Central Methodist University Department of Music
MU067/068, Worship Ensemble
0 or 1 credit
Spring 2021
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 available 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:
- Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with ties or ear loops
- Include multiple layers of fabric
- Allow for breathing without restriction
- Be 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
This is class that requires your physical presence, so if at any point you choose to go fully online for your coursework, you will have to drop this class.
Last semester we were instructed not to penalize a student for absence for any reason, and this was reasonable, as people were adjusting to how things were going to have to be and lenience was called for. This semester however we’re being told that attendance is now part of the grade once again, and so there will be an attendance policy. The only excused absences will be OSD or CMU Nurse Practitioner COVID mandated quarantine/isolation, or literal medical emergencies, and unfortunately this won’t include anyone self-quarantining (remember, the OSD or Nurse Practitioner can mandate this; without that mandate simply having a suspicion you need to quarantine will no longer be valid). Attendance will include all rehearsals, performances, and chapels that you’re not performing in. After 1 excused absence from any one of the three required events (chapel, rehearsal, or performances), the grade will automatically go down 20%, and after 2 unexcused absences unfortunately they’ll have to be dropped from Praise Band. In addition, being on time (which, for responsible musicians, means at least 5 minutes early) is going to be part of the attendance grade; 2 tardies will count as 1 absence. Please show consideration and respect to your bandmates, your band leader, and the program by showing up consistently and on time; this is a course you signed up for, so if you feel you cannot meet these requirements, please come see me so we can figure the best plan for moving forward. This policy also extends to the Work Team assignments; again, please let the team leaders and me know if there are issues with scheduling 24 hours in advance in order for this attendance policy to not go into effect.
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.
Grade Weight
Rehearsal/Performance Attendance 50%
Contribution 50%
Rehearsal Breakdown
Parish Chapel
—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
Assembly Hall
—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
Services App
This semester we will be using the Services app, which helps to coordinate directions from the band leader to the members on the OneSong music charts easily and quickly. Directions for downloading and using this app will be forth coming from Dr. Witter and your band leaders.
Work Teams
Monday/Tuesday
Mitchell Crofton (coordinator)
Ryanne Burks
Hunter Hanson
Avery Spilman
Mason Mitchell
Wednesday 3:00p
Jack Fender (coordinator)
Kennedy Walker
Lilly Powell
Ross Nelson
Wesley Spargo
Thursday 12:15p
Jack Fender (coordinator)
Elyse Travis
Lilly Powell
Ross Nelson
Wesley Spargo
Worship Team Membership
Joey Mayo’s Band
Josh Derendinger-drums
Paul Harrison-bass
Elyse Travis-keys
Mason Mitchell-guitar/vocals
Rowan Collom-guitar/vocals
Nathan Wren-vocals
Maddie Mann-vocals
Ryanne Burks-vocals
Mikayla Kinkead’s Band
Tyrone Harris-drums
Grady Baker-bass
Addy Gabriel-keys/vocals
Hunter Hanson-guitar/vocals
Kennedy Walker-guitar/vocals
Chely Stratton-vocals
Duke Newstead-vocals
Mitchell Crofton’s/Jack Fender’s Band
Austin Holcomb- drums
Connor Sanchegraw-bass
Wesley Spargo-keys
Ross Nelson-guitar/vocals
Spencer Dry-guitar
Avery Spilman-vocals
Molly Reynolds-vocals
Shelly Swink-vocals
Lilly Powell-vocals
Course Calendar Spring 2018
Rehearsals
Tuesdays 11:00a—12:15p
Thursdays 11:00a—12:15p
Tuesday Chapel Dates
1/19 - Leader Band
1/26 - Mitchell’s/Jack’s Band
2/2 - Mikayla’s Band
2/9 - Joey’s Band
2/16 - Mitchell’s/Jack’s Band
2/23 - no classes
3/2 - Mikayla’s Band
3/9 - Joey’s Band
3/16 - Mitchell’s/Jack’s Band
3/23 - Mikayla’s Band
3/30 - Joey’s Band
4/6 - Mitchell’s/Jack’s Band
4/13 - Mikayla’s Band
4/20 - Joey’s Band
4/27 - TBD
Rehearsal Schedule
(Schedule and assignments subject to change at Professor’s discretion.)
|
DATE
|
MC/JF
|
MK
|
JM
|
|
1/19
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
1/21
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
1/26
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
1/28
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
2/2
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
|
2/4
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
|
2/9
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
2/11
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
2/16
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
2/18
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
2/23
|
Random Day of Solace (no classes)
|
|
|
|
2/26
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
3/2
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
|
3/4
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
|
3/9
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
3/11
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
3/16
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
3/18
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
3/23
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
|
3/25
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
|
3/30
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
4/1
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
4/6
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
4/8
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
|
4/13
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
|
4/15
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
Church
|
|
4/20
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
4/22
|
Church
|
Assembly Hall
|
Parish Chapel
|
|
4/27
|
TBD
|
|
|
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.