UNI Singers Course Syllabus Fall 2015

Outstanding Performance Opportunities, Artistic Excellence, and Lifelong Friendships

Thank you for joining the tradition.

University of Northern Iowa School of Music

(MUS ENS 1100/3100/5100 03)

Amy Kotsonis, PhD

Assistant Professor of Choral Ensembles and Music Education
University of Northern Iowa
GBPAC 46
(319) 273-2527 office
amy.kotsonis@uni.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Prerequisites
An audition is required. As a UNI Singer, it is expected that students have the ability to sing with a
healthy, supported and beautiful tone, in tune, and with dynamic range. A prior background of
musical experience or training is expected and students should be able to demonstrate sight-reading.

Class Meeting Time and Location

UNI Singers meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2:00pm-3:20pm in Jebe Hall
(GBPAC 10).

Course Description
UNI Singers performs fine choral literature from across multiple time periods, cultures and styles.
Comprised of both music majors and non majors, this ensemble brings together singers of all ages
and across multiple disciplines. The primary function of this ensemble is to provide outstanding
performance opportunities, strive for artistic excellence, and create a community that fosters lifelong
friendships, culminating each semester with public performances.

Objectives
At the end of the semester, this ensemble will have achieved the following:
A supportive community in which each student contributed to every rehearsal
A musical experience that included a synthesis of performance practice, healthy
vocal technique, appropriate style, historical perspectives, text diction/translation and basic musical
analysis
Artistic excellence appropriate for the experience of this ensemble
Musical experiences for the purpose of expression, education and enjoyment

Policies and Expectations

UNI Singers is a participatory, performance-based course. The musical experience and artistic
quality of the ensemble is dependent upon the commitment and contribution of every member. As a
UNI Singer, a student will be expected to:
Attend all rehearsals and performances
Arrive a few minutes early with music in a black, three-ring binder and sharpened pencil
Participate fully throughout every rehearsal and performance
Notate musical markings indicated by the conductor in addition to his/her own personal notes and
markings
Practice music outside of rehearsal to become individually proficient
UNI Singers Course Syllabus Fall 2015
Outstanding Performance Opportunities, Artistic Excellence, and Lifelong Friendships
Thank you for joining the tradition.
Warm-up prior to all rehearsals and engagements
Purchase, borrow or otherwise obtain a choral uniform
Attend the concerts given by other UNI choral ensembles (dates and times listed below)
Turn cell phones to silent or off prior to rehearsal (this includes all notifications; vibrate
mode is unacceptable)
Memorize music when required

Attendance and Grading

Ensemble grades are based primarily on the following four factors, all of which are considered when
assigning ensemble grades:

Performance, preparation, and contribution to the ensemble

Cooperation and professionalism
Attendance
Extra Evidence

Attendance alone does not determine the final grade, but does determine a students maximum
attainable grade before other factors are considered.

All absences from rehearsal are unexcused except for an illness that has kept the student away from
classes and other activities during the day, or an emergency in the family, which has taken the
student away from campus. No other university class or music ensemble outside of the School of
Music shall give just cause for absence or tardiness for rehearsals.

Any student who misses a dress rehearsal, or who misses a week or more of rehearsals in
preparation for a program, may be removed from the concert at the conductor's discretion.
Also, any student who misses a dress rehearsal or a concert may be expelled from the ensemble for
the remainder of the semester, receiving the grade [F]. More than two unexcused absences or willful
neglect of ensemble responsibilities may also subject a student to expulsion from the ensemble.

Students are considered tardy if they arrive after the ensemble tunes or, in the case of choral
ensembles, after warm ups have commenced. Two instances of tardiness are equivalent to one
unexcused absence. Students who leave rehearsal prior to the end of the regularly scheduled
dismissal will be considered tardy.

Each unexcused absence will result in the maximum grade attainable being lowered by a full letter
grade. If you are late to any dress rehearsal or concert, your participation grade will be
lowered by a full letter grade.

All anticipated conflicts with the ensemble schedule must be discussed with the conductor by the
end of the second week of the term. All other Excused Absence Requests are expected prior to the
rehearsal in question and are required no later than 3 days after the missed rehearsal.
UNI Singers Course Syllabus Fall 2015
Outstanding Performance Opportunities, Artistic Excellence, and Lifelong Friendships
Thank you for joining the tradition.
Medical Leave

Students with physical conditions requiring short-term medical leave involving up to a week of
rehearsals, but who still expect to perform in the program, are required to attend rehearsals even if

they cannot play or sing, unless they are confined to bed or pose a risk of exposing other ensemble
members to a contagious disease. Students requesting absences of longer than a week, which they
expect will prevent them from performing on a program, must submit suitable medical
documentation, in English, from a licensed care practitioner to the conductor in a timely manner.
Vocalists who are on vocal rest are still required to attend choral ensemble rehearsals. In case of
sudden illness or a medical emergency, it is the student's responsibility to notify the conductor of
their absence as soon as possible.

Extra Evidence: In order to earn an A in this ensemble, students must complete extra evidence of
scholarship, or service to the choir. Here are some potential opportunities for earning extra
evidence:

1. Singing with Cantorei, Chorale, Varsity Mens Glee Club, or Womens Chorus for the Fall
semester.

2. The conducting class will convene a voluntary chorus from 8:00-8:50 a.m. (PAC 30) on 9/2,
9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/7, 10/14, 10/16, 10/21, 10/30, 11/13, 12/2, 12/4, 12/11, 12/14. UNI
Singers who are available may use their lab choir participation as extra evidence. Participating in
three classes fulfills your extra evidence requirement.

