MUSC 142: Voice Class for Beginners
Fall 2012
CLASS VOICE FOR BEGINNERS
Musc. 142 SYLLABUS -- FALL 2012
Professor Delia Surratt
Lesson Schedule Monday
Lesson time 930 am-1.00pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This is a core introductory course in singing open to any student who wants to understand more about how the human body can make harmonious, intense sound in a natural way. This course explores the technical basis of “Belcanto” as it is understood throughout the world using the Italian musical repertory from the Art Song to Italian Pop music.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is structured in the following manner:
1) A basic understanding of the human body used as an instrument of sound.
a) the important role of the brain.
b) breathing---the human body, used for singing and speaking, is a wind instrument.
c) the mouth and tongue positions.
2) Compositions to be studiedAll music used during the course will be provided by the professor and will be exclusively Italian.
a) Art songs to be studied from the following albums:Parisotti, “Arie Antiche”vol.1,2,3. Ed.Ricordi; Knud Jeppesen, “La Flora” Arie Antiche vol. 1,2,3. Ed. Hansen.
b)”Operetta in Europa”vol.1,2. Ed. Almanacco.
c)Operatic Arias by Monteverdi, Pergolesi. Paesiello and Alessandro Scarlatti.
In addition to the above compositions,for advanced vocal students operatic arias by Donizetti, Rossini and Verdi will be studied.
d)Popular Music—Italian Pop music from the 30’s, 40’s 50’s,60’s,70’s,80’s,and 90’s.
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3) Study Method
The course also offers a methodic way to study vocal music:
a) The text---Translation, Italian diction for singing and an introduction to the “Vaccai “method of word division.
b) Physical coordination---Feeling how the body can make sound using the chosen pieces of music to employ the technical notions pointed out during the lessons.
c) Italian music---Part of the full cultural immersion at the Rome Center, the Italian language is perfect for singing because of its many vowels. The music will be chosen keeping in mind the student’s personal goals and repertory preferences.
4)Advanced voice students----If the student is advanced in vocal study, the art of coloratura and embellishments will be introduced.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
a) Attendance is fundamental. No more than one unexcused absence will be permitted. Each additional absence will incur a 5% drop in the final grade.
b) Homework: home reviewing of the papers that the professor distributes in class; listening assignments suggested by the professor which will include attendance at both one performance of an opera and one vocal recital.
c) Healthy vocal cords---which means that the student has a natural voice that hasn’t been misuse to the point of having nodes on the vocal cords.
GRADING
The students will be judged by the following criterion: Attendance, homework assigned, and most important of all, at midterm and for the final exam the students will be asked to perform a song or duet learned during the course in which they will apply the technical notions learned during the course.
The student’s progress will be judged keeping in mind the initial vocal state, since this is for the majority of the students an introductory course.
PERCENTAGE POINTS IN GRADING
a) 30%participation
b) 15%homework
c) 20%midterm exam
d) 35% final exam
FALL SCHEDULE OF CLASS THEMES
Sept. 3 Introduction to the Art of Singing
a)the human body as an instrument of sound.
b)an audition of each student’s basic singing voice.
Sept.10 Breathing---the fundamental basis for sound
a)coordination of this natural function under the guidance of the professor using song.
Sept 17 The important role of the brain
a)checking the breathing with the sound production of each student.
b)the importance of distance perception in making intense sound.
c)the students use these notions singing an art song under the guidance of the professor
Sept.24 How to study vocal music
a)the Vaccai method of word division
b)student singing using the notions explored during the previous lessons
Oct. 1 The positions of the mouth and tongue.
a)mouth openings that change with the various areas of the vocal range.
b)the importance of a relaxed tongue
c)student singing exploring these technical notions.
Oct. 8 Rehearsal and midterm exam
Oct 15 Student singing-- reviewing the coordination of the technical notions explored in the previous lessons using new repertory.
(Italian pop songs,operetta, opera arias ecc)
Oct.29 From Oct 29 until Dec.10--Student singing reviewing the coordination of the technical notions explored in the previous lessons under the guidance of the professor
Dec 10 Rehearsal and final exam