UConn Jazz Lab Band – Syllabus

UConn Jazz Ensembles Syllabus
MUSI 1115, section 2
Spring 2025

The preparation, study, and performance of large jazz ensemble music, representing a spectrum of styles and periods, to provide understanding of the genre’s historical, social, and cultural contexts. CA1.

Credits:

One credit each semester. Two laboratory periods. May be repeated for credit.

Rehearsal schedule:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00 – 3:45 PM.

Rooms:

VDM (Jazz Ensemble); MUSB 109 (Lab Band)

Instructors:

Professor John Mastroianni (Section 1), Professor Earl MacDonald (Section 2)

Telephone:

860-486-4796 (Mastroianni), 860-486-0670 (MacDonald)

Emails:

john.mastroianni@uconn.edu, earl.macdonald@uconn.edu

Office Hours:

Mastroianni: Monday, 11 a.m. or by appointment — MUSB 117
MacDonald: Wednesday, 10 a.m., or by appointment — MUSB 207

Spring 2025 Concert Dates

 

Friday, Feb. 7th  …UConn High School Jazz Festival. 9AM – 6PM.

Sunday, April 13 …Lab Band Concert in VDM @ 3:00 PM

Thurs./Fri., April 17,18 …Michael Abene Residency

Sunday, April 22 …Jazz Combos Concert in VDM @ 3:00 PM

Sunday, April 27 …Jazz Ensemble, featuring Michael Abene in VDM, @ 6:00 PM

***Additional performances TBA***

Listening & Concert Preparation


Big Band Listening Guide: https://www.earlmacdonald.com/big-band-albums/

Concert Preparation: https://www.earlmacdonald.com/concert-preparation/

Jazz ensembles at the University of Connecticut are open to students from all concentrations within the university who demonstrate the requisite instrumental skill in their audition.

By studying, preparing, and performing repertoire that represents the wide spectrum of jazz styles and eras, the UConn jazz ensembles pay homage to the rich big band tradition. The exact instrumentation, number of class sections, and programmatic concert themes vary from semester to semester, based on enrollment numbers, faculty resources and providing thematic diversification. The ensembles frequently focus on the music of a specific composer, arranger, or professional band, for a semester. Afro-Latin jazz, exploring the intersection of music from Africa, Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean is amongst the continuous rotation of repertoire. Additionally, new works composed and/or arranged by UCONN faculty, alumni and students are periodically programmed, thereby providing students with the opportunity to interact with a composer in the process of realizing their artistic vision. All selected repertoires will serve as a vehicle for teaching stylistic nuance, while cultivating an awareness of the music’s historical, social, and cultural significance and contexts. Public engagement is accomplished through providing concerts and workshops at high schools, educational jazz festivals, and music education conferences throughout New England.

Course Learning Objectives

At the completion of the courses, students will be able to…

LO1. appropriately interpret jazz ensemble music, including notation and improvisation.

LO2. critique and assess their personal growth and group performance in rehearsals and concerts.

LO3. identify the stylistic nuances of various jazz styles, through the analysis of audio recordings, videos and in-person demonstrations.

LO4. place jazz into historical, social, and cultural contexts, based upon exposure to a variety of jazz repertoire. Students will recognize how jazz has amalgamated with other culturally expressive styles to morph into new subgenres. 

Grading:

  • Rehearsal preparedness, participation, and professionalism: 30%

For all rehearsals and performances, students are expected to: have practiced & prepared the assigned music (including listening to pre existing recordings, if applicable), be in attendance and on time, bring the necessary equipment, and act responsibly & professionally.

  • Recorded mastery appraisals and reflection: 20%

Students will submit 2 video recordings of their sectional rehearsals. Each section will designate one member to submit the video via HuskyCT.

Video submission requirements: each video should contain 20 minutes of playing, and 10 minutes of reflection on individual/section artistic growth in relation to the specific music, period, style, and composer(s) under current preparation. Each student must contribute to the dialogue within the 10-minute time frame.

Scheduled sectional dates (in-class): TBA. 

Videos must be uploaded to HuskyCT within 24 hours of the sectional.

  • Written Reflection: 15%

A one-page post-concert written reflection will be submitted by each student addressing shortcomings, as well as favorable attributes and outcomes, individually, as a section, and as an ensemble. Watch and reference the concert video.

Due date: Thursday, April 24 (before 5:00 p.m.)

Upload to Sharepoint 

  • Listening assignment: 10%

Each section will provide a 1-2 page written critique of another section in the ensemble by attending a sectional rehearsal during class. The document should outline strengths, weaknesses, and make suggestions for improvement. The entire section will contribute to the document and it will be submitted as a group effort. 

Due date: TBA based on sectional rehearsal dates

Upload to HuskyCT.

  • Performances: 25%

Concerts serve as a principal means for judging musical development, progression, and accomplishment within the ensemble.

Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal & Performance Policies

Attendance and Preparedness:

Students must attend all rehearsals and performances on time and prepared. Weekly rehearsal details will be shared via HuskyCT announcements every Friday for the following week. In cases of illness or emergencies, advance notice to the instructor is mandatory. For unavoidable absences, students should organize a substitute and ensure they have the required music. Failure to provide music to a substitute or retrieve it for future rehearsals may impact the final grade. Notify the instructor of any absence at least one hour before rehearsal at: Mastroianni: (203) 494-0358; MacDonald: earl.macdonald@uconn.edu.

Absences and Tardiness:

Unexcused absences or repeated tardiness may lead to grade deductions. The instructor assesses excused absences. Upon three unexcused absences, a meeting will be arranged to address solutions, which may include alternative assignments or withdrawal from the ensemble if necessary. Our goal is student success while maintaining ensemble standards.

Performances:

Attendance at performances is mandatory. If a student must be absent for genuine reasons, prior communication with the instructor is essential. Unapproved absence from a performance is a serious breach, as it is detrimental to the ensemble’s collective effort. Consequences will be assessed individually, with a commitment to equitable treatment for everyone involved. Potential actions include a failing grade for the missed performance or, if deemed necessary, withdrawal from the ensemble. Our goal is to maintain ensemble integrity and uphold the standards driving its success.

Rehearsal Room Rules:

Only water is permitted in the rehearsal room—no food or other beverages. Please return chairs and music stands to their racks and aim to leave the room more organized than you found it.

Digital Distractions:

Cell phones should be turned off and kept out of sight during rehearsals and performances to avoid distractions.

Music Responsibility:

Students are responsible for any music distributed to them during the semester. Unreturned music will require the student to cover the cost of replacement. In cases where music is unavailable from the publisher, students must submit a transcribed part using a music notation program (such as Finale or Sibelius) before final grades are issued.

Professional Behavior:

Students are expected to exhibit professional behavior at all rehearsals and performances. Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited at or before any jazz rehearsal or performance.

Concert Attire:

Concert attire is semi-formal, unless otherwise specified. Option 1 includes a blazer, dress shirt, necktie, trousers, dress socks, and dress shoes. Option 2 includes dress slacks or knee-length skirts, a blouse, and dress shoes. Students should avoid low necklines, bare shoulders, midriffs, sneakers, denim, sunglasses, and hats.

It is the responsibility of all students to acquaint themselves, and to adhere to all university policies. Please review the following:

https://provost.uconn.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/syllabi-references/ 

Some useful telephone numbers:

Thanks in advance for your enthusiasm and dedication to making great music!  Have an awesome semester!

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