Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

String Ensemble (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 3230-01

Course: MUSC 3230-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 11648

Course Description

The String Ensemble is devoted to the rehearsal and performance of literature from all periods and styles. This ensemble provides opportunities for advanced students who have experience and training, which has given them advanced abilities in chamber music reading and performance, and a mature professional attitude towards rehearsing and performing. The class will consist of two rehearsals in class meeting time and leading to a public performance.

Required Texts

All the course learning material will be provided by the instructor from the department library, including orchestral read music sheets and the music in the performances.

You are required to listen to recordings of every piece on the program. Some CD’s will be available in university library music listening lab. However, I am very much being encouraged to find your own resources such as You Tube in listen to the music and read other related books, article to currently we working on.

Learning Outcomes

Mature professional attitude towards rehearsing and performing. Through consist of daily rehearsals and sectionals in preparation for the SUU chamber ensemble concerts, students will

Identify the chamber music in Strings literacy based on the Western music traditional and academic repertoire, demonstrate the understanding and skills to represent the musical ideas such tonal structure, rhythm, harmonic and music-forms function in orchestral music. In addition, to deeper understanding the music emotional expressions of human beings.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of some basic artist’s materials, e.g., accuracy in counting music, intonation, timber /tone color and ability of sight-reading music.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work together us a chamber music group in an aesthetically satisfying way.
  • Demonstrate the abstract beauty and music expression through different periods and styles of orchestral music by rehearsal and performance.
  • Demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of musical group and demonstrate a foundation for the development of further music art studies. Through this practice, students are expected to learn:
  • Knowledge of Human Culture-- Utilize knowledge of human culture.
  • Intellectual and Practice Skill – Inquiry and analysis, critical thinking and creative thinking, problem solving and team work.
  • Personal Social Responsibility—civic engagement, intercultural knowledge and competence.
  • Integrative learning

Course Requirements

Music Folders: You are expected to have your folder include all music we current learning at each rehearsal. Outside string players who share a folder are responsible for bringing the folder to each rehearsal. If you know you are going to be absent, it is your responsibility to see that your stand partner gets the folder before rehearsal. Bring one to every rehearsal!

Seating: section-leaders will be request audition at the beginning of semester. The instructor, whose decision is final, will determine all seating. Seating will also be rotated as appropriate during the semester.

Preparation: As an ensemble, we are only as strong as our weakest link. Everyone must prepare before the orchestra rehearsal. If I feel my standards are not being met, I reserve the right to hold playing exams either during sectionals or individually. Your grade reflects your preparation.

Dress: Concert dress is as follows- Men: black suit or tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie; Women: Black skirt or dress (below the knee) or dress slacks, black blouse with a conservative neckline.

Grading Policy: Grades will be determined by evaluation of the ability of each student to perform assigned music, rehearsal attendance, effort, cooperation and attitude, performance participation, and other requirements set forth in this syllabus and in class by the director.

Course Outline

The classes are scheduled Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. every week, in conjunct with one public performance each semester. Students will practice and rehearse the standard repertoire in class. The weekly class schedule will be posted on the canvas and office bulletin board outside or 210. That is your responsibility to plan the dates of the concerts. Also, other performances may be scheduled during the semester depending on the request from the university. Students will be given ample advance notice concerning the scheduling of any additional performances.

The schedule for each week’s rehearsals and sectionals will be posted on the canvas prior to the first rehearsal of each week. It is your responsibility to check the schedule every day before rehearsals, as there may be changes or additional information. Duo to the CVID-19 situation in this semester, the schedule will be different than normal class time. Please refer to additional instruction for this course in the fall semester.

Dates of Concert and Event

The performance date in this semester will be

April 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m. in Thorley Hall

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

  The performance date in this semester will be 
April 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m. in Thorley Hall 

Other performances may be scheduled during the semester depending on the request from the university.  Students will be given ample advance notice concerning the scheduling of any additional performances. 

 

 

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend every rehearsal.

Absences will be excused for health reasons only when verified by written documentation from a health professional or for family emergencies. It also will be excused by the medical professional recommends a test, proceed to a local testing facility get tested.

Normally you are allowed a maximum of three excused absences per semester, each unexcused absence will lower your grade.

Unexcused absence from a public performance will result in a course grade of F. However, if that happens in a specific case during this pandemic time, please feel free to discuss with me or the department and we will take care of it.

Course Fees

No fees required for this course. 

Class Rules and Health Guidelines

  • Monitor your health daily. Details please refer to the university link:
  • Keep the class room clean all the times.
  • Follow state public health guidelines Details please refer to the university link at

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.