MUSP 265: Competitive Collegiate Large Studio Jazz Ensemble

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2024
Credits: 4
Total Contact Hours: 144
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 108
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Total Student Learning Hours: 216
Prerequisite: Audition.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

The preparation and performance of professional large studio jazz ensemble literature with the primary goal of maximizing adjudication consideration and reward at large studio jazz ensemble competitions and festivals. Participation in large studio jazz ensemble competitions and festivals is required. This course may be taken four times. 36 lecture hours, 108 lab hours arranged.

Course Objectives

  • Maximize adjudication consideration and reward by successfully preparing and performing professional large studio jazz ensemble literature at large studio jazz ensemble competitions and festivals.
  • Recognize and correctly translate, interpret and respond to music notation terms and symbols found in professional (grade 5-6) level large studio jazz ensemble literature, as well as the idiomatic jargon and terminology typically used in large studio jazz ensemble rehearsal.
  • Produce an professional level characteristic instrumental tone quality on their instrument, control and adjust intonation through an professional range of their primary instrument's tessitura, correctly interpret and accurately project professional (grade 5-6) level musical rhythm on their instrument, project their individual part with an professional level control of balance and blend, and recognize and critique the achievement of these instrumental performance parameters by other members of the ensemble.
  • Interpret musical style and select the appropriate performance approach for professional (grade 5-6) level large studio jazz ensemble literature.
  • Utilize professional level knowledge of studio performer equipment concerns: headphones, microphone, acoustic barriers and isolation chamber utilization.

Major Course Content

  1. Assessment of individual students' entry instrumental proficiency
  2. Introduction to and a brief history of large studio jazz ensemble competitions and festivals
  3. Introduction to large studio jazz ensemble adjudication evaluation:
    1. Adjudication and adjudicators
    2. Various performance evaluation rubrics and criteria reference systems
    3. Various large studio jazz ensemble classification systems
    4. Various philosophies regarding music performance competition
  4. Review of professional studio rehearsal and performance etiquette
  5. Review and development of professional level characteristic tone production techniques
  6. Review and development of professional level intonation adjustment techniques
  7. Review and development of professional level articulation techniques
  8. Introduction to professional level technical velocity and fluency development strategies
  9. Review of advanced musical rhythm concepts
  10. Review and development of professional level phrasing, expression and dynamics techniques
  11. Introduction to professional level individual, sectional and ensemble balance and blend concepts
  12. Introduction to professional level notation and studio performance terminology
  13. Review and development of professional level sight-reading skills
  14. Review and development of a professional level personal practice regimen
  15. Development of professional level headphones, and microphone, acoustic barriers and isolation chamber utilization skills.
  16. Preparation and performance of professional (Grade 5-6) level large studio jazz ensemble literature focusing on maximizing adjudication consideration.

Hours Arranged Content

  1. In addition to the lecture led portion of full ensemble rehearsals, instrument sections and section groupings meet weekly to review, develop and assess:
    1. Tone production techniques
    2. Intonation adjustment techniques
    3. Articulation techniques
    4. Technical velocity and fluency, and tone flexibility skills
    5. Phrasing, expression and dynamics techniques
    6. Individual, sectional and ensemble balance and blend
    7. Musical rhythm reading skills
    8. Musical rhythm execution and precision
    9. Observe and evaluate live and recorded large studio jazz ensemble competition and festival performances
    10. Prepare assigned large studio jazz ensemble literature for competition and festival performance
    11. Prepare and develop professional level headphones, microphone, acoustic barriers and isolation chamber utilization skills.
  2. Additional full ensemble and sectional rehearsals are arranged, especially during the weeks approaching competition and festival performances.
  3. Competition and festival performances are scheduled.

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Internet and/or library research (composer; historical era; stylistic, structural and formal elements; large studio jazz ensemble history; large studio jazz ensemble competitions; etc.) including listening, of large studio jazz ensemble literature rehearsed and performed.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

1. Written evaluation of live and recorded large studio jazz ensemble performances using competition and festival music adjudication forms.
2. Essays evaluating live and recorded large studio jazz ensemble competition and festival performances.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Individual practice of instrumental skills. Study, mark and prepare individual parts. Study and evaluate reference recordings. Write performance evaluation essays.

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture