Percussion Ensemble

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Successfully demonstrate the ability to publicly perform percussion ensemble repertoire for an audience.
• Identify various sections of a musical composition.
• Apply appropriate techniques to successfully perform a musical passage and/or composition.
• Observe and reflect on performances and presentations from colleagues, instructors, and guest presenters to continue furthering the student’s craft of percussion performance. Such reflections will occur in discussions with individual instructors.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Weekly Rehearsals & Percussion Event Attendance	50%
Dress Rehearsals, Concerts, & Set-Ups/Strikes	50%

Weekly Rehearsal Grading

Grade	Description
4 (A)	Assigned musical material is thoroughly prepared. Ensemble member arrives early to set up and is ready to begin rehearsal at the scheduled start time. Ensemble member has brought all necessary materials to the rehearsal.
3 (B)	Some assigned repertoire has not been thoroughly prepared OR Ensemble member is ready to begin rehearsal less than 5 minutes late or leaves less than 5 minutes early OR Materials needed for the rehearsal are not present.
2 (C)	(2) or more of the items listed under ‘3’ OR Ensemble member is ready to begin rehearsal more than 5 minutes late or leaves more than 5 minutes early OR A significant portion of assigned repertoire has not been thoroughly prepared.
1 (D)	Little preparation repertoire has taken place OR Ensemble member misses more than 15 minutes of the rehearsal.
0 (F)	Ensemble member misses the scheduled rehearsal without prior communication of an excused absence OR There is no evidence of preparation of repertoire.

The midterm grade period occurs each semester between the fifth and sixth week of classes. During this time, a midterm grade will be assigned based on assignments to date. If a student has a D or an F at midterm, they should discuss strategies and options with the instructor and academic advisor.

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
97-100	A+
93-96	A
90-92	A-
87-89	B+
83-86	B
80-82	B-
77-79	C+
73-76	C
70-72	C-
67-69	D+
63-66	D
60-62	D-
Below 60	F

Attendance/Participation:

Unexcused absences will result in a grade of ‘0’ for that rehearsal. If a student has more than one unexcused rehearsal absence and/or is not prepared for 2 or more rehearsals (rehearsal grade C, D, or F), their part will be at risk of being transferred to another student in the percussion ensemble at the discretion of the instructor. For students who are removed from two or more pieces throughout the semester, an overall course final failing grade will be issued. If a student misses a dress rehearsal, concert, set-up, or strike, an overall course final failing grade will be issued.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Each student is responsible for providing: (1) Their own mallets/sticks, (2) black towel(s) to accommodate implement changes, (3) pencils, and (4) smaller instruments where applicable (accessory percussion, etc.). Students should have access to “concert black” clothing (all black dress pants/skirt/dress and all black dress shirt/blouse) and dress shoes (no tennis shoes or casual sandals) for the concert performance.