MUS-473-aaron.wacker-2025-09-19-12-45-21

Below is a syllabus template that includes WSU's required syllabus elements. Please complete all items highlighted in yellow. 

 

Marching and Jazz Band Techniques

MUS 473

Spring 2027

Number of Credit Hours 1

Prerequisites: None

Course Details

Day and Time: T/TH 1:00 – 1:50

Meeting Location: Kimbrough B48

 

Instructor Contact Information

Instructor Name: Dr. Darryl Singleton & Dr. Jon Sweet

Instructor Contact Information: darryl.singleton@wsu.edu & jonathan.sweet@wsu.edu 

Instructor Office Hours: [click here for best practices] 

 

Course Description

This course is divided into two broad topics: Jazz Band and Marching Band Techniques. The class meets twice a week for a 15-week semester, with each topic covered on separate days.

Course Materials 

Books:

  • Rehearsing the Marching Band: elements of Design, Instruction, Movement, and Performance – Stephen Meyer ($19.95, Meridith Music)
  • Smith, Ray. The Real Jazz Pedagogy Book: How to Build a Superior Jazz Ensemble. Parker, Colorado: Outskirts Press, 2018.

Other Materials: none

Fees: none

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) [add more lines if necessary]

Course Learning Outcomes

(students will be able to:)

 Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes Assessment of the Learning Outcomes
Describe and demonstrate rehearsal techniques specific to jazz bands and conduct a rehearsal of a jazz arrangement at the secondary level. Peer-teaching, in-class demonstrations, rehearsal observations, and discussions of rehearsal strategies. [Midterm Exam (rehearsal techniques), Teaching Demonstration (leading peers), Final Exam (ensemble rehearsal and performance tasks)]
[Explain and demonstrate effective pedagogical methods for teaching jazz improvisation in both group and individual settings.] Improvisation activities, peer-teaching, in-class demonstrations, and discussions. [Teaching Demonstration (improv lesson), Final Project (teaching concept), Final Exam (solo performance/improv)]
[Identify and list appropriate standard repertoire, composers, and arrangers for jazz bands and combos, while discussing jazz literature from various historical periods and cultural backgrounds suitable for school settings.]

Reading assignments, class discussions, repertoire observations.

 [Weekly Assignments/Readings (list and research), Midterm Exam (styles, repertoire), Final Project (program notes & repertoire design)]
Describe the history and cultural significance of jazz music.

Reading assignments, class discussions, peer presentations.

 Weekly Assignments/Discussions, Midterm Exam (historical/context questions), Final Project (program notes and cultural framing)
Identify resources available to public school teachers, private instructors, and clinicians that assist in jazz education.

Weekly assignments, peer discussions, demonstrations of teaching resources.

 Weekly Assignments (resource exploration), Final Project (inclusion of resources in teaching portfolio/program)
Understand and apply various marching band techniques (Corps Style, Squad Style, Block Band, Show Band) while designing and charting drills with Pyware.

Class discussions, peer-teaching, drill demonstrations, observations.

 Quizzes (administrative principles), Final Project (handbook/plan), Class Discussions (scenario-based problem solving)
Create a marching band drill for a musical selection that highlights effective maneuvers in sync with music. Present and discuss the drill project, explaining design choices and demonstrating Pyware proficiency.

Peer demonstrations, project presentations, group discussions.

 Final Project Proposal (Week 11), Final Project Presentation (Weeks 13–14)
Evaluate outcomes through project development, written assessments, and oral presentations, with quizzes that cover knowledge of marching band styles, components, and band camp organization.

Peer-teaching, oral presentations, class discussions, written assignments.

 Quizzes (styles/organization), Final Project Presentation (peer feedback + evaluation), Written Philosophy Statement (Week 4)

Week

Tuesday

(Jazz Pedagogy)

Thursday

(Marching Band Techniques)

Assignments / Activities

Week 1

Jazz Basics

·       Historical Overview (and debunk!)

·       Style overview

Overview of Marching Bands

·       Syllabus Overview

·       Brief history of marching bands

·       Role of marching bands

·       Kinds in Pacific NW

·       Competition philosophies

Jazz

·       Read Chapter 1

Week 2

Jazz Theory – The Difference

·       Chord Symbols

·       Jazz Piano Voicing Concepts

Leadership in a Marching Band

Jazz

·       Read Chapter 19

MB

·       Read Chapter 1

Week 3

Improv 101 – Get Comfortable With It!

