Duke Ellington School of the Arts Music Department Course Syllabus Course: Vocal Techniques 1-4 Credit: One Carnegie Unit each year Course Description Vocal Techniques is an ongoing (three or four year) course of study that develops the fundamentals of good singing through group voice classes, individual sessions as available, master classes as available and recital performances. Techniques of study include exercises that develop singing skills, repertoire in several languages and formal and informal performances. It is an essential course for every vocal major each year, and a yearly requirement for graduation in Vocal Music from The Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Content Standards Six DCPS Content Standards are basic to the core skills, concepts and knowledge for vocal techniques courses: Students Sing Alone and with Others, a Varied Repertoire of Music Representing Diverse Genres, Styles and Cultures Students Read, Notate, and Interpret Notational Symbols for Rhythmic and Melodic Patterns Students Listen, Analyze, Compare and Describe Different Forms of Music Students Critique Their Own Performance and the Performances of Others Students Identify, Investigate and Interpret Relationships among the Principles of Music and Other Disciplines Students Explore a Variety of Heritages from Music of Many Cultures Course Outline Primary to the study of vocal techniques are the fundamentals of singing posture, breath management, vowel production, consonant production, musical line, vocal flexibility and the ability to interpret music with expression and appropriate style. Each student is expected to make progress in each area of the fundamentals of singing through class participation and daily practice.
Students will learn the physiology of the voice and apply that knowledge to their technical studies. They will study vocal hygiene and professional care of the voice, diction in several languages, and they will be introduced to the International Phonetic Alphabet. Students will apply their music reading and writing skills to the study of voice. Students will memorize repertoire in the songs original languages, and they will be able to translate and interpret texts and poetry. They will learn and demonstrate appropriate stage presence, poise and discipline. Required materials Students must have a 3-Ring binder with a clear, plastic, front pocket, loose leaf paper, and a pencil. These items must be brought to class every day. Literature Requirements Vocal students are expected to purchase their own music for vocal classes. Individual teachers will assign books in class. Specific songs are assigned by individual voice teachers, but general guidelines for study are outlined below. 1st Year Each semester: 2 songs in Italian, 1 English Song or Folk Song, 1 Negro Spiritual 2nd Year Each semester: 1 song in Italian, 1 German, 1 English Song or Folk Song, 1 Negro Spiritual 3rd Year Each semester: 3 songs in 2 varying languages, 1 English Song or Folk Song, 1 Negro Spiritual 4th Year Each semester: 3 songs in 2 varying languages, 1 English Song or Folk Song, 1 Negro Spiritual, Choice piece 1 st year-italian Song book 2 nd -4 th -Italian and German 28 Italian Songs and Arias of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries; G. Schirmer The Lieder Anthology; Hal Leonard Repertoire books can be purchased from Dr. Holmes Classroom Standards Electronic device decorum All electronic devices, including cell phones and i-pods must be turned off and secured INSIDE a bag or on your person. Failure to do so may result in the collection of said device. Attendance: You are expected to attend EVERY voice class. Vocal development is a process. It takes time and in group voice we learn and grow both individually and collectively so your presence is crucial. Excused absence-given when I have received a legitimate note from a doctor, parent or teacher. Excused tardy- given when I have received a legitimate note from a doctor, parent or teacher.
