# MUSE 462/562-1001: Marimba Band UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS College of Fine Arts / School of Music / Percussion Area **Spring 2026** | | | | ------------------- | --------------------------------- | | **Time** (1001) | TuTh 11:30AM - 12:45PM | | **Time** (1002) | TuFr 1:00PM - 2:15PM | | **Class Location** | HFA 235 | | **Office Location** | HFA 208 | | **Office Hours** | by appointment | | **Phone:** | n/a | | **WebCampus** | https://www.it.unlv.edu/webcampus | | **Email** | [email protected] | **_Note:_** The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus as it relates to how the course is administered. ## Course Description Marimba Band is a chamber music course focusing on the various iterations of keyboard ensembles relevant to the total percussion discipline. This course surveys historically and culturally significant literature and performance practices of the following marimba and keyboard percussion ensembles: - Traditional Guatemalan and Mexican marimba band - Ragtime xylophone and vaudeville-style xylophone/marimba bands - Classical marimba orchestra from the 1930s through 1950s Other focuses include performance of popular music arranged for three- (or four-) part marimba band for run-out performances. ## Course Prerequisite(s) Successful Audition ## Course Rationale The marimba and keyboard percussion ensemble carries a rich and globally diverse performance lineage—from traditional Mesoamerican marimba bands through ragtime-era xylophone ensembles to the classical marimba orchestra. This course exists to give percussionists direct command of those traditions and their performance practices, while building the chamber-music, orchestration, and arranging skills the keyboard ensemble uniquely develops. Students leave able to perform across these styles and to adapt and arrange repertoire for marimba band themselves. ## [[4.1.0 What are "Program Competencies"|Program Competencies]] **[[4.1.1 BM Competencies|BM Competencies]] (MUSE 462):** - Perform in solo and ensemble (large and small) settings at a level appropriate for the area of specialization, with sufficient technical and musical skills requisite for artistic self-expression. - Read solo and ensemble literature at sight with fluency demonstrating general musicianship and a skill level relevant to professional standards. - Demonstrate knowledge of styles, composers, genres, forms, and processes—including contributions made by composers of multicultural societies. **[[4.1.2 MM Competencies|MM Competencies]] (MUSE 562):** - Demonstrate advanced proficiency in performance, showcasing technical skill, expressiveness, and interpretive depth in ensemble settings at a professional level. - Interpret and perform a core body of repertoire appropriate to their performance medium. - Demonstrate an understanding of diverse musical traditions, cultural perspectives, and inclusive pedagogical approaches in performance, teaching, and scholarship. **[[4.1.3 DMA Competencies|DMA Competencies]] (MUSE 562):** - Perform or conduct and rehearse in an area of specialization at the highest level of professional practice. - Display a thorough understanding of the history of their instrument and a comprehensive knowledge of the repertoire and literature specific to the area of specialization. ## Course Competencies - Rehearsal preparation and weekly sight-reading of new literature - Demonstration of musical awareness and real-time decision-making - Timely completion and quality of assigned ensemble arrangements - Demonstration of professionalism and musical excellence during live performance - Contribution to the ensemble through positivity, engagement, and maximum effort ## Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives 1. Develop an understanding of the historical and cultural evolution of marimba and keyboard ensemble performance. 2. Gain an understanding of the stylistic nuances of traditional Mexican and Guatemalan marimba music. 3. Develop solo xylophone and ensemble performance practice through exploration of Ragtime repertoire. 4. Develop an understanding of orchestration through exposure to large marimba orchestra works. 5. Acquire a base-level understanding of three- and four-part marimba band arranging through adaptation of current popular music. ## Required Text Students must own at least a modest collection of keyboard percussion mallets. Ask your instructor if you have concerns about whether your personal implement collection meets the minimum to succeed in this course. No text purchase is required. Sheet music, books, and other literature are provided to students. ## Evaluation Methods Ensembles carry few point-bearing assignments. **The final grade is a qualitative judgment against the five assessable areas listed under [[#Course Competencies]]**. See **[[#Grading Policy]]** for the qualitative scale. ## Attendance Policy As a chamber ensemble course, every student is crucial to the shared experience among peers. Attendance is therefore mandatory, and failure to communicate possible absences will result in a lowered or failing grade at the instructor's discretion. Most absences due to illness or other life events are often fully excused with reasonable advance notification. Communicate impending punctuality or absence issues as early as it is safe to do so. ## Grading Policy Ensembles have few point-bearing assignments. The following is a general, qualitative representation of letter grades relative to the **four areas of assessment** from the **[[MUSE 461+561 - Percussion Ensemble#Course Competencies|Course Competencies]]**: | Grade range | Descriptor | Standard | |---|---|---| | A- to A | Proficient | Consistently demonstrates/achieves | | B to B+ | Sufficient | Frequently demonstrates/achieves | | C to B- | Sufficient | Sometimes demonstrates/achieves | | D- to C- | Insufficient | Rarely demonstrates/achieves | | F | Deficient | Never demonstrates/achieves | Interpretation of this policy and final grades are at the discretion of the instructor. In general, being punctual, prepared, and engaged in class will result in a positive final grade. Concerns regarding a student's potential underperformance will be addressed between instructor and student well before a negative grade is earned by the end of a semester. # Course Agenda/Schedule | **Module/Week #** | **Activity** | **Due/Benchmark Dates** | | ----------------- | ------------ | ----------------------- | | — | — | — | ## [[6.6 University Policies|University Policies]]