·       “Right Brain” / “Left Brain”

Music Design & Rehearsal Principles

·       Music design

·       Rehearsal principles

·       Editing arrangements

·       Copyright

Jazz

·       Jazz ensemble rehearsal observation 1 due

·       Improvisation activities (Happy Birthday, call & response, etc.)

·       Read Chapter 19

·       Read Appendices A & F

MB

·       Read Chapter 2

Week 4

Rehearsal Techniques

·       Rhythm Section Setup

·       Horns Setup

·       Jazz warmups (intonation/tonalities)

·       Style

Copyright & Music Design

·       Music design

·       Rehearsal principles

·       Editing arrangements

·       Copyright

Jazz

·       Read Chapters 9 & 12

MB

·       Read Chapter 3

·       One-page philosophy of marching band in the public schools

Week 5

Rehearsal Techniques cont’d

·       Styles: Swing, Straight Ahead

·       Articulation

·       Improv 101 Check-in

Marching Fundamentals

·       Fundamentals

·       Terminology

·       Rehearsal principles

·       Grid systems

Jazz

·       Read a chart

·       Play assigned jazz head

MB

·       Read Chapter 4

Week 6

Rehearsal Techniques cont’d

·       Styles cont’d: Latin (Brazilian, Cuban)

·       Tropical/Calypso

Marching Fundamentals (cont.)

·       Fundamentals

·       Terminology

·       Rehearsal principles

·       Grid systems

Jazz

·       Read a chart (or two!)

·       Read Chapter 14

MB

·       Read Chapter 5

Week 7

Rehearsal Techniques cont’d

·       Styles cont’d: Funk, Rock

·       Rhythm Section work (chart interpretation, functions)

Drill Design Principles

·       Principles

·       Evaluating drill design

·       Working with a designer

Jazz

·       MIDTERM EXAM

·       Read Chapter 25

MB

·       Read Chapter 6

·       Summary of marching fundamentals & techniques

Week 8

Rehearsal Techniques cont’d

·       Working with lead players

·       Performance day!

·       Improv 101 Check-in

Advanced Drill Design & Pyware

·       Drill design

·       Evaluating drill

·       Working with designer

·       Pyware tutorial

Jazz

·       Play head and arpeggios/scales

·       Read Chapter 24

MB

·       Read Chapter 7

Week 9

Repertoire

·       General considerations

·       Selecting for concerts, festivals, competitions

·       Adapting arrangements

·       Commissioning

Drill Design & Pyware Use

·       Drill design

·       Evaluating drill

·       Working with designer

·       Pyware use

Jazz

·       Read Chapter 15

·       Read Appendix B

MB

·       Read Chapter 8

Week 10

There’s No Jazz Equipment Here…HELP! and other Admin topics

Conducting & Drum Major Role

·       Conducting

·       Role of drum major

·       Transposition

Jazz

·       Jazz ensemble rehearsal observation 2 due

MB

·       Read Chapter 9

Week 11

Sound System Basics

·       Improv 101 Check-in

Marching Percussion

Jazz

·       Assemble sound system

·       4-bar transcription due

·       Read Chapter 23

MB

·       Read Chapter 10

·       Final Project Proposal (choose: Music arrangement, Drill design, or Band handbook)

Week 12

Potpourri Part 1

·       Nontraditional instruments

·       Vocalists

·       Recording the jazz band

Color Guard & Auxiliary Units

Jazz

·       Read Chapter 20

MB

·       Read Chapter 11

Week 13

Potpourri Part 2

·       Beyond “Big Band”: Combos, Contemporary/Pop ensembles

·       Building your program’s jazz “brand”

Administration in Marching Band

·       Music library

·       Attendance

·       Trips

·       Rehearsal planning

·       Publicity & social media

·       Asset management

MB

·       Read Chapter 12

Week 14

Final Project Presentations

Final Projects

Jazz

·       Final Project includes:

·       Formatted concert program (tunes & why)

·       Teach an assigned jazz concept

·       Live reaction/comments to ensemble video

MB

·       Read Chapter 13

Week 15

Final Projects cont’d

·       Wrap-up

Final Projects (cont.)

