UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology

ETHNOMUSICOLOGY 91K/161K

Music of Mexico, Spring Quarter 2008

Professor: Jesús “Chuy” Guzmán

Mondays 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Schoenberg Hall Room 1345

TA: Leticia Isabel Soto, leticia@ucla.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Ethnomusicology 91k/161k is a performance course designed to familiarize and expose musicians to the repertoire, technique, and musical styles of the mariachi tradition. The sheet music provided by Professor Guzman is for a mariachi ensemble whose instrumentation includes the guitar, vihuela, guitarrón, violins, and trumpets. However, you may welcome to bring another instrument, so long as it is approved by the professor and you can read the music provided.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

If you play an instrument in the mariachi ensemble, or want to learn to play, you fulfill the requirements for this course. Please note that UCLA does not provide instruments. All students must bring their own instrument to every class.

ATTENDANCE:

As a music performance course, all students are expected to attend every class from the beginning to the end of the quarter. Students are required to arrive on time.

• All students must sign in at beginning of the class and initial the sign-in sheet at the end of the class. No one other than yourself can sign-in or sign-out for you. Failing to sign-in or sign-out will count as an unexcused absence.
• Unexcused absences are not permitted and will result in your grade being lowered one step per each unexcused absence. To record an excused absence, notify the TA (LETICIA@UCLA.EDU) by e-mail after you have obtained permission from the Professor.
• There will be one performance, possibly more during the academic year. As soon as the date(s) are confirmed, you will be notified in class and the information will be posted on the website.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

All students are expected to behave in a professional and respectful manner while in this performance course. It is expected that students are taking this class out of a genuine interest in the subject matter. Therefore students will give their full attention to the Professor and ongoing instruction. Other items concerning course etiquette:

• Do not work on homework for other courses
• Do not read unrelated material such as newspapers and magazines (to name a few) during class
• Do not engage in disruptive conversation with each other during class time
• Food and drink are not allowed in class, do not leave anything lying around before you leave
• Pagers and cell phones must be silenced 
• Bring your music and your instrument to every class

GRADES: 

Students will be graded on their attendance, active class participation, active listening and attention to all demonstrations and explanations given by the Professor, adhering to classroom behavior guidelines as explained above and full participation in performances.

• For any plans that interfere during class, change them or it will affect your grade
• Incompletes will not be granted
• All records and grades for this class will be kept on file for one quarter after completion of class. Students should make inquires regarding their grades within two weeks of grade distribution.

COURSE WEBSITE: www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu/courses/winter/2008/91k

Please check website for uploaded music performance information. For website issues please contact Lauryn Salazar at: yaveras1@aol.com.

The syllabus is subject to change