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Course Syllabus

MUSC 4146 Jazz Ensemble IV

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 4; Lab: 0
  • Repeatable: Yes.
  • Prerequisites: MUSC 3146 or permission of instructor. Audition required.
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2030
  • End Semester: Fall 2031
  • Optimum Class Size: 20
  • Maximum Class Size: 30

Course Description

Jazz Ensemble is a standard jazz big band. The jazz ensemble will perform literature inclusive of all jazz styles. This ensemble will provide students with an opportunity to develop technical skill, sight-reading ability, and knowledge of the repertory related to the ensemble. It further allows students to synthesize musical, historical and cultural knowledge into meaningful artistic expression. Audition required. May be repeated for credit.

Justification

Jazz is a uniquely American form of art that is generally taught at the college level in a big band setting. This course is standard at four-year institutions throughout the state. Students enrolled in the BMCM program at Snow College are required by NASM to participate in enssmbles during each semester of study. This class counts as a large ensemble credit.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Upon successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to accurately perform the rhythms, melodies and harmonies of the music selected by the director.
  2. Upon successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to perform essential skills as part of a section, including, proper intonation, blend, and balance.
  3. Upon successful conclusion of this course, students will show proficiency in both speed and accuracy of literature learning as measured by small group assessment.
  4. Upon successful conclusion of this course, students will manifest understanding of the music in its historical setting as well as the stylistic, expressive, and formal qualities associated with the particular era of music history.
  5. Upon successful conclusion of this course, students will demonstrate integrated technique, expressive understanding and stylistic knowledge in performance.
  6. Upon successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to improvise over chord symbols in solo sections of repertoire

Course Content

Members of the ensemble will learn and perform appropriate literature as selected by the instructor. Content includes study of:• Intonation• Balance• Blend• Style and Articulation• Historical Context• Performance Practice• Improvisation