Central Methodist University Department of Music
MU067/068, Worship Ensemble
0 or 1 credit
Fall 2020
Meeting Location and Times:
Church Tue 10a-11a, Rehearsals Tue/Thu 11a-12:15p, Multiple Locations
Dr. David Witter
Classic Hall 202-C
660-651-9964, dwitter@centralmethodist.edu, office hours by appointment
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
Facemask Policy
Wearing a face mask is about protecting others, our Central Methodist Community and the communities we work in. The primary purpose of wearing a face mask is to reduce the probability of virus spreading from the wearer (who may not know they are spreading the virus) into the environment and to others. The secondary purpose of the face covering is to reduce the likelihood that large droplets containing virus that are spread by others may enter the nose and mouth of the wearer. The use of a face mask does not replace the continued need to maintain physical distances from others, at least 6 feet, but instead augments physical distancing and helps us further reduce the likelihood of virus transmission.
A face mask is a cloth, bandana, or other type of material that covers an individual’s mouth and nose. The CDC lists five criteria for “cloth face coverings,” which should:
- ïFit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- ïBe secured with ties or ear loops
- ïInclude multiple layers of fabric
- ïAllow for breathing without restriction
- ïBe able to be cleaned or laundered and machine-dried without damage or change to shape.
The complete CMU Face Mask Policy is available at:
https://www.centralmethodist.edu/about/offices/human-resources/_docs/FaceCoveringPolicy.pdf
Absence Policy
Attendance may not be tied to grades in any way in Fall 2020. If there are extenuating circumstances that require your absence, please contact me and your band leader within 24 hours of any rehearsal or performance you are expected to be at. Please keep in mind that both that your bandmates are depending on you, but that we also all expect that you pay attention to your own health and your role in keeping your neighbors healthy as well.
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, dry cough, unusual tiredness, gastro-intestinal distress, change in sense of smell or taste. If you are experiencing symptoms, please attend class on Zoom. For a more thorough list of symptoms visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.
Class Cancellation
In the event of a Church or rehearsal cancellation, I will notify you via email within 24 hours of the event.
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.
Students Requiring Special Accommodations
Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability/state defined handicap ("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 Center for Learning & Teaching at Central Methodist University is committed to ensuring nondiscrimination and equal access to all programs, service, and activities for qualified students with a disability. It is the responsibility of any student who wishes to claim a disability and seek an accommodation to file official documentation confirming the disability and a completed Disability Services Student Information Form with the Center of Learning and Teaching prior to seeking any accommodation based on the disability.
Grievance Policy
Central Methodist University has established a grievance policy and process designed to provide students and others with a process to resolve potential issues. This policy and process is established to provide persons with an avenue to file a written concern and to establish a process to track and implement changes as a result of said concern. For more detailed information, consult the CLAS catalog at: https://clas-catalog.centralmethodist.edu/info/University%20Policies.html#info13-grievance
If an issue cannot be solved through consultation with the faculty or division chair, students can report an incident/issue within 30 days of the event via the online web form https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CentralMethodistUniv&layout_id=3
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.
Contribution
Each class member is required to prepare for and contribute to assigned rehearsals and performances accordingly.
Mitchell Crofton is the 2020 Music Ministry Fellow, which means he is responsible for coordinating help for Dr. Witter in logistical matters for the Music Ministry Education program. All members of the Praise Band program are receiving scholarship funds, and so in addition to your participation in rehearsals and performances, we will be asking for help in setting up and tearing down gear when needed. This semester we have been granted leeway to keep our equipment for Chapel in the Church in the back stage right corner and stage right closet, and to leave our equipment set up between Tuesdays and Thursdays. Accordingly, there will be a group of people assigned to help set gear up and do a cursory sound check with Mitchell and I on Monday evenings (and the band rehearsing in the Church on Tuesdays will help lightly move mic stands and such to the side for the period between Tuesday and Thursday, and move them back for rehearsal Thursday), and a group assigned to help tear gear down and store it Thursday after rehearsal.
Grade Weight
Rehearsal/Performance Attendance 50%
Contribution 50%
Rehearsal Breakdown
Keyboard Lab
—Choose music w/ group leader, members, and Dr. Witter input
—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
Parish House Chapel
—Finish developing and polishing parts
—Expand beyond the fundamentals
—Develop and refine vocal harmonies
—Instrumentalists copy “signature” parts from recordings, make changes from the original when required, in order to preserve a variety of adherence to the original and a spirit of spontaneity
—Finalize arrangement and take notes
—Record video by 11:45am on Thursday*
Church
—Work with Dr. Witter on selections for Chapel
—Refine details
—Practice visual leadership
—Walkthrough for the service
—Watch and comment on Parrish House video at 11:45am on Thursday*
—Leadership and team building exercises
Parish House Basement
For the time being, we’ll be suspending activities involving going out to nursing homes and care facilities to play. Instead, we’ll get some practice making semi-pro videos, which is an important part of any ministry activity these days, and will only get moreso. On the 4th week of the cycle, where your band will be playing for Chapel on Tuesday, during rehearsal/class times the band will go to the Parrish House basement. There will be a PA and equipment set up, as well as two small cameras with stereo microphones. The band will record 2 run-throughs of the Chapel program they’ve rehearsed, 1 on Tuesday and 1 on Thursday, using both cameras. At the end of the semester, the band will choose which recording best represents the kind of dynamic worship experience you’re trying to design, and Dr. Witter will edit the two camera shots into one video for public posting. It will be a good opportunity to hone the effectiveness of the way you convey your worship experience. If leaders or members have a heart to include brief messages or asides to go along with the song selection and prayer times in your rehearsed program, please be encouraged to include those in these video recordings. They’ll be great material in resumes and CVs for worship leader job opportunities.
