General Syllabus

MUSI 2324.001: ELECTRIC GUITAR ENSEMBLE, UT DALLAS

Friday, 10:30 -1:15, AH1 1.104
Instructor: Chris DeRose-Chiffolo (972) 691-0816
Email: cxd092000@utdallas.edu
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Changes will be announced in
class and in writing.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS:

This course is for students at UT Dallas who are interested in expanding their musicianship skills in a
performance ensemble for electric guitars. Basic skills such as sight reading (linear and chord),
stylistic articulation and phrasing, and improvisation will be covered. Arrangements over a wide
variety of styles, including, jazz, rock, latin, and classical will provide the framework for mastering
these skills.

The ensemble class can accommodate any level of student, from beginning to very advanced players.
Approximately one to two hours per week will be suggested for practice time outside of class.
The student must provide his or her own guitar, cord, and a small amp is suggested, if possible.
Tuners are optional, but are recommended.

GRADING POLICY: Grading is based on attendance/participation (80% or more) and concert reports
(20%). Participation in the Guitar Ensemble concert will be your final. The grading scale is as follows:
A = 100 - 90, B = 89 -80, C = 79 -70, D = 69 - 60, and F = 59 - 0. You may ask about your grade at
any time during the semester.

ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION ARE REQUIRED: For students one absence is the
equivalent of one week’s rehearsal time missed. You are allowed one (1) absence in the semester
without any grade penalty. Each
additional absence will result in a reduction in your final grade by one full letter grade for each
occurrence (i.e., an A will be lowered to a B, and so forth). You should
notify me 24 hours before a missed class and the reason why you are not going to be at the rehearsal.
A doctor’s note will be required for medical excuses. Two other acceptable reasons for an excused
absence are a legitimate UT Dallas Activity or a Family Emergency
with appropriate documentation.

Concert Attendance: All UTD music courses require concert attendance, at least 2 concerts. You
can find all UTD concerts on the website below:
http://www.utdallas.edu/ah/events/events-music.html
Additionally, the music faculty is performing a special 40th anniversary concert. All music students are
required to attend this concert. Students are admitted free.

REQUIRED TEXT: Jazz Styles and Techniques: A Primer for the Ensemble Guitarist , Chris DeRose

MUSIC:
All music issued for this course is the property of the instructor and must be returned in good
condition. You will be expected to pay the replacement cost of any missing or
damaged music. Please remember that music scores and can be difficult to replace. You must bring a
pencil to class and USE it to make notes in the music.
Use pencil only to mark scores-- no pens or highlighters.