SPRING 2021
All online Spring MECA
courses begin on February 8
and conclude on May 9, 2021,
except as noted.
Registration for
all online courses
closes at 12:00 noon CST
on February 5, 2021.
Questions?
Visit our MECA FAQs page.
Add, drop, change or withdraw
using the Add/Drop Form.
For all other MECA-related
questions, contact us at
meca@vandercook.edu
or 312.788.1139.
Choral Arranging *
ONLINE
February 8–May 9, 2021
This course explores the essential concepts and techniques for arranging choral music at the elementary and secondary school levels, including voice types and ranges; notation; harmonic principles; the importance of text in regards to mood and melodic shape; keyboard accompaniment; homophonic and contrapuntal textures; two-, three- and four-part densities; and adapting an existing arrangement to a different setting. Lectures, discussion, analysis of musical examples, quizzes and arranging exercises are all components of this course.
Outcomes:
* Choral Arranging is offered at two course levels. Students enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook are eligible to enroll at the 500 level. Students not enrolled in the MMEd program who wish to earn graduate credit as a MECA Continuing Education student should register at the 7000 level. The difference in credits earned and tuition cost is attributed to the difference in tuition rates for the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you are unsure which level is best for you, please contact us directly at meca@vandercook.edu.
Instructor: Thomas Jesse
Thomas Jesse (MMEd '13) studied music at Michigan State University and earned his music education at Northern Illinois University and his master’s from VanderCook. In his teaching career, Jesse has taught K-6 general music, 6-12 chorus, musical theatre, music technology, guitar, acting and theatre technology. He studied jazz arranging with Jennifer Barnes and choral arranging with longtime VanderCook professor Mary Ann Krupa. He has written arrangements for professional a cappella groups as well as numerous arrangements for women’s chorus and middle school chorus. He currently sings for FAMEntertainment and teaches 6-8th grade chorus and 6th grade general music at Kennedy Junior High in Lisle, IL.
Choral Arranging
Instructor
Thom Jesse
tjesse@vandercook.edu
Tuition
MECA Students
3 Graduate Credits
Course Code 7121
$1,065, due in full with registration
MMEd Students
2 Graduate Credits
Course Code 525
$1,140, due in full with registration
Chat Sessions
TBD
Required Text(s)
None
Software/Hardware Requirements
Access to a Mac, PC or Chromebook, connected to the Internet.
Students must have access to notation software such as Finale,
Sibelius, Noteflight, Flat.io, MuseScore, etc. Free versions are
fine, but may have limited access to saving scores and projects.
For this course, notation software must have the capability to
import and export in Music XML format.
MECA Online
is powered by Schoology
Schoology is a learning management system that allows you to interact directly with your instructors, fellow students, and members of the greater VanderCook community.
Spring 2021 MECA courses officially begin on Monday, Feb. 8. Soon after you register, be on the lookout for an email from Schoology with log-in instructions. Once you receive credentials, visit www.online.vandercook.edu to login. On the morning of February 8, you'll have access to your classroom and course material.
Some courses have specific online chat meeting times (please see course descriptions), while others have a flexible meeting schedule. You can expect all courses to meet together in a live online chat. If a live meeting time doesn’t work, you can work with your instructor to make other arrangements.
Online grades will be reported by mid-June. If you need a transcript, please visit the online transcript request page. For faster turnaround time, please submit the transcript request to the registrar prior to the end of your course(s).
More information about Schoology can be found at www.schoology.com.