Outreach
In addition to video production activities, we’ll be taking advantage of some opportunities for our praise band members to help with worship at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church. Pastor Jennifer Essary has let me know that she is interested in having ensembles or smaller groups come in and provide contemporary worship music and leadership from time to time. New groups made up of volunteers for each occasion will be assembled, so these will be occasions when people from different bands can work together in new contexts to work on worship leadership strategies. While I highly encourage all who can to consider taking part, Green and Purple teams may want to especially consider participation, as the schedule currently has them giving 3 Chapel performances to Black and Yellow’s 4. The dates, times and ensemble make-up for these Sundays will be announced soon.
*Video Post and Discussion
Ensembles in Parish House Chapel 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.
Team Membership
Black Team:
Joey Mayo (leader), guitar/vocals
Crystal Kimmi, percussion/vocals
Paul Harrison, bass
Elyse Travis, keyboard
Mason Mitchell, guitar/vocals
Rowan Collom, guitar/vocals
Ryanne Burks, vocals
Nathan Wren, vocals
Yellow Team:
Kennedy Walker (leader), guitar/vocals
Tyrone Harris, percussion
Grady Baker, bass/vocals
Addy Gabriel, keyboard/vocals
Hunter Hanson, guitar/vocals
Vicente Roberts, vocals
Chely Stratton, vocals
Green Team:
Jack Fender (leader), guitar/keyboard/vocals
Mitchell Crofton (leader, Music Ministry fellow), guitar/keyboard/vocals
Austin Holcomb, percussion
Emilee Nelson, bass/vocals
Ross Nelson, guitar/vocals
Shelly Swink, vocals
Molly Reynolds, vocals
Purple Team:
Mikayla Kinkead (leader), keyboard, vocals
Simeon Brown, percussion
Connor Sanchegraw, bass
Wesley Spargo, keyboard
Duke Newstead, guitar/vocals
Spencer Dry, guitar
Madeline Ryffel, vocals
Lilly Powell, vocals/cello
Course Calendar Spring 2018
Rehearsals
Tuesdays 11:00a—12:15p
Thursdays at 11:00a—12:15p
Tuesday Chapel Dates
August 18—Black Team
August 25—Yellow Team
September 1—Green Team
September 8—Purple Team
September 15—Black Team
September 22—Yellow Team
September 29—Green Team
October 6—Purple Team
October 13—Black Team
October 20—Yellow Team
October 27—Green Team
November 3—Purple Team
November 10—Black Team
November 17—Yellow Team
Rehearsal Schedule
(Schedule and assignments subject to change at Professor’s discretion.)
|
DATE
|
Black
|
Yellow
|
Green
|
Purple
|
|
August 18
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
August 20
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
August 25
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
August 27
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
September 1
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
|
September 3
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
|
September 8
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
|
September 10
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
|
September 15
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
September 17
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
September 22
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
September 25
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
September 29
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
|
October 1
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
|
October 6
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
|
October 8
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
|
October 13
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
October 15
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
October 20
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
October 22
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
October 27
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
|
October 29
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
|
November 3
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
|
November 5
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
|
November 10
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
November 12
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Keyboard Lab
|
|
November 17
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
November 19
|
Keyboard Lab
|
Parish Basement
|
Church
|
Parish Chapel
|
Tips for a Successful Rehearsal
1. Assign responsibilities for each vocalist and instrumentalist.
—Each team member should have a specific responsibility for each song. Example: lead
vocals versus backup vocals.
—Most of these responsibilities will be assigned by the director prior to the rehearsal, but
some will be left to band leaders.
2. Learn and practice your own part before rehearsal.
—No matter how good you think you are! If you haven’t worked on the song prior to
rehearsal, you’re holding back the entire team and wasting rehearsal time.
—If you feel like you have a grasp on the fundamentals of the song alone, work on
enhancing your part. Example: vocal harmonies, new chord voicings, decorated rhythms.
3. Sing through the song with all vocalists on the melody and all instrumentalists playing basic chords.
—This ensures that we’re all hearing the same basic “edition” of the song. We all know
many versions of many songs, but we need be working from the same melody and chords
before decorating it and leading a congregation.
—Having a strong grasp on the basics makes it easier to decorate the song with vocal
harmonies, new chords, fills, etc.
4. Rework the song additional times with vocalists and instrumentalists developing their own parts.
—Now that everyone is playing the same song, you can run it again while individuals
work on enhancing their own parts.
—Remember that the fundamental melody and lyrics are always the most important part.
—Make sure your part is always serving the whole.
5. Refine the arrangement of the song.
—Play with dynamics as an ensemble.
—Explore “who plays when”. The whole band does not necessarily need to play
constantly through the entire song. Example: staggered entrances or breakdowns.
6. Consider discussing the meaning and context of the song.
—Understanding context can help us claim ground and trust with the congregation and
guests.
7. If all else fails, listen to the song together.