SYLLABUS Dr. Randolph Foy
Mus100-D (004) 207 Price Music Center
Mondays 7:15-10:00 pm
NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Course Goals: Students will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of significant ideas in Western culture through the study and performance of repertoire for symphony orchestra from the 19th-21st centuries. This will be accomplished through full-orchestra rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, required listening, and public performances.
Course plan: Weekly 3-hour evening rehearsals, with these components: 1) full-orchestra rehearsals, 2)sectional rehearsals, 3) listening to repertoire, 4) in-rehearsal discussions of the repertoire, the composers, appropriate performance practices, and historical contexts, and 5) one or two major performances per semester.
Course requirements: Expectations for each student
- Focused participation in all scheduled rehearsals and performances, contributing to the growth of the ensemble (see attendance policy)
- Individual practice on parts between rehearsals, progressing toward mastery at your highest level
- Demonstration of musical and technical progress and achievement on individual parts in rehearsals, performances, and if scheduled, individual “part-check” sessions.
- Demonstration of understanding of correct orchestral rehearsal techniques and protocols.
- Outside listening to repertoire, through the orchestra website sound files
- Reading of background material (concert program notes) distributed during the semester.
Grading: Grading will be based on meeting the course requirements above, assessed by the instructor and coaches in rehearsal. Fulfillment at a high level will result in an A. (see A+ option below). There may be a graded “parts check” (playing test) after mid-term (by appointment, prior to rehearsal) to assess your level of improvement and achievement on the most difficult passages of individual parts.
Rehearsal and Concert Schedule
FALL:
Concert: Sunday, November 11
“Celestial Nights”
Richard Danielpour – Celestial Night (1996)
Camille Saint-Saens – Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, for violin and orchestra
Yeeren Lo, violin (age 11)
Antonin Dvorak – Symphony no. 8
Rehearsals (Mondays, 7:15 pm)
Sept: 10, 17, 24
Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov 5 (Stewart);
Nov 11 (Sun, 2:00 – dress)
Sunday, Nov 12 -- Dress rehearsal (2pm) and Concert (4pm); Stewart Theatre, Talley Student Center
Concert:
Sunday, November 11, 4:00 pm (note 2:00 pm dress rehearsal), Stewart Theatre
Attendance policy:
Summary:
- You are expected to attend, ontime (early) every rehearsal and performance, staying for the entire rehearsal.
- If you need to be absent, you are expected to notify the conductor before the absence, no later than 6 pm.
- One unexcused absence is allowed. More unexcused absences will lower your grade. See below.
Because the course is based on performance participation and meets only once a week, attendance at all rehearsals is required. Your responsibility is to contribute to the growth and excellence of the ensemble as well as the mastery of your individual part. Players are expected to arrive at least 5 minutes early (7:10) for warm-up (except by prior approval of the conductor.) Arrival after tuning has begun will be considered late. Two late arrivals will equal one unexcused absence. Absences for illness, death, and others approved by university policy will be excused. Some absences may be excused by the instructor, with prior approval. One unexcused absence per semester is allowed. All other absences will be unexcused and will lower your grade. Concerts are considered equivalent to the course exam. Unexcused absences: 1 allowed; 2 =B; 3= C, 4=D; 5=F. Unexcused absence from dress rehearsal = automatic C for the course. Unexcused absence from a concert = automatic F. Because of the participatory nature of the course, incompletes are not given; rather, a medical drop would be encouraged.
Attendance will be taken by sign-in sheet, and it is the students’ responsibility to make sure that he/she checks the sheet at each rehearsal.
Attendance Notification policy: If you are going to be absent or late for any reason, you must notify the conductor before 6 pm, either by phone or email, explaining the situation. Except in an emergency, failure to call ahead will result in an unexcused absence. If I need to see a written excuse for illness, you will be notified. Call 515-8279 or email rfoy@ncsu.edu to leave the message. Messages will be checked at c. 6:00. If you know of an upcoming absence, email rather than tell me in person at rehearsal.
Listening: You are required to listen to all of the pieces being rehearsed early in the semester. These will be available through the orchestra website: www.ncsu.edu/rcs under the “members” section. The username and password will be distributed in rehearsal.
Sheet music policy: Music folders and parts are signed out to each player at the beginning of the semester and are due back at the final concert or last class meeting. Lost music will be assessed a fine of $25.
Concert Dress: Required of all players. Women: Black dress or pants, black dress shoes. Men: Tux, dress shirt: either black (with or without black tie) or white shirt (with black tie), black dress shoes. Tuxes for male students are available from the music department uniform room. You should get your tux early in the semester.
A+ grade option: (In addition to the above requirements for earning an A): Write a three-page research essay on the orchestra repertoire for this semester. Focus on biographical or historical details, and document your sources. All sources must be scholarly publications – take particular care with web sites! And of course, do not replicate the concert program notes. Deadline: last day of classes. Submissions may be by email attachment (Word document) or hardcopy.
Academic Integrity: This course supports the academic integrity policy of the university.
Disabilities policy Every attempt will be made to accommodate students with disabilities that do not prevent performance at a level commensurate with the ensemble.
No food or drinks allowed in rehearsal (except water).
Conduct expectations: rehearsals and concerts, commensurate with professionalism and serious approach.
