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UNIVERSITY CHORALE

MUS 493

Attendance/Grade Policy

Instructor :          Dr. Robert Jones

Office :                M/T 129

Office Hours :      11am-Noon  (MWF)   

Phone :                937-229-3909

Email :                 robert.jones@notes.udayton.edu

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

There are no unexcused absences from rehearsals or performances.  Unexcused absences will result in lowering the letter grade, and/or removal from the ensemble.  It is imperative that rehearsals and performances have 100% attendance.  Learning one’s part in an ensemble should be the responsibility of the individual.  However, the development of fine ensemble performance is an ensemble effort and is impossible unless daily attendance is everyone’s goal!

EXCUSED ABSENCES

An excused absence can only be issued when requested in advance and approved in writing by the director.  Legitimate excuses are:

         1)  Serious personal illness in which a student is physically unable to attend classes.  PROCEDURE:  notify the director (93909) or the music office (93936) as to your status.  A note from the Health Center or a personal physician may be required and must be turned in to the director after two absences.

         2)  Death, serious illness or weddings in the immediate family.  PROCEDURE:  notify the music office or director in advance in writing of your situation.

         3)  Approved academic conflicts such as field trips, required conferences, etc..  PROCEDURE:  notify the director two weeks in advance in writing and supply proper documentation, i.e. note from the instructor, field trip authorization form, etc..

TESTING: 

1) Periodic hearing of small groups of singers or individuals in class after a deadline for learning the music has been announced can be expected.  At these hearings, students should perform correct pitches and rhythms with appropriate tone and sensitivity to proper vowel formation. 

2) If a student does not meet the performance expectations outlined in writing before the test, the student will be given a rehearing at the next class period or an agreed upon time within a week. 

3) If expectations are not met at the rehearing, the student will be given written notification of “suspended status” from the ensemble and have a week to satisfy the hearing requirements.

4) If deficiencies are not corrected after that time, the student will not be allowed to sing the next concert, be given a letter grade reflecting the last hearing and be dropped from the ensemble.

ABSENCES

1) After three excused absences, the director will reserve the right to test the student on music rehearsed in class before a performance.   Absences due to work, studying, extra-curricular activities, and other personal circumstances will not be excused.  Absences due to lengthy illnesses or personal issues will be dealt with on an individual basis, depending on the students progress to that point in the semester.

TARDIES

BE ON TIME (READY FOR THE WARMUP.)   Rehearsals will begin on time and end on time (except when changes are announced ahead of time.)  Being tardy or leaving early is considered one-half of an unexcused absence if more than 30 minutes of a rehearsal is missed.  Therefore, being tardy or leaving early twice will constitute an unexcused absence.  All tardies are unexcused except for the following:

1)    If a student is detained by a UD instructor, and has a note from the instructor upon arrival to rehearsal.

2)    If a student has a class immediately before or overlapping the rehearsal, and due to distance from the Music/Theater Bldg. is unable to arrive on time.  PROCEDURE:  submit a written request and photo-copy of your schedule during the first week of the semester to the director.

CLOSING STATEMENTS

THIS IS AN ACCREDITED COURSE!  Treat it as such.   Be sure your other professors understand this in instances where you are detained by them.  If you have any problems/conflicts of this nature, notify the director.  Attempts will be made to rectify these conflicts.

GRADING

Grades will be based upon the following:

GRADE        UNEXCUSED REH.              EXCUSED REH.    UNEXCUSED PERF. 

A                         0                or               3                         0      

B                         1                or               4                         0

C                         2                or               5                         0

D                         3                or               6                         0

F                          4                or               7(or more)            1

Concert Attendance:         As per the Department’s policy, music majors will be required to attend a specified number of concerts in order to satisfy the concert attendance policy for MUS 200.  You may choose 3 concerts (1 from the list below) to satisfy this requirement:

1. All students must attend at least 2 concerts off-campus that are public or private school related (grades K-12) and 1 on-campus concerts approved by Dr. Jones in the list below.  All concerts given by school groups at the OMEA state conference are approved.

2. Programs from each concert must be signed by the director of the concert and turned in to Dr. Jones. These concerts should also be recorded in your concert portfolio.

3. A written evaluative summary (typed) must be completed for a minimum of one concert and needs to include the following:

In list form:

          a. Name of ensemble; date/time of concert; director(s)' name

          b. Description of ensemble(s) - include grade level(s) of performers

          c. Context for performance (e.g. conference, community concert, etc.)

In paragraph form:

          c. Comment on concert procedures and dress

d. Evaluate the quality of the concert (were the students prepared?)

e. In addition to the actual performance, what else did you observe that helped the success of the program?

f. What one aspect of the program particularly impressed you? Why?

g. What one aspect of the program would you improve upon if you were the instructor? Why?

h. What did you learn from this concert and what concepts can you apply toward teaching?

Grammar and punctuation will be evaluated.  Please have someone proof your work.

Your may fulfill your requirement by attendance at 1 of the following concerts:

Only a signed program is required!  Turn in the last day of class to meet your requirement.