Syllabus

Syllabus

MU 273 - Minor Study Voice

MU 373 - Major Study Voice

Mrs. Lisa Benner

and Ms. Sara Puryear

Office 104A (annex)

phone(318) 357-3174 ext. 164

COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES

To gain further knowledge and understanding of the vocal instrument as it applies to each individual, and to learn to apply these techniques to the solo vocal performance. To give each student a strong foundation of correct and healthy vocal skills (production free of excess tension, strength, agility, range, breath control, resonance) that will serve in his/her future musical studies. To develop other musicianship skills that will aid the individual in effectively performing vocal solo literature that will suit their abilities and challenge him/her.

MATERIALS

CDR, CDRW, or cassette tape brought to each lesson

pencil brought and ready for use each lesson

notebook or three ring binder brought to each lesson

music for pieces being studied

any written assignment to be turned in

LITERATURE SCHEDULE

Once a song is assigned, the following schedule will be followed:

1st week

1) a literal translation written in your music, ability to recite poem in English and original language
            No one will begin to sing until the poem is learned in both languages!!!!!!!!!
2) a short article about the song and composer - birth/death dates, country of origin, musical period, writing style, genres
            represented, etc. Is the song from a larger work or collection? Is it typical of the composers writing style? date of
            publication and first performance, and any other information that can be found.
3) A list with definitions of all musical terms included in piece assigned.
            (Tempo markings, phrasing, dynamic instructions etc.)
4) notes learned
5) demonstration of good attempt to put language with the notes
            Instructor will help with problem areas and assist with diction. I WILL NOT TEACH NOTES! If you are unable to teach
            yourself your music, I will make a part tape at the lesson in which the piece is assigned. It is your responsibility to learn
            assigned pieces outside of your lesson.

2nd week

1) corrections of notes and/or diction completed
2) begin work with phrasing and interpretation
3rd week

1) all notes and words should be learned
2) polish piece and memorize

EXPECTATIONS

Since some studio members will begin this course with a higher skill level and more experience than others, the ability to sing well is not by itself a necessity for, or an assurance of, a good grade. The ability and willingness to take the skills already possessed and work to add to and improve them will be the foundation of the grade received. These will be the main factors in grade determination:

BE AGGRESSIVE!

TAKE CHANCES!

BE WILLING TO EXPERIMENT WITH YOUR VOICE AND ABILITIES!

1) Lesson attitude - demonstration of practice and thought about things discussed and assigned in weekly lessons; eagerness to learn music and initiative shown in working with instructor to choose literature and solve problems, all required materials brought to each and every lesson

2) Attendance

a) general - According to the LSMSA attendance policy, failure to attend a lesson will be reported on the attendance report.
            Whether or not an absence is excused will be determined by the administration and/or the school nurse, not the instructor.
            If you know in advance that you will be missing a lesson, please get excused officially with the yellow form. An unexcused
            absence will not be rescheduled and will result in an F for that lesson’s grade. Two unexcused absences will result in the
            semester grade earned being dropped one letter grade. If you wake up sick, and are excused from classes for the day by
            the nurse, I would appreciate a phone call letting me know that you will miss your lesson so that I can plan an efficient way
            to use that time. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to arrange a make up lesson following an
            excused absence

b) lessons – Since “you are your instrument,” it is your responsibility in this class to keep yourself healthy and in working order.
            You are expected to dress appropriately for the weather. If it is cold, (below 55) I expect to see shoes and socks on your
            feet, long pants or skirts, long sleeves, a warm coat, and a scarf around your neck. This also means getting enough sleep,
            eating properly, managing your time wisely, and avoiding procrastination so as to reduce unnecessary stress. If you
            become sick as a result of carelessness or personal abuse, and are unable to sing, you will receive an unexcused absence
            from your lesson.
Since a large part of the grade is based on lesson attitude and progress, a high number of absences, even though due to illness,
            may have an adverse affect on your grade. Lessons missed by the instructor due to illness or adjudication commitments
            etc., will be made up. The instructor reserves the right to cancel the lesson without a make up and assign a grade of “f” if
            the student has not completed translation work or practiced.
c) recitals - Attendance at any recital in which an LSMSA voice student or faculty member (of any discipline) performs will be
            required. All voice students are encouraged to attend as many other performances at LSMSA and NSU as possible with
            special emphasis on any NSU vocal events. Check the events board outside my office for notification of these events. It is
            the responsibility of each student to check in with the instructor to record your attendance at these events!!
d) studio class - All MAJOR VOICE students will be required to attend a weekly studio class (time and place TBA). Minor voice
            students are invited and encouraged to attend the class as topics of value to all voice students will be discussed.

