121, 240, 241 Intermediate./Advanced Voice Class Dr. Richard Chagnon
619 388-2221 ebpage: homework.sdmesa.edu/rchagnon
Office Hours: MW 1:15-2:15; TTH 11-12 noon, C216
Course Description:
Intermediate/Advanced Voice presents an in-depth study of specific elements of efficient vocal technique and performance. Topics for this semester will be breathing via body alignment, expression via movement, vocal balance and unifying the registers.
Classical/folk songs, musical theater, and a song of your choice are possible choices of styles to be studied and performed.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Perform 4 vocal solos by memory while demonstrating one of the specific focal points: efficient posture, expression and stage deportment, vocal register management, and Italian diction.
2. Use “inhibition” to improve physical alignment of posture and in turn, breath management.
3. Describe and demonstrate how physical movement can be used to determine vocal expression.
4. Demonstrate exercises for developing vocal vibrancy and dynamic control
5. Identify vocal registers, and perform exercises for the purpose of unifying them.
Outline of Topics:
1. Breath Management
a. Use of “inhibition” to improve posture and efficient breathing for singing
b. Exercises for inhibiting
2. Expression via movement
a. Read Eloise Ristad’s A Soprano on her head, Chapter 3, “Shall we dance?”
b. Using physical movement to explore the expressive possibilities of the voice
3. “Vocal Balance”
a. Creating vibrancy, vibrato.
b. Improving dynamic control
4. Unifying registers
a. Defining vocal registers
b. Exercises for unifying vocal registers
5. Performance of vocal solos
Application of singing techniques to the performance of a song
Method of Evaluation:
1. 60%- Performance of 4 songs: Sing songs by memory
2. 25% - 4 Quizzes:
3. 15% - Class participation: Prepared to sing your song for class using music
Every 4 weeks, you will take a quiz and sing a song. You need a minimum of 70% correct on your quiz in order to receive credit for singing your song. If you do not pass the quiz with a 70% or better, you will have one opportunity to retake it. If you score 70% or better the second time, you will receive credit for singing your song. However, you will only receive a 70 for that quiz grade. If you do not pass the quiz a second time with a 70% or better, you will receive a grade of “50/100” for your song.
The final grade in this class will be affected by active participation, including attendance, as follows: Two unexcused absences beyond the last drop date will lower your grade 10%. Two tardies are equivalent to an absence.
Attendance
It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which he/she is no longer attending (for on campus classes).
It is the instructor’s discretion to withdraw a student after the add/drop deadlinedue to excessive absences.
Method of Instruction:
Lecture
Demonstration of vocal technique by the instructor or guest artist.
Use of video to record and monitor student progress.
Working with students individually.
Practice:30 minutes of vocalizing/ 5 days a week outside the classroom is required to improve
your singing. Practice rooms are in the C100 and C200 buildings. Practice rooms are unlocked M-F 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m.
.
Method of Instruction:
Lecture
Demonstration of vocal technique by the instructor or guest artist.
Use of video and recording to monitor student progress.
Working with students individually.
Practice:30 minutes of vocalizing/ 5 days a week outside the classroom is required to improveyour singing.
Practice rooms are in the C100 and C200 buildings. Practice rooms are unlocked M-F 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m.
Texts and Supplies:
Textbook - CLASSICAL CONTEST SOLOS
Tape recorder, blank audio-cassettes, blank videotape
Quiz and Performance Schedule
I. 1/26 – 2/18Breathing via body
Quiz – 2/9
Performance by memory of one of the following songs2/18
Sop I attempt from love’s sickness
Alto I was a lover and his lass
TenorO mistress mine
BassGive a man a horse
II. 2/23 – 3/17Expression via movement
Quiz – 3/8(Soprano on her head, Chapter 3: Shall we dance?)
Performance by memory of Song of your choice 3/17
III. 3/22 – 4/21Vocal Balance
Quiz – 4/12
Performance by memory of one of the following songs4/21
Sop Flow my tears
Alto If music be the food of love
TenorTake, o take those lips away
BassNow sleeps the crimson petal
IV. 4/26 – 5/19 Unifying the register
Quiz – 5/10
Performance by memory of one of the following songs5/19
Sop Weep you no more
Alto Love’s philosophy
TenorHey, ho the wind and the rain
BassWeep you no more