UNI Choirs Syllabi

Fall 2025

John Wiles, D.M.A.
Professor of Music
Director of Choral Activities
University of Northern Iowa
office: 86 GPBAC
email: john.wiles@uni.edu
office hours: MWF 1:00pm-1:50pm

MUS ENS 1100, 3100, 5100 sections 1-5, including (P): Concert Chorale, UNI Singers, Cecilians, & UNI Varsity Glee Club

(1) Credit Hour. Students should expect to work approximately 2 hours per week outside of class for every course credit hour.

You can view the calendar for all choruses here.

Subscribe to the Concert Chorale / UNI Singers Google Calendar.

Subscribe to the Cecilians Google Calendar.

Subscribe to the Glee Club Google Calendar.

All choral students are required to complete this form immediately.

Prerequisites

Concert Chorale, UNI Singers, Cantorei: An audition is required. These choruses require students to have the ability to sing beautifully, in tune, and with dynamic range. A prior background of musical experience or training is expected and students should be able to demonstrate sight-reading and foreign language (Latin, Italian, German, & French) skills. Concurrent enrollment in applied vocal study at UNI is recommended, but not required.
Cecilians & Varsity Glee Club: No prerequisites.

Class Meeting Time and Location

Concert Chorale and UNI Singers meet concurrently in Jebe Hall on MWF, 2:00-3:20pm
Cantorei meets in Jebe Hall on WF, 1:00-1:50pm
Cecilians meet in Jebe Hall on MW, 3:30pm-5:20pm
Varsity Glee Club meets in Jebe Hall on MW, 6:00pm-7:50pm

Course Description

Choral performance ensemble specializing in choral literature.

Materials

Music: Issued by UNI. You are responsible for ALL music. Your grade will be withheld until all music issued to you is accounted for, paid for or replaced.
Tuning Fork - A 440: Concert Chorale, UNI Singers, and Cantorei only.

Concert Attire

Concert Chorale, UNI Singers, Cecilians:

Formal Black. Students may wear either pants or a dress but should avoid “soloist clothing.”
If wearing pants: most outfits with pants require a coat to be considered formal.
If wearing a blouse: students will need a cardigan or coat to be considered formal.
If wearing a dress/skirt: garments should be tea-length or longer.
If wearing a suit: collared shirts are required, ties are not.
Cecilians: Purple scarves (Seniors wear yellow scarves)

Glee Club:

You will be issued Glee Club shirt and tie.
Upperclassmen are encouraged to get their own black suit.
Those in need will be issued a Glee Club black tuxedo.
Lapel Pins should be Glee Club related.

Other performance attire options will be considered, but must be approved by conductor by the end of the second week of term. All performance attire must be in hand by September 15, 2025.

Policies and Expectations

All choirs are participatory, performance-oriented courses. The musical experience and artistic quality of the ensemble is dependent upon the commitment and contribution of each member. As a member of this elite ensemble, a student will be expected to:

Attend all rehearsals and performances
Arrive a few minutes early with all music, a pencil, and your tuning fork (Chorale, UNI Singers only)
Participate fully throughout every rehearsal and performance
Notate musical markings indicated by the conductor
Number all measures
Practice the music outside of rehearsal so that you become individually proficient
Inform your voice teacher if you plan to audition for a solo and if you receive a solo
Purchase, borrow or otherwise obtain performance attire (see above)
Attend the concerts given by other UNI choral ensembles (dates/times provided above)
Turn cell phones to silent or off prior to rehearsal (If the student is awaiting important news [such as family emergency], please communicate this to Dr. Wiles and the relevant student leadership so that you may keep your phone on.)
Place bags by organ upon entrance. Students should be in their seat with only their music, pencil, water, and tuning fork.