4. Bring friends to rehearsal! On Wednesday, September 30 and Monday, November 16, UNI
Singers will have open rehearsals. These are opportunities to bring friends of yours that like to sing
to meet members of our choir family, and potentially join one of the UNI Choirs for next Spring.
There will be special activities on these days in addition to our regular rehearsal. If you bring four
(4) friends to rehearsal, this will count as your extra evidence. Alternatively, if two (2) friends
audition and register for one of the UNI Choirs for the Spring, this will count as your extra evidence.

5. Assisting in program notes, and/or supertitles for UNI Singers and/or Womens Chorus
concerts.

6. An additional project or service agreed upon by the instructor and student, ie: social media,
concert promotion, recruiting endeavors, etc.

7. Deadline for confirming extra evidence is October 16, 2015. Confirmation will be
communicated via email to Dr. Kotsonis by this date.
 UNI Singers Course Syllabus Fall 2015
Outstanding Performance Opportunities, Artistic Excellence, and Lifelong Friendships
Thank you for joining the tradition.

Important Fall Dates:

Call Time
Ensemble Event Date Event Title Location Expected Dress
September 4
UNI Singers 6:30-10pm UNI Singers Retreat Jebe Hall
September 5 Jebe Hall -
UNI Singers 9am-3pm UNI Singers Retreat Great Hall
UNI Singers, Varsity
Men's Glee Club, September 22
Concert Chorale 6-10pm SBC Dress Rehearsal Great Hall
September 23
UNI Singers 2-3:30pm Great Hall Rehearsal Great Hall
UNI Singers, Varsity
Men's Glee Club, September 25 Scholarship Benefit 15 minutes
Concert Chorale 7:30pm Concert Great Hall prior Concert
October 2
UNI Singers 2-3:20pm Great Hall Rehearsal Great Hall
UNI Singers, Varsity
Men's Glee Club,
Concert Chorale, October 4 Vocal Arts Festival 30 minutes
Women's Chorus 8:30pm Concert Great Hall prior Concert
October 14
UNI Singers 2pm Great Hall Rehearsal Great Hall
UNI Singers and October 20 UNI Singers Fall
Womens Chorus 7:30pm Concert Great Hall 1 hour prior Concert
UNI Singers, Womens
15 minutes
Chorus & Symphonic November 5 The Music of Andrew
prior
Band 3:30-10pm Boysen, Jr Davis Hall
UNI Singers, Womens
Chorus & Symphonic November 6, The Music of Andrew 1 hour prior Concert
Band 7:30pm Boysen, Jr Great Hall
UNI Singers, Women's UNI Choirs Holiday
Chorus, Cantorei, December 6 Concert Dress
Concert Chorale 7pm Rehearsal Great Hall
December 7
UNI Singers 2pm Great Hall Rehearsal Great Hall Concert
UNI Singers, Women's
Chorus, Cantorei, December 8 UNI Choirs Holiday
Concert Chorale 7:30pm Concert Great Hall 1 hour prior Concert
UNI Singers Course Syllabus Fall 2015
Outstanding Performance Opportunities, Artistic Excellence, and Lifelong Friendships
Thank you for joining the tradition.
Choral Ensembles 2015-2016 Performance Calendar:
You are required to attend all performances by UNI Choirs.

August 28, 7pm Glee Club Welcome Home Lang

September 18, 12:15pm Bach Cantata Series GBPAC Lobby

September 19, 7:30pm It Gets Better GH

September 25, 7:30pm Scholarship Benefit Concert GH

October 20, 7:30pm Womens Chorus & UNI Singers GH

October 23, 12:15pm Bach Cantata Series GBPAC Lobby

October 29, 7:30pm Concert Chorale GH

Dec 4-5 Glee Club GH

December 8, 7:30pm UNI Choirs Holiday Concert GH

February 12, 1:30pm Bach Cantata Series GBPAC Lobby

March 4 , 7:30pm Cantorei/NISO GH

March 8, 7:30pm Concert Chorale/Glee Club GH

March 12-18 Women's Chorus International Ireland

April 11, 7:00pm Concert Chorale/Glee Club/ Westminster Pres.

Cantorei

April 15-16 Concert Chorale/Glee Club/ Run Out to MN

Cantorei

April 19, 7:30pm UNI Singers GH

April 25, 7:30pm Womens Chorus Festival GH

May 18-26 Glee Club International Tour Iceland/Norway

Materials:

Music: Issued by UNI. You are responsible for ALL music. Your grade will be withheld
until all music issued to you is accounted for, paid for or replaced.
UNI Singers Course Syllabus Fall 2015
Outstanding Performance Opportunities, Artistic Excellence, and Lifelong Friendships
Thank you for joining the tradition.
Black 3-ring binder and sharpened pencil

Concert. Attire:

Women: Uniform dress - $69 for new members (Payment due by Friday, September 18)
Black hosiery/black closed-toe shoes
Small gold earrings (studs or earrings smaller than a nickel)
Hair half up or fully back (we want to see your beautiful faces!)

Men: Black tails tuxedo - $110.00

White shirt $15.00, white tie & white vest $48.45
Studs, Links, Black socks and shoes $20.00
$193.45 Purchased at: Milroys Tuxedos
CF store: 4 th and Washington
Waterloo store: Crossroads Mall
FIT, ORDERED and RECEIVED BY September 23 IN STORE
UNI Singers Course Syllabus Fall 2015
Outstanding Performance Opportunities, Artistic Excellence, and Lifelong Friendships
Thank you for joining the tradition.

Accommodations of Disabilities: http://www.uni.edu/policies/1315

No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from
participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University, or
be subjected to unlawful discrimination by the University. This policy applies to all aspects of
campus activities including employment, education, student programming, and services provided to
the community at-large. Students: In order to receive assistance with requests for accommodations,
a student with a disability must contact Student Disability
Services. See: http://www.uni.edu/resources/disability