NC

NCNYC Voice Lessons MUS 125 NA-NF

Professors: Mary Carey, Sharmi Harper, Dana Talley

Kyle Pfortmiller, Gwendolyn Bradley, Jhasoa Agosto SP 2010

Course Day and Time: TBA; instructor assigned (by Dir. of School of Music) with student and instructor schedules in consideration, as well as voice type. Voice lessons are available for all students, non-music majors and majors alike. The course gives Applied Music credits. (Monday – Friday).

Credits: 1-3 (½ hour lesson = one credit; 1 lesson hour = two credits, or three credits in the semester you do a Junior or Senior Recital.)

Office Hours: (Dana Talley) 12:00-1:00 Monday, 7:00-9:00 Tuesday, 3:00-4:30 Thursday, and by appointment: Please see my schedule, which is posted on the door of my office.

Contact information:

Dana Talley cell phone (917) 825-8697,(646) 378-6187 Office dana.talley@nyack.edu

Mary Carey cell phone (917) 568-4641 careymev@christtabernacle.org

Sharmi Harper cell phone (701) 240-7603 HCharmsetc@aol.com

Kyle Pfortmiller cell phone (347) 369-4040 Kyle.Pfortmiller@nyack.edu

Gwendolyn Bradley cell phone (914) 610-0857 gbradley.geo@yahoo.com

Jhasoa Agosto cell phone (347) 754-6078 jhas.agosto@gmail.com

Course Description: Private instruction in voice. This class will help the developing musician or interested student understand the centrality of singing to all music study, whether one is a beginner or has advanced training, to better serve the Lord in song. This course will focus on the time-tested theories of bel canto singing -- the goal of which is to produce beautiful tone, understandable words, and ease of singing.

Student Learning Goals: The purpose of this course is to increase students’ understanding, appreciation, enjoyment, and love of performing vocal music. With this in mind, upon successful completion of the course, you should be able to do the following: (Please note the Core Values of Nyack College and The School of Music at the end of this syllabus as a reference to the goals below.) Areas of concentration are:

Student Learning Goals The Student will:	Music Program Goals	Nyack Core Goals	Assignments &/or Assessments Used
1. Study vocal development / coaching	1c, 2a, 3a, 3b, 4c, 5b	1b, 2a, 3c, 4a, 5b	Weekly private lesson evaluations, jury exams, recital performance and successfully memorizing and performing assigned repertory
2. Express the words, both in meaning and in pronunciation.	1a, 2b,3b, 4a, 4d, 5a	1c, 2b, 3c, 4c, 5b	Develop a character with the techniques that we study so you can find it from the inside and outside and share it with others!
3. Sing in a relaxed an easy manner, which will not hurt the voice and will be pleasant for the listener.	1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c3a,3b, 3c, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b	1b, 2b, 3b, 3c, 4c, 5c	Learn to perform in different genres while maintaining a healthy vocal technique that follows through all the styles
4. Learn the art of musical preparation and text translation and the ability to perform music of various periods and styles from memory.	1c, 2a, 3a, 3b, 4c, 5b	1b, 2a, 3c, 4a, 5b	Learning music in a timely manner when assigned. Translate and understanding word for word all texts of songs and know the plots of the various operas and music theater pieces we study. Develop a step by step learning process for the music and recitative in written form.
5. Study stage direction, performance techniques, and communication skills	1c, 2a, 3a, 3b, 4c, 5b	1b, 2a, 3c, 4a, 5b	Recital performance, cooperative rehearsals, concert performances
6. Gain understanding by listening to others.	1a, 2b,3b, 4a, 4d, 5a	1b, 2b, 3b, 3c, 4c, 5c	Required attendance at recitals to observe and learn from others
7. Use various search systems to retrieve information in a variety of formats (IL Standard 2, 3a) – see below.	3a	2b	Visit a website related to the vocal study and print out relevant information from the websites named.

Information Literacy Requirement:

1. Visit the following websites: www.ipasource.com and www.freetranslation.com and submit both a word for word translation and diction guide for each of your songs and add these pages to your journal.

