Concert Choir Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

MUEN-1141-001 Concert Choir

Prerequisites

Course Description

Literature includes selections from all periods.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(1 sem hr; 5 studio)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

No texts are required

Supplies

1. MUSIC AND PENCIL - All music will be provided on loan by Amarillo College. You will be held financially responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen music.  If you forget your music for rehearsal, DO NOT TAKE SOMEONE ELSE`S MUSIC. Your grades will be held at the end of the semester until all music is returned. You must bring music and a pencil to every rehearsal.
 

2. CONCERT ATTIRE - With the exception of shoes, women`s dresses and men`s tuxedos will be purchased and lent to students by Amarillo College. YOU WILL BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR DAMAGED GARMENTS. All tuxes and dresses must be returned after the final concert.   Women will wear black hose and closed toe black flats with conservative jewelry and hair either done up or pulled back.   Men will wear black socks and black, shined dress shoes, and hair will be neatly kept.

Student Performance

***This syllabus is also used for MUEN-2141 and MUSIC-1150

Over the course of the semester, the student will:
 

1. Learn vocal fundamentals and improved their singing through increasing vocal flexibility.

2. Learn the listening skills required for choral blend and balance.

3. Increase their knowledge of choral history and style.

4. Learn fundamentals of music theory and its application to choral singing.

5. Meet new people and experienced a bond of friendship through music.
 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Choral ideals:

Relationships are at the heart of everything we do as humans, and especially as artists.  In AC Concert Choir, music is our common activity and common love.  However, the creation of beautiful and meaningful choral music requires a respect for – and pursuit of – certain character traits that tend towards healthy relationships within the human person (spirit, mind, body) and between individuals.  As an ensemble, let us therefore endeavor to embody:

 

RELIABILITY in rehearsal presence and musical preparation.

PROFESSIONALISM in attire, speech, and attitude. 

EXCELLENCE in every moment of performance (on- and off-stage).

FLEXIBILITY with the short-comings of self, others, and circumstances. 

GENEROSITY with musical convictions and uplifting words. 

OPENNESS in communication.

CREATIVITY in problem-solving and music-living.

WILLINGNESS to try new things and help one another overcome challenges.

PERSISTENCE in fighting to protect and grow our musical family. 

JOY in the opportunity we have to share another day, and another song.

 

In addition:

CHOOSE TO BE ON TIME for every choir-related activity, whether on or off campus.  "Early is on time.  On time is late.  Late is unacceptable."  - B.V.

CHOOSE WORDS THAT BUILD UP and help keep us on task.  No disrespectful or inappropriate language, towards or from a faculty member or student, will be tolerated in this organization.  Please bring any concerns to the director.

FOOD AND DRINKS (excluding water) should be well-sealed and remain unopened during rehearsals, or else left outside the choir room.  We will make occasional exceptions for official choir social functions. 

CELL-PHONE USE is not permitted during rehearsal, except with express permission from the director.  Student should inform instructor ahead of class if they are on call for an emergency situation. 

STUDENT ATTIRE should be professional and respectful of self and others, consistent with the focus and energy of our work together.  No crude language or innapropriate imagery may be displayed on student attire during any official choral activity, including rehearsals.  Casual/comfortable clothing is OK in rehearsal, but should not be unecessarily revealing, unkempt, etc.

Grading Criteria

Grading is determined by your attendance and positive participation in the choir.  If the instructor notes that you have been missing rehearsals or are having trouble keeping up with the music, he will personally contact you to help you and let you know if you are in danger of dropping a letter grade.

1. Concerts/Performances are equivalent to required examinations - NO EXCUSES WILL BE PERMITTED FOR MISSING A CONCERT, with the exception of family tragedy or documented emergency. A final grade of "F" may be given for missing a concert or the dress rehearsal for a concert. If you are extremely ill, you are required to call the instructor before the concert. Not showing up for a concert without any prior notification may result in a failing grade. Please be responsible; we depend on each other for our success as a group.

2. Class Attendance - Your grade will drop one letter grade for every THREE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. One absence will be counted for every two times you are late for rehearsal.

3. A syllabus quiz, worth 10% of your grade, will be given at the start of term.

4. You may be asked to sing your part in class for a grade. These grades are determined by the following criteria:

A= part sung perfectly, or with few minor mistakes

B= part sung with two to five major mistakes

C= part sung with more than five major mistakes

D= making a significant amount of mistakes

F= failure to finish the example, or simply not knowing the part

 

FINAL EXAMINATIONS: There are no final written examinations. As stated above, all performances are considered examinations.
 

Final Grade is based on the following scale:

A= 90-100%

B= 80-89%

C= 70-79%

D= 60-69%

F= Below 60%

Attendance

Ensemble attendance policy:

Regular attendance on the part of every student/singer is necessary for satisfactory individual achievement and is critical to our success as a group.  Attendance and participation are the singer’s primary “course work” and are graded accordingly (see Grading Criteria above).  To remain in good standing with the group, students should adhere to the following ensemble policies:     

The singer is expected to attend every rehearsal, unless excused by the director prior to the rehearsal.

The singer is required to participate in every concert and dress rehearsal for a concert.

The singer is required to contact the director before rehearsal if needing to miss a rehearsal due to illness, after which point a doctor’s note must be provided.  All absence requests must be submitted in writing using the appropriate form, and excuses will only be accepted at the discretion of the Instructor.

The singer may request exemption from any rehearsal using a Rehearsal Excuse Form and should provide supporting documentation whenever possible.

Any singer with 3 or more unexcused rehearsal absences for any given concert (including absences communicated to the instructor by email but without specific written exemption from the instructor) will not be permitted to perform on that concert.  The student will still be expected to participate in remaining rehearsals as deemed appropriate by the instructor to fulfill obligations for class credit.

Travel privileges may be withheld from any singer who demonstrates a lack of commitment to the ensemble and its ideals, or whose attendance record precludes them from performing on tour. 

Calendar

Additional Information

Vocal Placement with the instructor is required as a prerequisite of this class. 

Information on Protecting your Hearing Health can be found at: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/publications/brochures-advisories/nasm-pama-hearing-health/

OFFICE HOURS

     Posted outside office door (MB 306), and by appointment.