MUS 315 Vocal Pedagogy  

 

 I. Course Information 

This course addresses the physiology and technique of singing philosophies and methods.  Non-classical singing technique will also be addressed. 

Prerequisites:  One year of private study.

Credit hours:  2

 

 II. Instructor Information:

Deirdre Francis, instructor

Anderson College, Rainey Fine Arts Center  115

Phone:  231:2001  Office Hours:  as posted

E-mail:  dfrancis@ac.edu

 

 III. Course Objectives

to gain an understanding of the physiology of the voice and how the function of the voice relates to teaching singing

to develop a personal philosophy about teaching singing

to learn the standard interdisciplinary terminology used in the voice profession

to be able to diagnose vocal faults and determine ways to correct them

to understand the importance of proper vocal hygiene and how vocal hygiene affects the voice positively and negatively

to learn how to select repertoire for singers

to gain an understanding of teaching through teaching project

to learn methods of teaching both classical and music theater singing

 

 IV. Methods of Assessing Achievement of Learning Objectives

 

       Students will take exams on the written materials and lectures.  Students will be graded for their teaching project.  Students will be graded on their in-class demonstrations.

 

 V. Grading Policies:

Homework Assignments   10%

Tests              20%

Lesson Observations     10%

Rehearsal Observations    10%

Teaching Project       25%

Final Exam          25%

                100%

 

 VI. Content Outline    

       The physiology of vocal function will be covered, specifically noting common faults and solutions.  The psychology of teaching analyzed, current research discussed, appropriate repertoire reviewed.  The student will have opportunities to apply information and acquired skills both in class demonstrations and in his teaching project.

 

 VII. Methods of Instruction

       The instructor will introduce material, students will read assignments from textbook and supplementary sources, and the classroom will be a place of open discussion, debate and application.

 

 VIII. Assignments and Course Calendar ( see attached for daily calendar)

Organization of Class Notebook

Table of Contents (Must have dividers with tabs

Sections of Notebook:

Class Notes

Exercises, Vocalises

Tests

Handouts

My Philosophy of Voice Teaching

List of References and Resources

Beginning Repertoire, Basic Repertoire

Observations of Choral Rehearsals

Observations of Voice Lessons

Teaching Project

 

 Teaching Project:  Students will be assigned a volunteer singer.  The student will teach one lesson in front of the class, another outside of class, and one more final lesson in front of the class.  The students is to prepare an “First Lesson” plan, and a plan for each subsequent lesson.  The student is to also document what transpired in each lesson as well as an analysis of the singer’s needs, and a diagnosis for each.  The following information should be included: vocalises, non-vocal exercises, what was accomplished at each lesson (or not accomplished), assignments for next lesson, problems that were encountered and how the problems were resolved, repertoire performed in the lesson( including why that repertoire was selected), and other pertinent information.  This document should be very detailed.   Students will present this project to the class.

 

 Lesson Observations:  Each student is to observe 3 voice lessons by three different teachers and three different levels (child, if possible, junior high, high school, college, adult) and submit the observations for grading.  The teacher you observe must be approved by the instructor.  The teacher must not be someone you observed