2. Visit a website, print and submit an article related to the background of the song or composer for one of your songs.

3. Visit one of the following links http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/, http://www.aria-database.com/, or http://www.songsofpeace.com/ncmcmusic/voice/mus234.htm, in addition to those above for additional information about your assigned repertory.

Outline of Classes:

Students will meet privately with their instructor and study assigned repertoire and vocal exercises. Non-music majors will be expected to improve their singing and learn the repertoire individually assigned by their teacher. These requirements have been made according to the average private student’s progress. Note that the professor may modify this requirement according to the student’s development especially in the student’s first semester

Vocal majors will be expected to meet the following requirements:

4 - 6 songs per semester, completely memorized
1-2 vocal recital performances per semester

Jury participation at end of the semester

Instrumental Majors, Interdisc., Non-Majors, and Minors

2-3 songs per semester, completely memorized
1 vocal performance encouraged but not required

Jury participation optional and required if you wish to become a vocal major

Schedule, Attendance, and Punctuality: By signing up for Applied Lessons, you agreed with the College to abide by certain guidelines, and to receive, in return, certain assurances:

You are expected to adhere to the schedule of lessons as stated at the beginning of the semester. If you miss a lesson for any reason (including illness) without notifying the teacher 12 hours in advance, the lesson is not made up. If you cannot be present at a lesson you must call your teacher directly 12 hours before the scheduled time of the lesson. Do not leave a message with the School of Music office or any other instructor.

No student or instructor can change the day, time, or room assigned for their lessons without the approval of the Director of the school of Music, Dr. Sue Talley. Assignments will be posted the day before applied lessons begin on September 16.

If the teacher has excused your absence because of illness, a snow day, a field trip, etc., the teacher will then reschedule a lesson with you. The teacher must also reschedule if he or she is ill. 12 lessons are given during the semester. One Master Class, or group lesson, may be scheduled in the place of a private lesson at the teacher's discretion. "Left-over" lessons may be scheduled during finals week when necessary.

A lesson cut will result in a "0" grade. Your semester grade will be reduced after ANY unexcused absence. THERE IS A NO CUT POLICY FOR ALL APPLIED LESSONS! (1/2 letter grade for each absence, after three cuts an F will be given, 10 minutes late for a 1/2 hour lesson is 1/2 a cut and 20 minutes late for an hour lesson is 1/2 a cut)). Attendance records for applied music will be part of the student’s permanent file.

No make-up lessons are to be scheduled by the instructor without informing Autumn Nova, to ascertain available space. The instructor may offer a master class in lieu of a make-up lesson. Other regulations are found in the student handbook which is both on line and available in the music office.

Do not answer phone calls or text messages during class. ALL cell phones are to be kept off for vocal lessons. If you are a health care worker, policeman, fireman, or other profession that requires that a cell phone be on, please inform the professor at the beginning of the semester.

Required Notebook:

All students will be required to keep a written notebook or journal which will be modified by each professor with the individual student, and their major’s requirements, year in school, and experience in mind. The individual or custom designed format will be discussed along with the syllabus at the first lesson. Each journal will be a three ring binder and will include some or all of the following sections and must be brought to all vocal lessons along with a pencil:

• This syllabus;

• School calendar; (I suggest you add your registration information as well)
• 1-2 Copies of assigned music;
• Warm up routine or assigned vocal exercises

• Short Term and Long Range Goals Summary;

• Lesson Diary including assignments for next week;
• Practice Diary;
• Composer Biography on each composer assigned;
• List and Definition of all musical terms included in pieces assigned including foreign and domestic;
• Word for Word Translations of each foreign language assigned piece;
• IPA pronunciation for all songs in a language other than English
• Final Assessment of progress made at end of each semester;
• Repertoire List, as assigned, to be presented at Juries;
• Juniors and Seniors Recital Journal;
• Other information as assigned by the professor.

This notebook should be a compilation of your work and interest in your 4 - 5 years here at Nyack College. It will provide a valuable resource when you graduate and move into graduate school or teaching.