3) Recital critiques

     three vocal events (in which you are not a participant) attended throughout the semester will need to be critiqued and written up.
            These reports should be one page each, and use appropriate vocal terminology. Vocal events that will qualify for this
            requirement: voice recitals of LSMSA or NSU students and/or faculty, or any other opera production vocal recital, or
            musical theater production attended. Critiques must be handed in within one week of the date of the performance attended.

4) Performances

a) jury - The final exam for this class will be a jury - a performance of the literature studied over the semester in front of a panel of
            adjudicators. Minor voice students will be required to perform two pieces from memory. Major voice students will perform
            three pieces, also from memory.
            1.) Each jury will serve as an application for approval to continue private study. Students not making sufficient efforts will
                        be dropped from Major voice to minor voice or dropped from the program.
            2.) The fall semester jury of a Major study student will serve as an application for permission to do a senior recital during
                        the spring semester. Students having given a successful senior recital may receive an exemption from their jury
                        performance for that semester.
b) recitals - Major voice students will be required to perform on both student recitals each semester, and present a senior recital
            during the final semester of study. Each of these performances will be graded. Failure to adhere to the recital preparation
            schedule will result in your recital being cancelled, and your failing the course. Minor voice students will perform at the
            discretion of the instructor.

PRACTICE

Daily practice outside the lesson is required to become a proficient vocalist (and to make the progress that will be the main foundation for your grade). Practice sessions should take place outside of time spent in Chorale or Encore and happen six days a week for the following time guides:

            Major voice students are expected to practice at least 45 minutes to an hour per day.
            Minor voice students are expected to practice at least 30 minutes to an hour per day.
            All vocal students are required to warm-up for a least 15 minutes per day.
            All vocal students are encouraged to rest or sing very little one day a week.
Students are encouraged to find a collaborative pianist who can be at your weekly lesson to play your accompaniments and/or can work with you during the week. (Dr. Jones is not to be asked to do this.)

CHOOSE YOUR GRADE

A - positive enthusiastic lesson attitude; arrives each week with all course materials ready, assignments completed; demonstrates
progress on the concepts being studied; all literature learned and jury pieces memorized; complete and well done
notebook; attends all required recitals plus extra vocal performances

B - lackadaisical lesson attitude; course materials not present at each lesson; assignments late and/or incomplete; lack of
            progress due to failure to practice; notes not learned in assigned literature; poor performance on jury due to lack of
            preparation; disorganized, illegible, late, or incomplete written work; failure to attend required recitals; poor lesson
            attendance due to chronic illness or other excuses

C - poor, unenthusiastic lesson attitude; course materials not present at lessons; assignments incomplete; no progress or concern
            about lack of progress due to failure to practice; notes consistently not learned in assigned literature; poor performance at
            lessons and jury due to lack of preparation with no sense of concern over poor performance; excessively late and/or
            incomplete notebook; failure to attend required recitals; poor lesson attendance due to chronic illness or other excuses.
D - four unexcused absences(in accordance with LSMSA policy); other than that, a “C” in a music course is generally considered
            failing, so to get a “D”, you’d practically have to work at it. I don’t expect to have to give any of these out!

FINAL THOUGHTS

You must treat this course like an independent study course. I am here to provide guidance and suggestions on how to improve your use of your voice. You must take the ideas and techniques discovered during your lessons and make them work for you. This requires you to practice intelligently and on your own throughout the week. I cannot do this for you!

Reading every book on Michael Jordan and his secrets to success will not make me a great (or even good) basketball player if I don’t take that knowledge and turn it into ability through intelligent practice and hard work. I am going to hold you responsible for becoming an intelligent and diligent singer over the course of your study here.

REFERENCE SOURCES

This is a list of materials that will provide you with a good, foundation of basic information to help you complete your notebooks. It is only meant to be a starting place, I’m sure as you travel the web and the card catalogues, you will discover many more sources. Please jot down anything you find that might be of help to your colleagues and I will add them to this list.

Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians

History of Song by Denis Stevens

Music for the Voice by Sergius Kagen

The New Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians

Phonetic Readings of Songs and Arias by Berton Coffin

Ring of Words by Phillip Miller

Singers Repertoire by Berton Coffin

Word by Word Translations of Songs and Arias by Berton Coffin

WEB SITES

www.ensemble.org

www.vocalist.org

www.nats.org go to FYI section on left hand side, and click on related links

http://www.gopera.com