COURSE DESCRIPTION

This ensemble course explores the rhythmic and textural innovations of the soft rock music of the 1970s known as Yacht Rock, with particular focus on groove, feel, and arrangement. Students will study selected Yacht Rock recordings, learn to transcribe and arrange parts, and rehearse toward a culminating live performance. Through hands-on work, students will deepen their understanding of Yacht Rock’s combination of R&B, funk, and rock as both a musical and cultural phenomenon as well as learn the necessary components of a successful live performance.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will attain the following skills:

• Professional collaboration: working respectfully and effectively with musicians, technicians, and artists, showing attentiveness, reliability, and focus in creating live performances.

• Musical preparation and delivery: selecting, arranging, rehearsing, refining, and performing repertoire with a high level of professionalism.

• Audience engagement: understanding how to connect with listeners through thoughtful set design, smooth transitions, and the creation of memorable, musical moments.

• Musical skills: recognizing the role and importance of a groove in contemporary music and  developing confidence and creativity as a performer.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND RECOMMENDED STUDY RESOURCES

-       Access to MuseScore 4

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grades will be based on the following:

A | A  93-100 | A- 90-92 |

B | B+ 87-89 | B  83-86 | B- 80-82 |

C | C+ 77-79 | C  73-76 | C- 70-72 |

D | D+ 67-69 | D  63-66 | D- 60-62 |

F | Less than 59 |

Transcriptions (10 @ 20pts) 200 points

Students will complete 10 detailed transcriptions of assigned recordings. These should include rhythm, melody, harmony, and articulation as appropriate for assigned instrument/voice. Accuracy and formatting are graded.

Compositions (2 @ 100pts)  200 points

Students will write and arrange two original Yacht Rock-inspired songs. Pieces should incorporate groove-based structures, call-and-response elements, and clear parts for rhythm section instrumentation. Arrangements will be rehearsed and performed.

Rehearsals: 200 points

Students are expected to attend all rehearsals on time, contribute positively, and arrive prepared (parts learned, materials ready). Grading reflects attendance, preparedness, and collaborative effort.

Performance: 400 points

Throughout the semester, students will plan and execute a final concert. Grading includes set list design, instrumentation, stage plot, input/output sheet, audio and venue planning, promotion, and execution of the live performance.

INCOMPLETES AND LATE ASSIGNMENTS

All assignments are to be submitted/turned in by the beginning of the class session when they are due—including assignments posted in Canvas. Incompletes will only be assigned in extremely unusual circumstances.

Late assignments completed after the due date will be penalized ten points per day. Assignments will close a week after the due date at which point no credit will be awarded.

*Please note: all due dates/times are PST (Pacific Standard Time)

AI STATEMENT

You are allowed to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini Pro 1.5, GrammarlyGo, Perplexity, etc) to generate ideas, but you are not allowed to use AI tools to generate content (text, video, audio, images) that will end up in any work submitted to be graded for this course. If you have any doubts about using AI, please gain permission from the instructor.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Module 1 – Orientation and Early Yacht Rock

·       Overview of ensemble expectations, rehearsal structure, and grading

·       Introduction to Yacht Rock style, key artists, and signature sounds

Module 2 – Intro to Transcription

·       Transcription #1 due

Module 3 – Early Hits

·       “Sailing” – Christopher Cross

·       “Baby Come Back” – Player

·       Transcription #2 due

Module 4 – Michael McDonald & Smooth Grooves

·       “I Keep Forgettin’” – Michael McDonald

·       “What a Fool Believes” – The Doobie Brothers

·       Transcription #3 due

Module 5 – Soft Rock Classics

·       “Steal Away” – Robbie Dupree

·       “You Can Do Magic” – America

·       Transcription #4 due

 Module 6 – Harmonic Sophistication

·       “Biggest Part of Me” – Ambrosia

·       “Peg” – Steely Dan

·       Transcription #5 due

Module 7 – Yacht Rock Shuffle Staples

·       “Lido Shuffle” – Boz Scaggs

·       “Rosanna” – Toto

·       Transcription #6 due

·       Original Composition #1 presented and rehearsed

Module 8 – R&B Influences

·       “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” – Hall & Oates

·       “I Can’t Tell You Why” – Eagles

·       Transcription #7 due

Module 9 – Pop Rock

·       “New Kid in Town” – Eagles

·       “How Long” – Ace

·       Transcription #8 due

Module 10 – Island & Folk Influences

·       “Southern Cross” – Crosby, Stills & Nash

·       “Margaritaville” – Jimmy Buffett

·       Transcription #9 due

·       Original Composition #2 presented and rehearsed

Module 11 – Concert Preparations

·       Stage plot, I/O sheet, and set list finalized

·       Transcription #10 due

Module 12 – Concert Performance

·       Full ensemble performance of selected Yacht Rock repertoire