Grading:

Music majors will be evaluated using the School of Music Handbook including repertoire guidelines partially quoted in this syllabus. Non-music majors will be evaluated on a level appropriate to their experience as singers. Lessons will include the development of a warm-up routine and solo literature specific for each student. Grades for assignments are based not only on the completion of the assignment but the quality of work produced. The higher the quality of skills and abilities demonstrated, in areas such as expression, improvement of skills, organization in practice, and reporting and observation as reflected in your journal, the higher the grade given for the semester.

Class Participation: 50%

PROMPT Attendance (weekly lessons)

Out-of-class participation: 20%

2. Practice (See A GENERAL SYLLABUS FOR MUSIC B.A. STUDENTS)

http://www.songsofpeace.com/ncmcmusic/voice/BA_syllabus.htm

3. Written notebook to be completed by all students and preparation of translations.

Learning and performing of assigned material: 30%

4. Improvement in vocal technique, including a program of vocal exercises.

5. Recital performances demonstrating proper style and musicianship skills.

6. Good diction: both pronunciation and communication with the audience.

Reporting of Grades (Nyack standard):

Repertoire will be assigned only by the instructor, depending on the professor’s assessment of each student's needs. The student is to provide his or her own sheet music for lessons, as assigned. The school library has a collection of CD-ROM’s which include much of the standard song literature. It is essential that the singing musician have his or her own music, in which notes are made individual to the singer’s needs, and which will be referenced as the student revisits the music in years to come.

This is a guide as each student will have individual needs. All repertory must be approved by the teacher. Generally, each student should try to have five or six songs memorized each semester for one hour students and 2-3 for ½ hour students. While this is not absolute, all songs learned will be listed on the jury forms, and we should try to maintain this level of scholarship. If a student consistently does not learn enough repertory they will fail their jury and be dropped as majors. Repertory will be assigned appropriate for the age and ability of the singer. If voice is the secondary instruments, or the student is a non-major, requirements are entirely up to the teacher as is recital participation. However, Education Majors are required to perform and do juries each semester and if voice is the second instrument they need perform only once a year.

Repertory Guidelines: Entering students should perform at least two contrasting compositions. To enter the four-year course in voice, the student should be able to sing with a clear sound, on pitch, with good phrasing and musical perception in clear English. The students should also demonstrate their knowledge of the rudiments of music and their ability to sight-read a simple song. To be considered for a scholarship the student must show a voice of promise in two different languages. The student should have an elementary knowledge of the piano if at all possible.

First Year: Technical requirements: proper command of legato and breathing; improved ability in diction in English and Italian, consistent sound blending throughout the registers, and an understanding of the dynamic range of the voice. Vocalizes according to the need of the student and the repertory should be contrasting in both style and tempo. At least ten new songs required, five to be sung from memory, each semester. Christian classics, especially Spirituals, 16^th century English, and Italian arias, oratorio arias, Folk Songs, contemporary art songs or Broadway arias of moderate difficulty. Individual requirements including a recommended listening list of vocal repertoire may be assigned by the teacher.

Second Year: Continuation of everything above and begin studies in coloratura technique and/or accompanied and secco recitatives and at least one Oratorio aria by Mendelssohn, Handel, Haydn or Mozart. Begin the study of German lieder; simple operatic arias; and add American repertoire, such as Copland, or Barber.

Third Year: Continuation of everything above and add a coloratura aria with a secco recitative. Study more advanced German lieder and add French art songs. More difficult operatic arias; arias from the vocal works of J.S. Bach; more difficult contemporary songs; Russian and/or Spanish songs. Junior recital.

Fourth Year: Preparation of senior recital. The recital should include the major representative works from song and opera literature. Participation in Chamber Music, Opera Workshop, or Early music ensemble is required in the senior year is suggested each year of attendance.

Vocal performance, SMB, and Music Ed. music majors are required to perform in at least one Student Recital each semester. BA and non-music majors may be invited to perform in recitals. All students also must also attend five recitals each semester.