Attendance and Grading

Ensemble grades are based primarily on the following five factors, all of which are considered when assigning ensemble grades:

Performance and preparation
Quartet Performance (The conductor reserves the right to establish quartet testing to assess for music learning, intonation, and balance.)
Contribution to the ensemble
Cooperation and professionalism
Attendance (Attendance alone does not determine the final grade, but does determine a student’s maximum attainable grade before other factors are considered.)
- Students may request an absence to be excused based upon the criteria established in University Policy 3.06
- Each unexcused absence may result in the maximum grade attainable being lowered by a full letter grade. [1 unexcused absence = B; 2 unexcused absence = C; etc.]
- Any student who is tardy or misses a dress rehearsal, orchestra rehearsal, or who misses a week or more of rehearsals in preparation for a program, may be removed from the concert at the conductor's discretion. Also, any student who misses a dress rehearsal or a concert may be expelled from the ensemble for the remainder of the semester, receiving the grade [F]. More than three absences or willful neglect of ensemble responsibilities may also subject a student to expulsion from the ensemble.
- Students are considered tardy if they arrive after warm ups have commenced. Two instances of tardiness are equivalent to one unexcused absence. Tardiness for performances, dress rehearsals, orchestra rehearsals, or other major rehearsals will be treated as absences. Students who leave rehearsal prior to the end of the regularly scheduled dismissal will be considered tardy.
- All anticipated conflicts with the ensemble schedule must be submitted to the request board by the end of the second week of the term.
- Professional Leave: Under special circumstances, students may request Professional Leave from a rehearsal. Leave will be considered for those with direct conflicts involving major performance or audition opportunities (Graduate School Auditions/Professional Performances). Requests for permission to miss a rehearsal for such professional reasons must be submitted no later than six weeks before the date of the rehearsal in question. Students requesting permission to miss a rehearsal for an audition opportunity should first check with the organization offering the audition to determine whether it could be rescheduled to a time that does not conflict with their prior ensemble obligations. Students with major roles in UNI Opera may be considered for Professional Leave for mainstage productions.
- To submit an excused absence request, complete an excused absence request form (on Dr. Wiles' office board) and place the completed form in the excused absence request folder. Requests must be made no later than 2 weeks after the absence in question. These forms will be curated by Dr. Wiles graduate assistant. To make an appeal, speak with Dr. Wiles.

Medical Leave

Students with physical conditions requiring short-term medical leave involving up to a week of rehearsals, but who still expect to perform in the program, are required to attend rehearsals even if they cannot play or sing, unless they are confined to bed or pose a risk of exposing other ensemble members to a contagious disease. Students requesting absences of longer than a week, which they expect will prevent them from performing on a program, must submit suitable medical documentation, in English, from a licensed care practitioner to the conductor in a timely manner. Vocalists who are on vocal rest are still required to attend choral ensemble rehearsals. In case of sudden illness or a medical emergency, it is the student's responsibility to notify the conductor of their absence as soon as possible.

Program Learning Objectives - BM and BA core

Performance. Students will perform in at least one major area (instrument, voice, or composition).
Music Theory. Students shall demonstrate a functional knowledge of the harmonic language and grammar of music from the common practice period.
Sight Singing. Students shall demonstrate proficiency in singing a melody at sight.
Music History. Students shall demonstrate a thorough knowledge of music history and literature, including recognition of music from important historical periods and styles.
Critical Thinking. Students shall demonstrate integration and synthesis of their understanding of music through a written presentation.

Program Learning Objectives – Graduate Core:

Music History. Students shall demonstrate a functional knowledge of the history of Western music from the 16th to 21st century by defining important terminology, identifying major repertoire works by listening, and writing convincingly about broad topics related to instrumental and vocal music genres.
Music Theory: Students shall demonstrate a functional knowledge of the theoretical basis of Western music, extending knowledge gained in undergraduate music theory studies, in preparation for entrance into any doctoral music program.
Critical Thinking. Students will demonstrate critical thinking through evaluation, analysis, and integration of information in music history and theory (graduate music core) with their area of specialization (applied music, composition, conducting, music history, pedagogy, or music education) as appropriate to their discipline.

