Dan Mitchell's De Anza College Site

My spring 2009 finals week schedule

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:40:45 GMT

As of Monday, this is my final exam week schedule - subject to change as the week continues of course.

Monday, June 22

9:30-10:20	Music 1A regular class meeting including re-take of quiz 10.
10:30-11:30	Music 1A regular class meeting including re-take of quiz 10.
11:30-12:30	Office hour (may be in A91 for part of the time)
12:30-2:10	Music 51 regular class meeting - including test #2.

Tuesday, June 23

9:15-10:30	Final exam session for the 9:30 MTWTh Music 1A class. Session starts at 9:30, but you may arrive as late as 9:30. Tests will be collected at 10:30.
Later	I hope to provide a couple hours of open lab for electronic music students later in the morning or in the early afternoon. Watch the electronic music web site for more information.

Wednesday, June 24

9:15-10:30	Final exam session for the 10:30 MTWTh Music 1A class. Session starts at 9:30, but you may arrive as late as 9:30. Tests will be collected at 10:30.
11:30-1:30	Final exam session for the MW Music 51: Intro to Electronic Music class. Final project playback

Thursday, June 25

All day

I have no final exams scheduled on Thursday, but I will likely be on campus at least part of the day. Please email me if you want to make an appointment ot meet.

Friday, June 26

9:15-10:30	Final exam session for the Friday-only Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class. Final project playback and test #2.
11:30-1:30	Final exam session for the Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class. Final project playback

Brick and Glass Building, Evening - San Francisco

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:57:30 GMT

So, did you do your "participatory democracy" thing yet? :-)

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:29:48 GMT

See below for the details...

A Critical Time to Speak Up About the California Budget

Dan Mitchell — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:25:28 GMT

I cannot and will not tell you what point of view to hold or express regarding the current budget crisis in California. However, given the tremendously high stakes for all Californians and especially for students in California Community Colleges, if there was ever a time when it was important that you communicate your concerns and your position to the governor and legislative leaders that time is NOW.

I urge you in the strongest terms to take a few minutes to craft a concise message briefly describing your position on the California budget and briefly mentioning who you are and why you care about how this issue is handled - and to then sent it to as many of the following as you think appropriate.

Don't wait for someone else to do it!

Legislative Leadership

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.445.2841
Fax: 916-558-3160
E-mail link: http://gov.ca.gov/interact

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
P.O. Box 942849
Room 219
Sacramento, CA 94249-0047
Phone: 916.319.2047
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Speaker/

Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines (until June 1)
State Capitol, Room 3104
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.319.2029
Fax: 916.319.2129
E-mail link: http://republican.assembly.ca.gov/member/29/?p=email

Assembly Minority Leader Sam Blakeslee (after June 1)
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA
Phone: 916.319.2033
Fax: 916.319.2133
E-mail link: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/33/?p=email

Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4006
Fax: 916.323.2263
E-mail link: http://legplcms01.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.aspx?district=SD06
(Responses to district constituents only)

Senate Minority Leader Dennis Hollingsworth
State Capitol, Room 305
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4036
Fax: 916.447.9008
E-mail link: http://cssrc.us/web/36/contact_us.aspx
(Responses to district constituents only)

Local Legislators

Assemblymember Paul Fong (Capitol Office)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0022
Phone: 916.319.2022
Fax: 916.319.2122
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a22/

Assemblymember Fong (District Office)
274 Castro St., Suite 202
Mountain View, CA 94041
Phone: 408.277.2003
Fax: 408.277.2084

Senator Elaine Alquist (Capitol Office)
State Capitol, Room 5080
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4013
Fax: 916.324.0283
E-mail: senator.alquist@sen.ca.gov
Senator Alquist (San Jose Office)
100 Paseo de San Antonio, #209
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408.286.8318

Conference Committee on the Budget

Assemblymember Noreen Evans, Chair
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0007
Phone: 916.319.2007
Fax: 916.319.2107
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a07/
(Responses to district constituents only)

Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, Vice Chair
State Capitol, Room 5035
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4040
Fax: 916.327.3522
E-mail link: http://legplcms01.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.aspx?district=SD40
(Responses to district constituents only)

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0040
Phone: 916.319.2040
Fax: 916. 319.2140
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/MEMBERS/A40/
(Responses to district constituents only)

Assemblymember Kevin de LeÃ³n
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0045
Phone: 916.319.2045
Fax: 916.319.214
E-mail link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a45/
(Responses to district constituents only)

