Spring 2026 Course Syllabus Course: MUEN-1251 (Section: 1, CRN: 10535) Chamber (Small) Vocal Ensemble

Instructor Information
Instructor	Dr. Blas Canedo Gonzalez
Email	canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6547
Office	Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center - Room: 126
Office Hours	Sam and Linda Monroe Office 144 at the PAC Building. Office hours: M-F: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM">Sam and Linda Monroe Office 144 at the PAC Building. Office hours: M-F: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description	Chamber (Small) Vocal Ensembles. Examples of small vocal ensembles may include but are not limited to glee club, madrigals, opera/musical theater, commercial, and folk.
Required Textbooks	Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer. None. Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Additional Materials/Resources	Binder, Sheet Music, Pencil, and Eraser.
Corequisites/Prerequisites	None.">None.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of the course, students will demonstrate improved singing and performing skills including: increased or improved volume range, pitch range, breathing, singing diction, expressiveness, confidence in performing, stage presence, and ensemble techniques such as blend, balance, and color.
Core Objectives	* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication. * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.   * Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. * Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. * Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Lecture Topics Outline	How to learn a Song Harmonic hearing techniques Vocal technique Vocal ensemble Techniques Lyric Diction Vocal Ensemble: rehearsals and performance preparation. Vocal Ensemble Feedback Performances for Spring recital, Art Concert Shows, and Master Classes
Major Assignments Schedule	Rehearsal Attendance  Music learning and memorization Rehearsal Preparation  Performances: Master Class: April 13th-15th (Monday through Wednesday; Recital: April 14th; Art Show/Concert: Dress rehearsal Tuesday, March 17th, Thursday, Performance March 19th. Madison Show on May, date TBA. Attendance to concerts and master class Professional Attitude
Final Exam Date	May 8, 2026 - 2:0 PM   Through  May 8, 2026 - 3:30 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Rehearsal Attendance 25% Rehearsal Preparation 25% * Performances 40% Professional Attitude 10% * If a student misses a scheduled performance they may receive a failing grade for the course.    Instructor will exercise discretion in these matters.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Students may email me at richardsoncc@lamarpa.edu. I will respond as soon as possible. To discuss grades, extra credit, etc., you must schedule an office visit for advising. Please refer to office hours listed above. PLEASE MAKE USE OF OFFICE HOURS AND E-MAIL FOR GUIDANCE WITH CLASS CONTENT.
Attendance Policy	Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. Policies for this course are as described below: You get one 1 free absence before your lates/absences start to count against your grade in the attendance category. After that, EACH UNEXCUSED ABSENCE DEDUCTS 20% OF YOUR ATTENDANCE GRADE. Three lates = 1 absence. Excused absences must meet the following criteria: death in the family, medical related emergency, illness with doctor's note. Any cause beyond this will be left up to instructor discretion. Excused absences will be considered on a case by case basis. YOU MUST E-MAIL YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU MISS CLASS with an explanation of why you will be absent. The date and time of the e-mail will be considered. Excused absences are conditional upon this. Any deviation will be considered at the discretion of the instructor. More than 3 unexcused absences may result in failing the course for the semester.
Additional Information	None.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect	As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct	LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting	For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern	If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information	Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts Chair: CASP Email: CASP Phone: (409) 983-4921