Midwestern Singers

Course Details

Course Number: MUSC 1981, 3981 Fall 2011

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: 117B

Days & Times:

Tuesday 2:00-3:20

Thursday 2:00-3:20

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. James Schuppener
view Profile »

Course Objectives

The purpose of this course is to present and opportunity for students to learn and perform selected choral compositions in the area of vocal jazz, early madrigal, and chamber works. This ensemble will improve a student’s understanding of the techniques involved in preparing and maintaining a small chamber ensemble

Midwestern Singers helps students achieve the following broad degree outcomes:

1. Learn essential elements of music and music performance.
2. Understand the basic elements and structures of performance
      literature.
3. Perform with appropriate vocal tone, technique, and musicality.
4. Communicate the intellectual, emotional, and aesthetic qualities of
          choral music to a diverse society.

Course Expectations

As a result of successfully completing the course, the following skills/knowledge will be enhanced:
Sight singing and ear training, vocal production, vocal/musical independence, choral tone, exposure to diverse choral literature, rhythm, choral blend, choral balance, and musical maturity.

Grading Standards

All rehearsals and performances are required. The only exceptions are family issues such as; a death in your immediate family or severe illness. In all cases the director must be notified by phone or email before the absence occurs. If absences or tardiness become excessive a student’s grade will be lowered and may result in being withdrawn from the ensemble with a failing grade.

Submission Format Policy

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Other Policies

All members of choral organizations at Midwestern State University are expected to strive for excellence, exhibit outstanding attitudes, be punctual, sing with enthusiasm, and be diligent in pursuing and enhancing the art of choral singing.

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, collusion, and plagiarism (the act of using source material of other persons, either published or unpublished, without following the accepted techniques of crediting, or the submission for credit of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given). Additional guidelines on procedures in these matters may be found in the Dean of Student’s Office.

Standards of Conduct

Disruption of Teaching: Disruption of obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or other university activities authorized to be held or conducted on the premises of Midwestern State University. Such activity includes classroom behavior that interferes with either the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to profit from the instructional program.

Instructor Drop: An instructor may drop a student any time during the semester for excessive absences, for consistently failing to meet class assignments, for as indifference attitude, or for disruptive conduct.

Federal privacy law prohibits me from releasing information about students to certain parties outside the university without the signed consent of the student. Thus, in almost all cases I will not discuss your academic progress or other matters with your parents. Please do not have them call me. Regardless of these important legal considerations, it is my general policy to communicate with the students, not the parents, even when a student has signed a consent form. College students are adults and are expected to behave accordingly.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information that needs sharing, or if you need special accommodations in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with the professor as soon as possible.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.