Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Jazz Ensemble (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 3330-02

Course: MUSC 3330-02
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 31961

Course Description

An instrumental ensemble which specializes in performing jazz literature. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 8 Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Required Materials

Instrument, mutes, doubles, pencil, and assigned music.

Learning Outcomes

Gain musicianship skills relevant to all musical situations, such as sound concept, balance, blend, tuning, sight-reading, and style matching.
 
Gain knowledge of important jazz figures, big bands, and combo groups.

Gain an understanding of jazz combo playing, and basic improvisation skills.

Learn about and demonstrate properly the actions and behaviors of a professional musician.

Course Requirements

Attend rehearsals and perform all concerts.
Rehearsals are intended for the ensemble to sound at the best of their ability. Students are expected to practice music outside of regular class times, and to schedule group sectionals. Students are also expected to listen to assigned music to better understand the appropriate style and sound of the jazz music.
Be set up and ready to play at rehearsal time. Tune one minute prior to start of rehearsal.
Brass players are expected to have all necessary mutes.
Saxophones will have doubles, if needed.
Bring a pencil to every rehearsal.

GRADING

All students begin the quarter with a grade of “A”. Grades will be altered based on attendance, preparedness, and participation. Because Jazz Ensemble is essentially a chamber group, the absence of one person is obvious and makes rehearsing difficult. Three unexcused absences results in failing the course. An unexcused absence is failure to email the teacher regarding your absence. Texting someone in your section is not enough, you must email trevordavis4@suu.edu prior to a missed rehearsal. Four instances of tardiness will result in the drop of one letter grade. Each subsequent tardy appearance will enforce an additional letter grade drop. Always come to rehearsal on time, with a good attitude, having practiced your music.
Arriving late to a dress rehearsal or sound check will result in the final grade being lowered one letter grade. Late means you are not in your seat ready to play at the specified call time. There are no excuses for being late prior to a performance.
Failure to show to a performance will result in the grade of an “F” for the course.

Concert Dress

Dress for concerts is to look nice. Shirt and tie, or suit, or appropriate length dress preferred. But a button down shirt tucked in with dress pants/slacks/khaki pants is acceptable. NO SNEAKERS AND NO JEANS.



Course Outline

Rehearsals during scheduled class times.

Possible concert at Cedar High or Canyon View High? Date TBD
Monday, November 3: Jazz One concert, 7:30 pm, Heritage
Wednesday, November 5: Fall concert, 7:30 pm, Living Room

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Only in special circumstances will students be permitted to miss a concert. There is not an opportunity to makeup a missed concert.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to be at every rehearsal and performance with instruments in working order. Please inform me of any class conflicts or special circumstances. If you absolutely cannot be at a rehearsal due to a special circumstance, please make an effort to send a sub. It is your responsibility to find a sub and make arrangements to give your sub the music, and get the music back. DO NOT LOSE YOUR MUSIC. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.