Student Learning Outcomes – Ensembles:

At the end of this course, all students shall demonstrate a more detailed and specialized knowledge of performance styles in the appropriate repertory for this ensemble. Students will have achieved a musical experience that included a synthesis of performance practice, appropriate technique, historical perspectives and musical analysis. (PLO#5/3)
Undergraduate students (1100-2) will demonstrate their understanding of music theory and the appropriate level of performance in their major area through integration and synthesis of applied skills in ensemble performance. (PLO#1, PLO#2)
Undergraduate students (3100-2) will demonstrate their understanding of music theory and the appropriate level of performance in their major area through integration and synthesis of applied skills in ensemble performance. They will demonstrate increased awareness of form, style, and expression and the ability to help improve the performance of others in the ensemble applied skills in ensemble performance. (PLO#1, PLO#2, PLO#4)
Graduate students (5100-2) will demonstrate their understanding of music theory, music history and the appropriate level of performance in their major area through integration and synthesis of applied skills in ensemble performance. They shall demonstrate lateral thinking by applying concepts across all repertoire. They shall lead two sectionals with the guidance of the instructor that demonstrate readiness to lead musicians in artistic performance. (PLO#1, PLO#2. PLO#3)

University Policies

Syllabus Statements

Free Speech Syllabus Statement (Required)

As per the Board of Regents - State of Iowa, the Syllabus Free Speech Statement will be reviewed at the beginning of each course.

(Approved by UNI Faculty Senate: March 25, 2024; April 26, 2021)

The University of Northern Iowa supports and upholds the First Amendment protection of freedom of
speech and the principles of academic and artistic freedom. We encourage the free and responsible
exchange of diverse ideas on our campus. The University is committed to open inquiry and the spirited
and thoughtful debate of such ideas.

All UNI employees, students, applicants and campus visitors are welcome to disclose their personal
pronoun preferences, though no one shall be compelled to do so.

Visit Free Speech at UNI https://freespeech.uni.edu/ for more information or to report a concern.

Essential Elements/Best Practices for Course Syllabi (Required)

Appendix C: Syllabi

Office of Civil Rights Compliance (Required)

Non-discrimination in Employment or Education

Content in this class has the potential to be disturbing to some individuals based on life experiences. If you ever feel the need to step out of the classroom or decline participation in an activity, please request an alternative learning experience.

UNI Policy 13.02 Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct states: "The University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination and harassment based on a protected class, as well as retaliation."

Policy 13.02 outlines prohibited conduct and reporting processes. All University employees who are aware of or witness discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation are required to promptly report to the Title IX Officer or Title IX Deputy Coordinator.

Title IX Officer Leah Gutknecht, Assistant to the President for Civil Rights Compliance, 117 Gilchrist, 319.273.2846, leah.gutknecht@uni.edu

If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources at civilrights.uni.edu. Resources that provide free, confidential counseling are also detailed at civilrights.uni.edu.

For additional information, contact the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 117 Gilchrist Hall, 273-2846, civilrights@uni.edu.

Student Accessibility Services (Required)

Accessibility Statement

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Fair Housing Act, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Students with disabilities experiencing a barrier to access should connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to request accommodations. SAS views disabilities as an integral part of the rich diversity at UNI and works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create an accessible educational environment for students. UNI faculty are not obligated to provide accommodations for students with disabilities without proper notification from SAS and the student. Students may initiate the accommodation process at any time. However, accommodations are not retroactive, and the process for getting connected takes time. Therefore, SAS staff always recommends that students initiate the process as soon as possible rather than wait for academic and social-emotional responsibilities to become overly stressful and/or overwhelming. For more information about the accommodation process, please contact SAS at (319) 273-2332 Relay 711, accessibilityservices@uni.edu, or GIL 102. Additional information is also available at sas.uni.edu.

Shorter Version:

The Learning Center

The Learning Center at Rod Library provides free tutoring for a variety of different areas (i.e., writing, math, science, business, Spanish, college reading and learning strategies). The Learning Center at Rod Library is open for walk-in assistance Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm, and Sunday 5pm-8pm and is free of charge for all UNI students. If you are unavailable during normal tutoring hours, online tutoring is also available through Tutor.com. To learn how to access the program, go to https://tlc.uni.edu/online, email TheLearningCenter@uni.edu , call 319-273-6023, or visit the TLC desk located on the main floor of Rod Library.

In addition, The Office of International Engagement offers free coaching sessions with experienced staff, in-person and online, for international and multilingual students. Students can schedule time with an advisor for in-person assistance or simply walk-in for services during established coaching times located in Maucker Union 113. More information can be found on the OIE Academic Coaching Website.