Syllabus

MU 306 Group Vocal Technique

Spring 2016

Dr. David Harris

Class Description
A survey of helpful methods of teaching vocal technique in the choral rehearsal, students will learn how to develop beautiful group singing (“bel canto”) by knowing how to apply appropriate exercises to particular vocal problems: breathing, support, diaphragm activity, resonance, range extension, register consistency, vowel modification, etc. The class will function as a workshop in which students will develop their rehearsal/teaching skills in front of the rest of the class.

General Objectives
[General Objectives 1-7 are systematically progressive]

1. The student will know vital areas of vocal technique that should be addressed through the teaching of vocal technique exercises.

2. The student will demonstrate the ability to teach pre-existing vocal technique exercises to groups of vocalists.

3. The student will listen to groups of vocalists sing the pre-existing vocal technique exercises.

4. The student will recognize from listening to groups of vocalists areas of vocal technical concern.

5. The student will create solutions for groups of vocalists in areas of vocal technical concern.

6. The student will write their own vocal technique exercises for groups of vocalists based upon their areas of vocal technical concern.

7. The student will appreciate the vocal pedagogical progress made
by groups of vocalists.

8. The student will speak publicly, knowledgably, clearly, and affectionately.

9. The student will pray publicly, knowledgably, clearly, and affectionately.

Specific Objectives
[The General Objectives have been cross-referenced with the Specific Objectives]

1. The student will read read primary texts on the subject of Group Vocal Technique. [GO #1]

2. The student will remember what he has read from primary texts on the subject of Group Vocal Technique. [Testing] [GO #1]

3. The student will teach [by singing and public speaking] vocal technique exercises. [Weekly public demonstration] [GO #2]

4. The student will verbalize what they are hearing from the world around them. [Group discussion] [GO #3]

5. The student will tell groups of vocalists what they are hearing. [weekly public demonstration]. [GO #4]

6. The student will state solutions for the vocal pedagogical concerns they are hearing. [Weekly public demonstration/knowledge gained from the reading].
[GO #5]

7. The student will blog [five times] an original kinetic exercise based upon the observation of life-behaviors apart from the choral rehearsal. [GO #6]

8. The student will praise groups of singers for specific observable progress made by groups of vocalists. [GO #7]

9. The student will interact with the professor on public speaking skills combining knowledge, clarity, and affection. [GO #8]

10. The student will recite prayers from The Valley of Vision. [GO #9]

Course Textbooks

Haasemann, Frauke and James Jordan. Group Vocal Technique.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina: Hinshaw Music, Inc., 1991.

Course Requirements
1. Weekly Quizzes ½

2. Student Teaching 1/2 (Technique cards and life relaxation exercises).