Central Methodist University Department of Music
Spring 2020
Syllabus
Worship Ensemble MU068
0 or 1 credit
Prof. David Witter, Classic Hall 202-D, 660-651-9964
dwitter@centralmethodist.edu; lesson time TBA
Mission
Central Methodist University prepares students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.
Description
Performance ensemble. Will include performances at campus Chapel services and off-campus venues.
Purposes
To gain an understanding of how to perform worship music
To refine performance skills on one’s respective instrument or voice
To gain an understanding of how to collaboratively participate in a musical ensemble
Outcomes
The successful student will:
—Perform at their highest level
—Demonstrate leadership in an ensemble
—Collaborate musically
—Understand the role of different instruments and voices on a worship team
—Be able to improvise their own part for a worship song using a lead sheet
Assessment activities (student mastery of outcomes will be demonstrated through the following activities)
—Regular performances including to but not limited to Tuesday morning chapel, outreach events, and on-campus performances
—Weekly rehearsals
—Participating in classroom discussion
Required Texts
Various musical scores
iPad
OnSong Application (with required in-app purchases)
Course Grades
90-100%A
80-89%B
70-79%C
60-69%D
0-59%F
Academic Conduct Policy
Your projects must represent your work and your ideas. Ideas incorporated into your work that are not your own must be properly documented.
Students are expected to follow the CMU Academic Conduct Policy as outlined on the CMU website. Any evidence of academic misconduct may have any or all of the following consequences:
Grade of zero on the individual assignment.
Grade of F in the class.
Dismissal from the class.
A notation of academic misconduct on your transcript.
The Dean of the University may take additional action, including probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college.
Academic Property
All work (original or copy) submitted by the student to satisfy the requirements of the course may be retained at the discretion of the instructor for non-profit and educational purposes. Such work is generally used for assessing the course and providing evidence of student accomplishment for review by accrediting agencies. Any student wishing to prohibit such use of their work may do so by notifying the instructor in writing.
Non-discrimination Policy
Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability. This includes but is not limited to recruitment and admission of students, educational programs, services, activities, financial aid, and scholarship programs. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination requirements.
The procedures, described in the university’s catalog, are intended to guide and assist faculty, staff, and students in complying with this policy and in determining reasonable accommodations to be made for the federally defined disability claimed. All materials and information regarding disabilities will be governed by the University’s normal policies regarding privacy.
To request reasonable accommodations for a disabilities, students must fill out and submit the application and information forms and provide professional documentation of the disability (These forms can be found at http://www.centralmethodist.edu/learn/forms.php). The staff of the Center must receive the information before reasonable accommodations are provided. Please see the website for the Center for Learning and Teaching for more information (http://www.centralmethodist.edu/learn/index.php).
Health and Safety for Musicians
Musicians face a number of health and safety issues, particularly in applied lessons and ensembles. Hearing concerns, vocal health, and muscle injuries are a concern for faculty and students. Awareness and education are key to preventing harmful habits or injuries.
In addition to the information shared with you in lessons and rehearsals, there is material available to you regarding best practices for maintaining hearing, vocal, and muscular health. Helpful information is posted on the Fine Arts section of the CMU webpage.
http://www.centralmethodist.edu/student-life/services-and-resources/music-resources.php
Assignments
Rehearsals
The Worship Band rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday 11:00am—12:15pm during the semester.
Performances
The Worship Band performs many times throughout the semester. Although not all members are assigned to perform at each event, non-performers may be assigned to attend the event. All Tuesday morning Chapels are required attendance for all class members. Other events will be clarified individually.
Central Methodist University’s Chorale and Music Ministry program have been invited to provide music leadership to Salem United Methodist Church for services April 19. The details on how this event will be put together will be forthcoming as soon as possible.
Contribution
Each class member is required to prepare for and contribute to assigned rehearsals and performances accordingly.
