Applied Voice Lessons

Common Syllabus

Fall, 2011

 

Web Site:  http://paws.wcu.edu/mkbauer/index.html

 

Dr. Mary Kay Bauer               Dr. William Martin                  Dr.Michael Lancaster

Room 462 Coulter                   Room 463 Coulter                   Room 466 Coulter

227-3274                                 227-3955                                 227-3259

mkbauer@email.wcu.edu        wmartin@email.wcu.edu         malancaster@email.wcu.edu

 

Mr. Bradley Martin                 Dr. Andrew Adams                Ms. Kristen Hedberg

Room 464 Coulter                   Room 469 Coulter                  Room 470 Coulter               

227-3276                                 227-3953                                828-450-6136  (cell)  

martinb@email.wcu.edu          aadams@email.wcu.edu          kristen.ashevillelyric@gmail.com

Mr. Dominic Aquilino                          Ms. Anne Rhymer Schwabland

Room 257 Coulter                                pianist

646-489-5271 (cell)                             863-529-9671

dmaquilino@gmail.com          towerunderconstruction@gmail.com

I.  Objectives:

 

á      To develop and encourage an overall love of singing and the singerÕs art;

á      To improve healthy vocal technique through:

1. a pedagogical understanding of the vocal apparatus;

2. a systematic exercise regimen;

3. appropriate, yet challenging repertory.

á      To demonstrate phonetic accuracy in up to four languages depending upon your degree program;

á      To expressively communicate text and music in the

      assigned repertory with appropriate stylistic choices;

á      To expand repertory through individual study and exposure to the literature of vocal students;

á      To broaden knowledge and appreciation of vocal artistry through supplementary readings and listening assignments and by attending on campus vocal events as well as occasional off campus concerts;

á      To prepare and perform a successful jury and/or any other auditions or engagements.

 

II.  How will your grade be determined?

            The grade for your voice lessons will be determined by your work in the following areas:

  1. Jury:  A jury is an adjudicated performance before the voice faculty.  Students performing a Junior recital or senior recital/hearing are not required to perform a jury in that semester.  Sophomore Exams are performed during jury times, unless special permission is granted from the faculty.  The dates for this semesterÕs juries are:  Monday, December 13 and Tuesday December 14.  (The exact jury times on those days will be set later in the semester, based on the number of students needing to sing juries.  Please set aside these general jury times in your calendars.)  I
  2. Lessons:  Voice majors - MM, BMED, BSED, BMMT, BMApplied, BA (2 credit lessons) - receive one private 50 minute lesson once a week.  BFA Musical Theatre majors (1 credit lessons) receive 1 private 30 minute lesson once a week.  (See the link, What number to take when? for further information)  All voice teachers will be grading each  student on every lesson and using these grades to help determine the final score of each student.  Students are required to be:  1.  On time for lessons, 2.  prepared for lessons, 3.  warmed up for lessons.  Faculty have the option to deny a student a lesson for lack of preparation. 
  3. Performances:  Each student must perform publicly throughout the semester regardless of degree and track.   You may be asked to perform in the combined studio recitals, your professorÕs studio recitals or you may elect to perform in the many student recitals scheduled throughout the semester.  Performing is critical for your growth as a singer.  First semester freshmen and those students performing required degree recitals (sophomore exams, senior recitals, senior showcases, graduate recitals, etc.) may be excused from this performance requirement.  ALL performances are memorized.  You are expected to dress appropriately for ALL performances.  The number of performances is determined on an individual basis and every effort to set performance dates early will be made.  N.B.  Program notes/translations will not be provided for combined studio recitals.  Students are required to orally provide the audience with brief program notes and/or translations as part of their performance.  This must also be memorized.   Each performance will be adjucidated by your teachers.  Comments from these performances may be available to you.  In most cases, student performances will be evaluated and graded by the voice faculty.  These grades will form the basis of the performance component of the final grade.  On Wednesday, December 7, at 8 p.m. there will be an "Honors Voice Recital" which will feature the singers who consistently score high marks throughout the semester.  Consideration for scores will include: preparation, attitude, professionalism (including working with your pianist), polish and progress, etc. 
  4. Written Work:  You are required to turn in research on your assigned literature.  Use the Voice Literature Research Sheet for classical music and a Character Questionnaire for Musical Theatre Literature.   Repertoire sheets are due two weeks after the song has been assigned.  You can expect that your teacher will finish assigning songs by mid semester.  No written work will be accepted after the two week mark.
  5. Coaching:  No coaching is available this semester to any student.
  6. Attendance:  You are REQUIRED to attend your private lesson AND weekly principals classes each week.  If, for some reason, you are unable to attend either of these classes, you must let your applied professor know no later than 24 hours in advance.  It is unprofessional to not show up for a lessons.  Professors will factor such behavior into your final grade.   In addition, voice students are required to attend  other vocal performances this semester, i.e. studio recitals (other than your own), Sophomore Exams, Junior Qualifying Performances, Visiting Artists, Faculty Voice Recitals, Faculty Showcase Recitals and Music Theatre Productions.  You are also strongly encouraged to attend all Asheville Lyric Opera productions and any other regional vocal events.  See the voice calendar for specific dates.
  1. Practice:  You are required to practice a minimum of 1 hour 6 days a week.  In order for you to make satisfactory progress, you must practice, practice, practice!!!!!!!!!!!   In addition to learning songs and memorizing, commit some practice time every day to vocal muscle development/coordination/technique.  Those who are preparing a degree performance will find 1 hour is not enough time.  Make your practice time productive.  Have a goal for each hour.  Use a notebook or practice log to record thoughts, problems, questions, ideas, etc.  Bring this notebook/log to all lessons and practice sessions.
  2. Memorization:  All performances must be memorized.  All pieces must be completely memorized 2 weeks before the end of the semester.  Your professor will check memory during your lesson time during the week of:  November 28 - Dec 2.
  3. Required Materials:  In the interest of complying with copyright law, the voice faculty discourages the copying of music for lessons or performances.  The faculty encourages students to systematically build a library of vocal music.  We have required the purchase of selected vocal books each semester of the student's degree program.  (Refer to the Materials to Purchase link.)  Required music may be purchased from a wide variety of vendors.  Required Materials to Purchase