Assemblymember Jim Nielsen
State Capitol, Room 6031
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.319.2002
Fax: 916.319.2102
E-mail link: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/2/default.aspx?p=email
(Responses to district constituents only)

Assemblymember Roger Niello
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.319.2005
Fax: 916.319.2105
E-mail link: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/5/?p=email

Senator Robert Dutton
State Capitol, Room 5094
Sacramento, CA
Phone: 916.651.4031
Fax: 916.327.2272
E-mail link: http://cssrc.us/web/31/contact_us.aspx

Senator Mark Leno
State Capitol, Room 4061
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4003
Fax: 916.445.4722
E-mail: senator.leno@senate.ca.gov

Senator Alan Lowenthal
State Capitol, Room 2032
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4027
Fax: 916.327.9113
E-mail: senator.lowenthal@sen.ca.gov

Senator Mimi Walters
State Capitol, Room 3082
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4033
Fax: 916.445.9754
E-mail link: http://cssrc.us/web/33/contact_me.aspx
(Responses to district constituents only)

Altair Nouveau

Dan Mitchell — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:07:40 GMT

Hey, I know this guy. My favorite quote: "Huh. It sounds like they're trying to do minimalism, but they don't quite get it." :-)

Meadow, Hills, and Fence

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:20:39 GMT

Time for a new home page photograph, so something from spring here in Central California.

Welcome to the 2009 Spring Term

Dan Mitchell — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:17:23 GMT

If you would like to know more about the courses I teach, click on the Intro to Music and/or Electronic Music links and visit the web sites for the respective classes.

Music 1A: Introduction to Music

MTWTh 9:30-10:20 in A11. SPACE AVAILABLE.
All other De Anza College Music 1A sections are FULL at this time. If you are looking for a Music 1A class for the spring term... come to the first meeting of the 9:30 MTWTh class on Monday, April 6 and ask to add the class.

Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music

Monday/Wednesday 12:30-2:10 in A91. THIS SECTION IS FULL.*
Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music - Friday 10:30-1:50 in A91. THIS SECTION IS FULL.

Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music

Thursday/Thursday 12:30-2:10 in A91. THIS SECTION IS FULL.*

* Since space sometimes becomes available in "full" classes, it is a good idea to check the online class list for the most current information. You may also come to the first class meeting to see if additional space is available. I will likely be able to add a few more students to all three of the electronic music classes.

My Winter 2009 Final Exams Week Schedule & Spring Registration News

Dan Mitchell — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:22:01 GMT

SPRING REGISTRATION UPDATE (3/20)

Regarding Music 1A: Introduction to Music

There are still QUITE A FEW OPEN SEATS in my MTWTh 9:30-10:30 Introduction to Music section.*
My MTWTh 10:30-11:20 Music Introduction to Music section is 90% FULL AS OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON. It is almost certain that this section will fill soon, so if you want to take this class you should ENROLL IMMEDIATELY.

* Once the 10:30 section fills, the 9:30 section may begin to fill up much more quickly. While there is plenty of space in the 9:30 class now, that will likely change very soon.

There are two other sections of Music 1A.

The MW 12:30-2:10 section IS FULL and has been for a day or two.
There is still some space in the distance learning section of Music 1A, if that mode of learning appeals to you.

Music 1B: Intro to Music: Jazz meets on TTh at 10:30-12:10 and also fulfills your humanities/area C transfer requirements. There are still seats available in that class.

Regarding my Electronic Music classes...

There is still PLENTY OF SPACE in the Friday-only section of Introduction to Electronic Music, but it is likely that this will change now that the MW class is full. (Three more students joined the class today.) Enroll right away!
The Monday/Wednesday 12:30-2:10 Intro to Electronic Music class is FULL. (Students who cannot get into this class should enroll right away in the Friday-only section! Some with sufficient experience/background may qualify to go straight into the Intermediate class - Email Dan Mitchell to find out more.)
The Intermediate Electronic Music class is FULL - though the actual enrollment number suggests that there might be one more space.

Two of the three Electronic Music classes are full or virtually full at this point. What should you do?

