Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Symphony Orchestra (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 3380-01

Course: MUSC 3380-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 11693

Course Description

The SUU Orchestra is an Academic music ensemble devoted to the rehearsal and performance of orchestral literature from all periods and styles. This course provides rehearsal and performance opportunities to music students whose experience and training leads to advanced abilities in orchestral music reading and performance.

Required Texts

All the course learning material-- including all orchestral sheet music for reading and all music for performing--will be provided by the instructor and the departmen 

Learning Outcomes

This course will foster a mature professional attitude towards rehearsing and performing. Through consistent daily rehearsals and sectionals in preparation for the SUU Orchestra concerts, students will

  1. Acquire the orchestral literacy necessary to understand the traditional and academic music repertoire; demonstrate conceptual understanding of and skill in handling key musical ideas such tonal structure, rhythm, harmonic and music-forms found in orchestral music; develop deeper understanding of music as the emotional expressions of fellow human beings.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in sight reading and in performing basic elements of musical art--e.g., accuracy in counting music, sensitive intonation, timber/tone, and color.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to work together with us in an aesthetically satisfying way.
  4. Demonstrate in rehearsal and practice an understanding of the musical expression of abstract beauty from different periods and styles of orchestral music.
  5. Demonstrate a commitment to the interdisciplinary nature of orchestral music and an understanding of how such music serves as the foundation for the development of further studies in the musical arts. Through this commitment, students are expected to:
    • Gain Knowledge of Human Culture and of how to utilize such knowledge.
    • Acquiring Intellectual and Practical Skills, including inquiry and analysis, critical thinking and creative thinking, problem-solving and teamwork.
    • Develop personal Social Responsibility, leading to civic engagement, intercultural knowledge and competence.
    • Practice integrative learning through individual learning and independent study through self- evaluation and self- guidance, so building up a lifelong learning strategy of improvement of the performing art and so transforming learning ideas into connection with other instrumental areas, such as chamber music and instrumental solos.

Course Requirements

The schedule for each week’s rehearsals and sectionals will be posted on Canvas under modules, and posted on the South Hall 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

Music Folders: At each rehearsal, you are expected to have in your folder all music we are currently learning. Wind and Brass players are responsible for their own folders. 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 your folder to every rehearsal!

Seating: We will have audition for the leaders only, seating in the beginning of each semester. However, the instructor, whose final decision is, will determine all seating. Wind, Brass, and Percussion parts will be rotated as deemed appropriate. String seating will also be rotated as appropriate.

Preparation: As an orchestra, 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 for sections or individuals. 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.

Library References: You are required to listen to a recording of every piece on the program. Please understand the importance of this listening assignment. Some CD’s will be available in university library music listening lab. However, you are very much being encouraged to find your own resources, such as You Tube, in listening to the music and in reading books and articles pertinent to music we are currently working on.

Auditions will be held during the first week at the request of those who are willing to be the Concertmaster and the section principals.

Grading Policy: Grades will be based on each student’s ability 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

Date s of Concert performance and Activities for Sprin 2026

Each student is responsible to plan ahead for the date of the concert. The dates of the performances this semester are:

  • February 20, 2026, SUU Symphony Orchestra Master Series Concert at Heritage Center 7:30 p.m.
  • March 22-28, 2026, Opera Hansel and Gretel at Heritage Center 7:30 p.m. Additional rehearsal time possibly required for the opera production depending on the need.
  • April 23/24, 2026, University commencement

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

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work will be provided by the instructor.  Normally, student 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. 

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. They also will be excused if a medical professional recommends it. 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.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Health and Safety Guidelines

  • Monitor your health daily. For details please refer to the university link:
  • Keep the classroom clean all the time.
  • Follow state public health guidelines. For details, please refer to the university link:

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.