 

 

 

III.  Grading Policy:

 

Jury (average faculty grades)  

       1.  Sight reading (Optional)                 5%

       2.  Jury Performance                          20%                                               

Weekly Lesson Work                                                    

       1.  Preparation/Practice/                     15%

       2.  Attitude/Attendance                       10%

       3.  Progress                                        15%

Performances                                            10% 

Written work                                             15%

Memorization                                            10%

 

 

IV.  Additional Information:

 

Accompanying Guidelines Spring 11:  This link has fees and other information regarding accompanying for this semester.

 

Literature Matrix prior to fall 2011 :  This link explains which literature and languages are required each semester for those students who have enrolled in voice lessons prior to fall 2011.

Literature Matrix Fall 2011:  This link explains which literature and languages are required each semester for those students who have enrolled in voice lessons fall 2011 and later.

 

Materials to Purchase:  This link explains which voice books you will need to purchase each year.

 

School of Music Policy:  A passing grade in MUS 108 Aural Skills I and MUS 118 Music Theory I is required for enrollment in MUS 206 or MUS 207 (Sophomore level voice)

 

Music Theatre Policy:  A passing grade in MUS 208 Aural Skills II and MUS 218 Music Theory II is required prior to performing the Junior Qualifying Examination (JQ).

 

Voice Department Policy:  To help ensure your success in our curriculum, your music theory and aural skills grades will be carefully monitored.  Should your 5th week grade report indicate low scores, you will be required to tutor in theory and/or aural skills.  Tutoring is available readily and is free of charge. 

 

Disability Statement:    Click here for Western Carolina University's statement for students with disabilities.

 

Disclaimer:  While the four voice studios have formulated this common syllabus, individual studio requirements (such as lesson attendance, etc) are up to the discretion of your professor.

 

Singers Calendar:  Check this on line calendar frequently (weekly would be great).  Many performance dates have not yet been determined.  Stay informed and organized!!