Course

Jazz Ensemble VIII

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course Code
MUSC 4237
Credits
1.50
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
26
Method(s) Of Instruction
Tutorial
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
Through rehearsals and performances, this course will cover jazz, rock, Latin and popular music. Emphasis will be placed on jazz improvisation and the proper interpretation of various styles of big band music. For players of trumpet, trombone, saxophone or rhythm section instruments.
Course Content

Repertoire for this course will include a wide variety of arrangements for Big Band including swing, rock, Latin and ballad styles. In addition, students will study jazz improvisation using materials by Jamey Aebersold and others.

Learning Activities

Students will form a standard jazz ensemble consisting of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, piano, bass, guitar and drums. The instructor will teach the material and will conduct all rehearsals and concerts. In addition, the use of mechanical and/or electronic aids such as the TAP rhythm machine, recordings, tuning devices, metronomes, and others may be assigned and evaluated.

Means of Assessment

No single assessment will be weighted at more than 40% of the final course grade. The following is a sample grade breakdown:

Midterm improvisation test and/or in-class assessment      15%
Midterm ensemble work 20%
Final improvisation test and/or in-class assessment 15%
Final playing test or recording session 20%
Final ensemble work 30%
TOTAL: 100%

*N.B.  In a performing group, regular attendance is vital to the learning of ensemble skills and the achievement of high performance standards. Absences affect every member of the ensemble; therefore 5% of the final mark will be deducted for each unexcused absence, to a total of 30%. Excused absences will include illness and urgent family or personal matters.

Unexcused absence from a dress rehearsal or a concert will result in a failing grade.

Learning Outcomes

Through rehearsals and performances, the successful student will be able to demonstrate basic skills in:

  1. Improvisational skills and solo playing
  2. Ensemble techniques – section blend, rhythm comping, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, etc.
  3. Appropriate phrasing and articulation of various styles of Big Band music from originators like Duke Ellington and Count Basie to Modern Jazz and Jazz/Rock arrangements
  4. Sight reading
  5. Aural recognition and appreciation of various styles and periods in the history of jazz 
  6. Modern recording techniques through participation in live and studio recording sessions.

 

Textbook Materials

All music and study materials will be provided by Douglas College.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MUSC 4237
Athabasca University (AU) DOUG MUSC 4137 (1.5) & DOUG MUSC 4237 (1.5) = AU MUSI 3XX (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) DOUG MUSC 3237 (1.5) & DOUG MUSC 4137 (1.5) & DOUG MUSC 4237 (1.5) = CAMO MUSC 230 (3) & CAMO MUSC 231 (3)
Emily Carr University of Art & Design (EC) No credit
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MUSI 4877 (2)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU GE 1XX (1)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC MUSC 2490 (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) DOUG MUSC 1135 (1.5) or DOUG MUSC 1140 (2) or DOUG MUSC 1177 (1.5) or DOUG MUSC 1235 (1.5) or DOUG MUSC 1240 (2) or DOUG MUSC 4137 (1.5) or DOUG MUSC 4237 (1.5) = VCC MUSC 2490 (1.5)

Course Offerings

Summer 2024