Grade Weight
Rehearsal/Performance Attendance 50%
Contribution 50%
Rehearsal Breakdown
Keyboard Lab
—Choose music if Prof. Witter has not already assigned it
—Delegate responsibilities for singers and instrumentalists
—Choose keys for each song
—Retrieve charts and ensure that they are correct
—Begin playing through each song to make sure that the basic melodic and harmonic parts work
—Start developing and enhancing parts
Conservatory 112
—Finish developing and polishing parts
—Expand beyond the fundamentals
—Develop and refine vocal harmonies
—Instrumentalists copy “signature” parts from recordings
—Finalize arrangement and take notes
—Record video by 11:45am on Thursday
Church
—Work with Prof. Witter on selections for Chapel
—Refine details
—Practice visual leadership
—Walkthrough for the service
—Watch and comment on Conservatory 112 video at 11:45am on Thursday
—Leadership and team building exercises
Outreach
—Lead music during class at an off-campus location
—Scheduled by Prof. Witter
—Usually take place at local residential care facilities
—Acoustic format
—Keyboard players are assigned vocals or an alternate instrument
Video Post and Discussion
Ensembles in Conservatory 112 should record video of three songs by 11:45am each Thursday. These recordings should stem only from selections that the ensemble has been working on for their current rehearsal cycle. The band should present their selections in basic stage positions and perform/lead as if there were a congregation present.
After videos are posted, the team rehearsing in the church will watch all three videos and individually provide constructive criticism as a comment on the video. Each student is required to provide two written comments. Remember to phrase comments in a descriptive and constructive manner. Be respectful.
Course Calendar Spring 2018
Rehearsals
Tuesdays 11:00am—12:15pm
Thursdays at 11:00am—12:15pm
Tuesday Chapel Dates
January 14—White Team
January 21—Gold Team
January 28—Black Team
February 4—Green Team
February 11—White Team
February 18—Gold Team
February 25—Black Team
March 3—Green Team
March 10—White Team
March 17—No Chapel (Spring Recess)
March 24—Gold Team
March 31—Black Team
April 7—Green Team
April 14—White Team
April 21—Gold Team
April 28—Black Team
Off Campus Performances
TBA
On Campus Performances
TBA
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
(Schedule and assignments subject to change at Professor’s discretion.)
|
DATE
|
GREEN
|
BLACK
|
GOLD
|
WHITE
|
|
January 14
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Ashbury Heights
|
|
January 16
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Perkins
|
|
January 21
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Caring Center
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
January 23
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
The Lodge
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
January 28
|
Church
|
Braun Home
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
|
January 30
|
Church
|
Senior Center
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
|
February 4
|
Ashbury Heights
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
|
February 6
|
Perkins
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
|
February 11
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Caring Center
|
|
February 13
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
The Lodge
|
|
February 18
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Braun Home
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
February 20
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Senior Center
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
February 25
|
Church
|
Ashbury Heights
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
|
February 27
|
Church
|
Perkins
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
|
March 3
|
Caring Center
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
|
March 5
|
The Lodge
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
|
March 10
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Braun Home
|
|
March 12
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Senior Center
|
|
March 17
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Ashbury Heights
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
March 19
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Perkins
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
March 24
|
Spring Recess
|
Spring Recess
|
Spring Recess
|
Spring Recess
|
|
March 26
|
Spring Recess
|
Spring Recess
|
Spring Recess
|
Spring Recess
|
|
March 31
|
Church
|
Caring Center
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
|
April 2
|
Church
|
The Lodge
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
|
April 7
|
Braun Home
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
|
April 9
|
Senior Center
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
|
April 14
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Ashbury Heights
|
|
April 16
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Perkins
|
|
April 21
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
Caring Center
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
April 23
|
Con 112
|
Church
|
The Lodge
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
April 28
|
Church
|
Braun Home
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|
|
April 30
|
Church
|
Senior Center
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Con 112
|