If you are trying to get into the Intro to Electronic Music class you should sign up for the Friday-only section right away!
If you are trying to get into the Intermediate Electronic Music class you should try to sign up immediately.
What if the Intermediate class is full when you try to sign up? You have three choices:

If you have not already taken the Intro to Electronic Music class, sign up for the Friday section of Music 51 immediately. At least you'll have a spot in the EM program, and if nothing else you can fill in some gaps in your knowledge there this quarter and take the Intermediate class later when there are more openings.
Keep checking back to see if additional seats become available in the Intermediate class. There are no guarantees and you should only consider this as a "fall back" position if you cannot enroll in the Friday Intro class.
Come to the first class meeting in April and try to add. Again, this is a "last resort" strategy - it could work, but it would be better to get into a class now.

Good luck - I hope you can find a way to get into the Electronic Music program. Email Dan Mitchell with questions.

DAN MITCHELL'S FINAL EXAM WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday, March 23: This is the last regular class meeting day of the winter term. My classes meet on this day as they do on all other Mondays this quarter. We have important work scheduled in all three of my Monday classes:

Music 1A (9:30 and 10:30 sections): We'll look at some important information about minimalism and electronic music that is not covered in the text. The optional retake of quiz 10 is scheduled for the end of the period.
Music 51 (Electronic Music): I'll review the past two take-home quizzes near the start of the class, and we'll take written test #2 during the period. Remaining time will be available for work on final projects.

The Winter Quarter Final Exam Schedule begins on Tuesday, March 24. Classes typically meet for final exam sessions a different times and often on different days than they meet during the rest of the term.

Tuesday, March 24: Final exam sessions are scheduled for two of my classes.

The final exam session for my Monday-Thursday 10:30-11:20 Music 1A: Introduction to Music class is on TUESDAY, MARCH 24 at 9:15-11:15 a.m. The exam session will be used for test #3.
The final exam session for my Monday-Wednesday 12:30-2:10 Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class is on TUESDAY, MARCH 24 AT 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. This exam session will be used to play back final projects.

Wednesday, March 25: I have no final exam sessions scheduled.

Thursday, March 26: Final exam sessions are scheduled for two of my classes.

The final exam session for my Friday-only 10:30-1:50 Music 51: Introduction to Electronic Music class is on THURSDAY, MARCH 26 AT 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 p.m. This exam session will be used to play back final projects.
The final exam session for my Tuesday-Thursday 12:30-2:10 Music 8: Intermediate Electronic Music class is on THURSDAY, MARCH 26 AT 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. This exam session will be used to play back final projects.

Friday, March 27: I have one final exam session.

The final exam session for my Monday-Thursday 9:30-10:20 Music 1A: Introduction to Music class is on FRIDAY, MARCH 27 at 9:15-11:15 a.m. The exam session will be used for test #3.

Contact me immediately if you are unsure of the the final exam week schedule for your class. Also contact me immediately if a serious, unexpected, and unavoidable emergency situation interferes with your attendance at the last minute.

(Photo: Blue Dicks Flowers. Almaden Quicksilver Hills, California. March 28, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell - all rights reserved.)

Where's the remote?

Dan Mitchell — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:03:43 GMT

IMPORTANT: Factors to consider as you enroll for the next term

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:43:04 GMT

As you should know, all segments of education in the State of California are facing a very serious budget problem - many would call it a "crisis." Not only is the state facing a very significant deficit, but the state legislature and governor have been unable to come up with a plan to deal with this - finally settling on a "solution" that brings record-breaking reductions in education funding. As a result, many state programs are facing serious budget cutbacks - and these effects will likely be felt very soon...

... by you.

The community college system has not escaped these effects, and you may have to deal with them when you register for the upcoming term. If history is a guide, some of the issues you may have to deal with include:

cancellation of classes you need to complete your program.
significant reduction in the number of sections offered for many courses.
early cancellation of courses that do not fill before the start of the term.
you may find that cancelled classes leave you with too few units to qualify for full time status.
when classes are cancelled you may find that very few or no other classes are open to you to take up the slack.

If there was ever a time to commit to registering for classes early this is it. If you wait to enroll in classes you may well find that they are not available.

Register early!
If you cannot get into your first choice class, register as soon as possible into another class that could work as an alternative.
It may be better to "over enroll" to ensure that that you'll still have a full load should classes be cancelled.

Registration starts now. Enroll in your classes early. Don't wait until later to sign up for classes you may want - they will likely be gone if you wait.

Did You Call?

Dan Mitchell — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:30:02 GMT

A prospective Music 1A student left a voicemail on my office phone last Friday... but I cannot understand the person's name or telephone number. If you called and left a message and received no reply you need to call again.

Redwood Forest, Morning

Dan Mitchell — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:31:07 GMT