid black hosiery/socks and black closed-toe dress shoes.  No skin should be visible at the foot or ankle. 
  • A solid formal black jacket/blazer may be worn over the blouse. 

  Prohibited Attire 

  • T-shirts, polo shirts, denim, leather, jersey and other casual knit fabrics or items. 
  • No skin should be visible at the midriff, feet or ankles. 
  • Hair ornaments, and extraneous material such as feathers or fringe on the sleeves and collar. 
  • Cologne and perfume. 
  • Conspicuous and/or obtrusive jewelry. 

 

Accessibility: Every attempt will be made to provide accessibility measures (accommodations) to students with qualifying medical conditions (e.g. mental health, learning, chronic health, physical, hearing, vision, neurological, etc.), under the Americans with Disabilities Act. You must have established your eligibility for support services through Accessible Educational Services for qualifying medical conditions. Note that services are confidential, may take time to put in place, and are forward moving. Captions and alternate media for print materials may take three or more weeks to get produced. Please contact Accessible Educational Services (AES) at 812-855-7578 as soon as possible if accessibility measures are needed. An AES representative is embedded on-site in Jacobs a few days per week; please visit the AES website for information on how to schedule an appointment with them. 

 Pedagogical Physical Contact Guidelines: If the Instructor determines that it would be helpful to engage in physical contact with a student for pedagogical reasons, specific steps shall be followed to foster a safe and respectful environment and maintain appropriate Instructor/student interactions. Please refer to the Jacobs School of Music Pedagogical Physical Contact Guidelines for additional information. 

 Student Resources at IU and Jacobs 

  • OWAHI (the Office of Wellness and Arts Health Initiatives) is an office dedicated to creating a culture of care in the Jacobs School. Wellness drop-ins and coaching, snacks, a series of guest speakers, and links to useful wellness information are just some of the many resources offered. 
  • CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) seeks to provide a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment for all students. Mental health care through CAPS is free to all IU students who have paid their student health fee. 
  • TimelyCare is a free 24/7 virtual resource when you need to connect with mental health assistance outside of normal working hours 
  • The Student Advocates Office can assist you with issues of academic performance, misconduct, and the need to take a break from school for health or personal reasons.  

 Student Engagement Roster (SER): In this course, I want to make sure you connect with resources that will help you be successful. If you receive a message through the Student Engagement Roster that asks you to consult with your advisor, please know that the message is sent to both you and your academic advisor, who will follow up and view the feedback from this course. 

 Academic Integrity: The Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct ensures your rights as an IU student are protected. While you’re entitled to respect and civility, you also have responsibilities to the campus community. Academic integrity violations include cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, facilitating academic dishonesty, and research misconduct. When you submit an assignment with your name on it, you signify that the work contained therein is yours, unless otherwise cited or referenced. Any ideas or materials taken from another source must be fully acknowledged.  

 All suspected violations of the Code will be reported to the Dean of Students (Office of Student Conduct). Sanctions for academic misconduct in this course may include a failing grade on the assignment, a reduction in your final course grade, or a failing grade in the course, among other possibilities. If you are unsure about the expectations for completing an assignment or taking a test or exam in this course, speak with your instructor before submitting your assignment. 

 Religious Observances: Students missing class for a religious observance must fill out the accommodation form on the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs webpage at least two weeks before your anticipated absence. 

Bias Incident Reporting: Bias-based incident reports can be made by students, faculty, and staff. Any act of discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability can be reported through any of the options: 1) fill out an online report at https://reportincident.iu.edu/; 2) call the Dean of Students Office at (812) 855-8187. Reports can be made anonymously at https://reportincident.iu.edu. 

 Sexual Misconduct & Title IX: IU policy prohibits sexual misconduct in any form, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, sexual exploitation, and dating and domestic violence. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help. If you are seeking help and would like to speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with the IU Sexual Assault Crisis Services at (812) 855-8900 or contact a Confidential Victim Advocate at (812) 856-2469 or cva@iu.edu. 

University policy requires me to share certain information brought to my attention about potential sexual misconduct with the campus Deputy Sexual Misconduct & Title IX Coordinator or the University Sexual Misconduct & Title IX Coordinator. In that event, those individuals will work to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available. Protecting student privacy is of utmost concern, and information will only be shared with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist. I encourage you to visit http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/index.html to learn more. 

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