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MUSI 1183 – Voice Class I
Credit Hours: 1
Spring Semester 2007
Website: www.utpb.edu/music/index.html

Prerequisites: none
Location of class: MUSH building, Rehearsal Hall
Time: Thursday at 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Instructor: Barbara Shinn
1409 Nabors Lane phone: 362-7997 FAX: 362-6466
E-mail: shinncast@aol.com
Office Hours: by appointment.

Course Description: Voice Class introduces students to the proper use and care of the vocal instrument through the workings of the voice as a sound-producing mechanism, sound-supporting mechanism and word-producing mechanism with emphasis on how it works, what are its problems, and what is the solution. The class works the technique of the vocal information through the learning and performance of songs as well as analyzing through the use of class performance. A class repertoire is selected which can be used later in teaching younger students.

Selected Learning Materials:
The Voice Institute of West Texas, 2001 Text Information booklet and film
P.O. Box 8058, ACU Station, Abilene, Texas

Alan Greene 1976 The New Voice Chappell & Co
4 forms and a no. 2 pencil for review charts, midterm and final exams

Goals: The students will:

1. master a common vocabulary for discussion of vocal production parts
2. develop skills in the use of support of the vocal instrument
3. develop skills in the use of words through the vocal instrument
4. use of correct singing posture as it relates to the voice
5. perform songs alone or in small groups demonstrating the use of word production and all the parts of the vocal production (posture, breathing, jaw, relaxation)
6. work a repertoire that may later be used in their own teaching
7. Each student will demonstrate learned vocal techniques by singing for the class three times during the semester (solo for students majoring in education and/or music education, group of 2/3 for other concentrations)

Evaluation of Learning:
Formative Assessments:
10% Attendance and class participation
CB Turning in attendance slips (1 per class section)
Summative Assessments:
5% Matching Test from The Voice Institute booklet (due class end Sept 7)
5% True False Test from The Voice Institute booklet (due Sept. 21)
5% Perform before class by memory in groups of two or three at least one piece from those studied in class (Sept 28).
15% Perform solo one of the pieces worked in class demonstrating as many of the technical aspects of performance we've discussed to this time (Oct 12)
7% Write a review of the performances above with positive statements of those technical production elements used as well as positive help information on those production elements which can be improved. (turn in at beginning of class Oct 19)
10% Mid-Term written exam (Oct 19)
7% Word identification paper on parts of the tongue and placement of the tongue in the formation of consonants and sounds on the basic shapes (due Nov 9)
5% Perform for class in groups of two (singing partners to be drawn) any of the songs already covered in class (Nov 16)
15% Perform before the class by memory any two songs worked in class since Oct 12 (Nov 30)
18% Write a review of the performance as above giving special information on vowel and consonant production (due Dec 7 beginning of class) as part of Final Written and Singing Exam Dec 7th regular 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Format for Papers:
Formative Assessments:
Book, CD titles, Opera, Oratorio and Musical Titles should be underlined
Song titles should be in quotes
Student work will be graded and discussed as soon as possible
When student opinions pertaining to performances are requested in writing that individual opinion will be honored when accompanied with information from the study material as substantiation

Policy on Late Work:
All work is due the date set below or as announced in class. Late work is deducted 5% per day the assignment is late. "Late" is defined as beginning an hour after class is dismissed. If an absence is eminent, please advise Mrs. Shinn (shinncast@aol.com) well in advance with a brief email stating the date and reason for the absence. Any work or exam scheduled for that day should be completed in advance or in the case of a class performance, the week following at beginning of class.

Class Music and Information Handouts:
Much of the voice class work will be accomplished with informational hand outs, vocal warm-up sheets, music sheets and some song sheets. The student is responsible for having all this information in his/her possession at each class meeting for referance as well as singing and performing during the class. The hand outs should be kept in a notebook or class folder.

Attendance Sheets:
Keeping record of attendance is a necessary fact of class. Each student will be responsible for recording attendance by picking up the slip of paper at the room entrance, sign on the line, record the date and record the music for the day provided by Mrs. Shinn. At the end of class the student is responsible for handing the completed attendance paper to Mrs. Shinn.
Calendar
Week 1: introduction of class members and class information to be covered
Week 2: begin study of vocal instrument through "The Voice Institute of West Texas"
Week 3: study and discuss names, terms and diagrams of the voice
Week 4: begin voice warm-up exercises and music to be learned and work breath control
Week 5: sing required songs in small groups, work Matching Test on voice parts
Week 6: work and turn in True/False Test on vocal terms and sing through in groups of two all four songs assigned attention to tension freedom and tone quality
Week 7: study and execute performance posture stage presence as well as vowel production and review all songs to be sung for mid term exams as well as parts of the voice
Week 8: discuss warm-up exercises, reasons for different uses, execute exercises and review for exam
Week 9: mid-Term Exam written over parts of the voice, spelling terms and sing one piece of choice for class with class members choosing any two performances to review using performance techniques as criteria (stage presence, breath control, freedom from tension, vowels and tone quality)
Week 10: begin study from The New Voice Part One The Sound - Supporting Mechanism, The Sound - Producing Mechanism Exercises 1 through 10, vocal work on even scale
Week 11: introduce music to be learned "teaching tunes" begin exercises 11 through 29, work exercises
Week 12: practice music to be learned read and discuss pages 69 through 80 work exercises
Week 13: exercises on crescendo and decrescendo pages 84 - 88 Exercises 39 - 42, sing pieces
Week 14: study The Word Producing Mechanism and Conclusion practice pieces to be sung in groups
Week 15: finish and discuss study book and all voice production for final exam as well as pieces to be performed
Final Exam The New Voice and performance of the piece of your choice
Thurs., December 7, 2:00 - 4:00 MUSH Building