Students and parents/caregivers are held accountable for reporting all absences within 48 hours of the student s return. All letters must be submitted to the Attendance Officer and submitted to course instructor. Students with chronic unexcused attendance may result in a failing grade for the course. Ten (10) or more unexcused absences per advisory, may result in the student receiving a grade of FA (failure due to absences) in that subject. Excessive absences, even for legitimate reasons, will have an adverse effect on the work presented and therefore, on the grade earned. Students who are absent for performances, field trips, and extra-curricular activities, are held accountable and responsible to secure and complete all performances, written assignments, written quizzes, and written tests according to guidelines of Attendance Policies and Procedures established in the Ellington Handbook. Late written assignments will only be accepted one day after due date, resulting in the grade being lowered by 10 points from grading score actually earned. If you know you have a personal issue of some kind that I should be aware of to better understand your predicament, please come and talk to me. Our communication is key to our success in this class. ***No student is permitted to miss or be late to class due to work or testing in another class. Should a student need to make up work in another class they must do so before school, after school or during lunch. In cases of emergency a student must speak with me first, meaning that the student reports to class first to ask permission as opposed to late arrival or absence followed by a note/excuse, which will not be excused. Dress: No hats-ladies or gentlemen When you come to voice, you come as an artist in training. You must work both inwardly and outwardly. It is not necessary to dress up for your voice lessons but I ve found that it becomes much easier to play the role when you look the part. Let this be your guide. Ladies-Keep the amount of cleavage revealed to a minimum (or you will be forced to wear one of Ms. Hollis wonderful shirts if you don t) and skirts, even for class, should not exceed mid thigh. Gentlemen- Your pants belong on your waist Gum-Just don t Notebooks Each student is to keep a vocal notebook, which must be present with them at each class. In this note book should be the syllabus (most updated), all music, any handouts that are given, all quizzes/tests/papers/reports, jury sheets, writing paper, and a pencil. Late notebooks will only be accepted one school day after the due date, resulting in the grade being lowered by 10 points from grading score actually earned.
Music In your notebook should be all repertoire information for each piece: One copy of the music-if in another language the IPA and translations should be in the music itself (IPA above the staff and the literal translation under the text) IPA sheet including literal and poetic translation A Character Sketch A Short bio of the composer Quizzes Throughout the semester there will be various quizzes; among them are the IPA, translation, piano and rhythmic quizzes. USE OF THE RESTROOM-GO BEFORE YOU COME OR AFTER YOU LEAVE Grading and Evaluation Procedures Students are graded on class work each advisory and on a jury each semester. Class work includes learning and performing classical vocal literature as outlined below. Class grades may also include written work (song translations tests, composer papers, program notes, concert reports, etc.) or any criteria the teacher deems necessary to the development of the student. Jury grades are determined by averaging the grades given by the teacher/evaluators on the faculty jury panel. The jury grade is weighed heavily for advisories 2 and 4. Students who fail the final jury may be asked to transfer from Ellington. Juries Vocal juries are a culmination of the artistic work done over the course of the semester. In your vocal jury you are expected to do the following: Recite translated text by memory for each piece. Sing an accompanied vocalise on a vowel. Sing each piece memorized with good technique and clear interpretation You will present your first piece followed by the faculty s choice(s). *Failure to recite translated text will result in an automatic F for the jury. Dress code: Your jury is comparable to an audition in which you are to present your best self. Ladies: Hair out of the face, moderate make-up (if desired but I ask for a colored lip at the least), an appropriate, conservative dress (not too much cleavage, dress to the knees please) or an appropriate blouse with a skirt (to the knees please). Please wear appropriate shoes (not too high of a heel) Gentlemen: If you do not have a low hair cut please also make sure your hair is out of the face. You may wear a suit or slacks with a shirt, tie, AND jacket with dress shoes. Simply remember that you are presenting yourself for hire as an artist.dress the part. No hats-ladies or gentlemen
Seniors Seniors are expected to give a senior recital of not more than 15 minutes during their senior year, reflecting the music they have studied while at Ellington. Those who are not able to give a recital must perform a senior jury with the same repertoire criteria. Senior Hearing Each singer is required to do a senior hearing akin to a vocal jury. In this hearing all requirements of the jury apply. At the completion of the hearing your voice teacher will decide if you are prepared to present your recital. All music must be memorized. The grades for each advisory will be based on the following areas: Participation 10% Practice and Application 50% Assessments 40% GRADING SCALE A+ 97-100 A 93-96 A- 90-92 B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82 C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C - 70-72 D+ 67-69 D 64-66 F 63 and below I Incomplete (too little work submitted) Students have until 2 weeks after issuance or report cards to submit assignments and make up individual physical assignments and exams. Failure to complete required work within the above stated time frame will result in the incomplete grade converting to an F All students are expected to treat each other and their teachers with respect and to follow the guidelines given in the Music Department Handbook and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Community Handbook. Note: Scheduled date of classes, assignments/unit, exams, course content etc are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor, and/or in the event of extenuating circumstances.