MB

·       Read Chapter 14

Week 16

FINAL EXAM

·       Assemble sound system & perform Jazz Standard (head, solo, head) – 12 min

Final Projects

 

 

 

 

 

Expectations for Student Effort 

[Describe how much time students should expect to invest in the course each week. Graduate courses should state: "For each hour of lecture equivalent, students should expect to have a minimum of two hours of work outside of class." Note that Global campus courses will automatically include credit hour equivalents in the syllabus.] [For each semester credit, students should expect to spend a minimum of 45 hours over the length of the course. Because this is a 1-credit laboratory course, that equates to approximately 2–3 hours per week of in-class rehearsal, applied practice, or laboratory-style work across the 15-week semester. Additional preparation outside of class (e.g., readings, assignments, peer-teaching prep) may also be required to meet learning outcomes.

]

 

Grading [add more lines if necessary]

Assignment Breakdown
Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) Details Percent of Overall Grade
[Class Assignments]

Students will complete weekly work tied to course readings and discussions. 

 Marching Band Techniques: Canvas discussions (one original post and two peer responses each week), a one-page philosophy statement on the role of marching band in public schools (due Week 4), a summary of marching fundamentals and techniques (due Week 7), and a proposal for the final project (due Week 11). 

 Jazz Band Pedagogy: Weekly reading/homework from assigned chapters and appendices, two rehearsal observation reports (Weeks 3 and 10), and a four-bar transcription exercise (due Week 11).

 [20%]
[Marching Band Philosophy & Fundamentals Projects] [Work tied specifically to Marching Band Philosophy (Week 4) and Fundamentals (Week 7).] [15%]
[Jazz Pedagogy Assessments] [Weekly reading/homework, rehearsal observation reports, and transcription exercises.] [15%]
Teaching Demonstration As part of the Jazz Pedagogy final project, each student will prepare and present a teaching demonstration on an assigned jazz concept, applying strategies and approaches covered in class. 10%
Midterm Exam The Jazz Pedagogy course includes a Midterm Exam in Week 7, focused on rehearsal techniques, styles, rhythm section practices, and chart interpretation. This serves as a cumulative assessment of the first half of the course. 10%
Final Project and Exam

Both courses culminate in a comprehensive final project and, for Jazz Pedagogy, a final exam.

 

Marching Band Techniques: Students will design a major project, such as a music arrangement, a drill design movement, or a full band handbook, with the proposal due Week 11 and the completed project presented in Weeks 13–14.

 

Jazz Pedagogy: The final project (Weeks 14–15) includes creating a formatted concert program, teaching a concept to the class, and responding to a live jazz ensemble video. The course concludes with a Final Exam in Week 16. Students will assemble a basic sound system and perform a jazz standard (head, one chorus improvisation, head).		 30%

 

Grading Schema
Grade Percent Grade Percent
A

94-100

 C 73-76
A-  90-93 C- 70-72
B+ 87-89 D+ [68-69
B 83-86 D 60-67
B- 80-82 F 0-59
C+ 77-79]  

[Provide information about how grades will be rounded (eg, if 89% earns a B+ and 90% earns an A-, what grade is given to a student with an 89.5?]

Attendance and Make-Up Policy 

[Provide details on how attendance affects final course grades. Indicate whether and how missed exams, laboratory sessions, etc. can be made up. Sample attendance statement: “Students should make all reasonable efforts to attend all class meetings. However, in the event a student is unable to attend a class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence (and provide documentation, if appropriate), and make up class work missed within a reasonable amount of time, if allowed. Missing class meetings may result in a reduction of the overall grade in the class.” ] [Successful completion of this course relies on your attendance and participation. As a skills-based/performance-based course, you can expect to be asked regularly to sing or play music independently, teach your classmates, present, or engage in score study and analysis. Because you will be learning and demonstrating new skill sets, observing those skills in others, and sometimes participating in student-led teaching exercises, attendance is especially important in this course. For every absence beyond 3, you will lose 2% points on your final grade—capped at 10%.]

 

Academic Integrity Statement

You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:

  • -[Fail the assignment.
  • Be reported to the Center for Community Standards.
  • Have the right to appeal my decision.
  • Cannot drop the course or withdraw from it until the appeals process is complete.]

-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards

-Have the right to appeal my decision

-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished

If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.

If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.