Grading:
99-100% A+ 77-79% C+
92- 98% A 72-76% C
90- 91% A- 70-71% C-
87- 89% B+ 60-69% D
82- 86% B below 60% F
80- 81% B- Incompletes are highly discouraged and rare.

Class Attendance: You are allowed three sick days for semester. For each day taken in excess of three, your grade will be lowered by one grade increment. Documentation may be required for absences. Class will begin on time so make every effort to be there at the assigned hour. At the end of the semester 5% may be added to any assigned and graded exercise or paper for each unused sick leave days.

Mrs. Shinn's Philosophy of Voice Teaching and Musical Performance
The voice is the only instrument that must be built by its owner. A singer is "the maker and player of the voice". Only after the instrument is structured can you begin to play it. The voice is the only instrument whose structure is mostly hidden in the human body. The only parts of the voice that can be seen on the outside are the Adam's apple protruding from the throat, the jaw, the teeth and part of the tongue. Mastering the voice is so caught up in the person that the only way to really get the best out of it is to study its parts as you would other instruments. The voice is the only instrument that contains within itself not one, but three separate mechanisms: the sound-supporting mechansism, the sound producing mechanism and the word producing mechanism.

Mastering the skills needed in voice training can take a life time. The work begun through the practice of singing and continued and elevated in the college learning level produces habits needed not only in singing but in achieving goals set for a successful life in all endeavors. Testing and Grades are not the real object of learning as it relates to vocal production. The sense of achievement through learning and sharing talent is your goal. This goal can only be achieved with regular class attendance and practice.

Civility Statement: Because this is a participatory and performing community, if students are to achieve their potential, people who disrupt the community by their words or actions (rude, sarcastic, obscene, disrespectful speech, or disruptive behavior) will be removed from the class. In order to achieve our educational goals and to encourage the performance, expression understanding, and creation of a variety of ideas and opinions, respect must be shown to everyone. In order to respect the listening environment, please do not use cellular phones in the classroom. Simply turn them off to eliminate distraction.

Food and Beverage Policy: Please feel free to bring water to class. Any sealable container is welcome. Unacceptable containers include soda cans, cups and drink cups. Since you will be expected to sing, please refrain from other forms of food or gum. Some foods can clog up the throat and gum can clog up the word producing mechanism.

Class Vocal Review: Since performance is an important function of this class, a respect of our vocal differences is expected at all times. You will be called upon at times to evaluate (through your learned knowledge of vocal technique) and comment on performances of fellow students. All vocal renditions, opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. You are encouraged to comment, question or critique an idea but you are not to attack an individual.

Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university. The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. Any suspicion of academic dishonesty will be reported and investigated. A student who engages in scholastic dishonesty that includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and collusion will receive an “F” for the course. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. For complete information on UTPB student conduct and discipline procedures consult the university’s handbook at: http://www.utpb.edu/utpb_student/students/studentguide/sg3_index_frame.htm#StudentWelfareandDiscipline. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, collaboration, or Internet applications, consult Dr. Keast. Assignments generated by downloading or printing from the Internet are considered under the auspices of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.

Americans with Disabilities Act: Students with disabilities that are admitted to The University of Texas of the Permian Basin may request reasonable accommodations and classroom modifications as addressed under Section 504/ADA regulations. Students needing assistance because of a disability must contact Dr. Efren D. Castro, Director, Programs Assisting Student Study (PASS) Office, 552-2630, no later than 30 days prior to the start of the semester.

The definition of a disability for purposes of ADA is that she or he (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantively limits a major life activity, (2) has a record of such an impairment or, (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

Students who have provided all documentation and are eligible for services will be advised of their rights regarding academic accommodations and responsibilities. The University is not obligated to pay for diagnosis or evaluations nor is it obligated to pay for personal services or auxiliary aids.

If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with the instructor, or if you need special arrangements in the case the building must be evacuated, please inform Mrs. Shinn immediately. It is best to contact Mrs. Shinn after class.

Let this syllabus serve as an outline to the objectives and materials that we will cover.
This syllabus is subject to revision at the discretion of Mrs. Shinn.