Course Description
Vocal technique studies focusing specifically on technique related to musical theatre vocal production. This is the first in an eight semester sequence. In the first year students should demonstrate healthy habits of breathing and resonance techniques and be able to sing in fundamental classic and contemporary musical theatre styles. Prerequisite: Audition Required; Open only to those in the BFA Drama with Musical Theatre Concentration.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Focus on the development of the voice, including breath control, resonance, alignment, tension release, increase of range, and healthy production in various styles of singing.
- Learn healthy and effective vocalization and warm-up techniques.
- Learn healthy vocal habits surrounding hydration, diet, and general health.
- Work to identify repertoire that is appropriate for their performance type and vocal level.
- Assessment of technical ability and notable growth in technique (breath control, resonance, stamina).
- Exposure to classical and musical theatre vocal technique.
- Assessment of student vocal level including basics of breath and resonance, release of tension, and vocal hygiene.
- Perform Art Song in English and Italian as well as Musical Theatre (Great American Songbook, Golden Age, Contemporary MT) with a minimum of 4 songs required.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Lesson Notes | 30% |
| Learned and Memorization Tests | 20% |
| Assignments: Song Sheets, Readings, and Other | 20% |
| Final Jury | 10% |
| Teacher Discretion – Classroom conduct and professionalism, rehearsal attendance, respectful accompanist interaction, and overall technical growth | 20% |
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 100.0% - 95% | A |
| 94.99% - 90% | A- |
| 89.99% - 87% | B+ |
| 86.99% - 83% | B |
| 82.99% - 80% | B- |
| 79.99% - 77% | C+ |
| 76.99% - 73% | C |
| 72.99% - 70% | C- |
| 69.99% - 67% | D+ |
| 66.99% - 63% | D |
| 62.99% - 60% | D- |
| 59.99% - 0% | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Students are expected to attend all lessons. There are twelve lessons in each semester of study. If a student receives fewer than twelve lessons, their grade will be lowered by 5% for each extra lesson missed.
Late work (except lesson notes) will be accepted up until the Thursday after Juries. This is a hard deadline. Late assignments will receive the following penalties:
Assignments that are a day late or less will lose 10%.
Assignments that are later than one day, but are turned in before grading will lose 20%.
Assignments turned in after grading will lose 50%.
Lesson notes turned in more than two weeks late will receive a zero.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
- Sheet Music (or pdf on a tablet). Students are responsible for acquiring copies of their music; purchasing music is the student's financial responsibility if required.
- 4Score app if using a tablet for sheet music to take clear, quick notes.
- Accompanist time for face-to-face lessons and rehearsals; students must hire and compensate accompanists.
- 3-ring binder or iPad for organizing songs and notes.
- Recording device (e.g., phone set to airplane mode) to record lessons.
- Digital accompaniment tracks for practice and performance, which may be created by the accompanist.
- Pencil and/or erasable pen for music notation.
- Performance shoes if required by role.
- Water bottle for warmups.
- Practice tools provided by instructor (e.g., different sized straws, cork, rubber bands), which must be brought to all lessons.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.