Recital dates MUST be scheduled along with recital juries before the start of the semester. Please see your handbook and our administrative assistant, Autumn Nova, for applicable schedule of dates and requirements to make your recital a success. Junior recitals and B. A. and Music Education senior recitals are to be 10-12 songs, 30-40 minutes of music not including introductions, intermission, or breaks. Vocal Performance B.MUS. Senior recitals are to be about 20 songs, or 60-75 minutes of music. All songs must be approved by the instructor. They will:

4. Plan at least two to three selections from early or Baroque, Classical, Romantic era, and contemporary. (Three periods for Jr. Recital)

5. Additions could be either Opera, Show music, and/Sacred selections but cannot be the majority of the repertoire. Two arias maximum, for a BM candidate and 2 spirituals. Broadway selections for BM students should be reserved for encores unless they are in a classical style.

6. Represent all 4 major languages for a senior recital and 3 for a junior recital. Additions OR SUBSTITUTIONS could include Spanish, Russian, or Latin, etc.

8. All recital music must be memorized one month before the recital for a recital jury which will be 20 minutes long.

Regulations regarding accompanists:

1.) For general student recitals: The accompanist for a student recital should be given the music, and a chance to rehearse with the vocal student, one week before the performance. The accompanist may be either a competent piano major or a member of the piano faculty (except in the case of another instrumental accompaniment, such as guitar). If a voice student gives the accompanist the score on the day of the performance, or waits until the hour before the recital to rehearse for the first time with the accompanist, that student will be taken off the program and given a failing grade for that assignment.

2.) For all recitals, including junior and senior recitals, the accompanist of should be:
a.) A competent piano major who has played the selection with the vocal

          student before the voice teacher from the piano faculty, or
     b.) A current member of the piano faculty (second choice)
     c.) An outside person WHO HAS BEEN APPROVED by the vocal teacher and

the Director of the School of Music a week before a student recital or at the time of

the recital jury. All approved outside accompanists must rehearse with the student

and their teacher before the recital.

3.) Students preparing Junior or Senior Recitals will pay a fee to the accompanist for one rehearsal and the performance. The accompanist is not obligated to rehearse many times with the singer or to teach the singer the music. The recital fee is $100.

4.) The demeanor of a vocal student toward his or her accompanist should be respectful and should include acknowledging the accompanist by a gesture in their direction whenever applause is given. The accompanist should be treated as a collaborating artist. Many times, the accompaniment is not a substitute for an orchestra, but an equal part of the musical selection (as in the case of the art songs).

In addition to the information in the college catalog, all students are responsible for the requirements, regulations, and information in the NCMC Music Handbook. Please put the following link in your browser:
http://www.ncmcmusic.com/Handbook.htm

Calendar of Recital Performances: (Each vocal student must participate in one recital. Plan ahead, with your instructor, and do not wait until MAY as each recital is space available.)

Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations due to a disability is required to provide a letter of accommodation from the Office of Disabilities Support Services within the first two weeks of the beginning of classes. Any student who has a learning disability is encouraged to speak privately Professor Adelaide Pabon the 504 coordinator for Nyack College/New York City.

Go to "Resources"(purple tab) and click "Article Resources (Alpha)." Then you will see the alphabetical list of 91 databases. Here are some examples: (Passwords given separately)

Dram (Music Database) - Recordings and essays from the American and international repertoires (over 1500 CD's and 9800 compositions)

Grove Music Online - Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Dictionary of Opera and Dictionary of Jazz (full-text)

Naxos Music Library - 256,000+ tracks of classical, jazz, world, folk, Chinese, and contemporary music with accompanying text notes on works, composers, and artists.

Piano Street -More than 10,000 pages of classical piano music to view or print

Reference materials, recordings, repertoire, and even a listening center may be found at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza (212) 870-1630

Any person residing or attending college in New York may request and receive a free public library card. If you use their search engine, LEO, you can ask up to 10 scores, 10 books, and 10 CD’s or DVD’s be delivered to YOUR local library in New York City. It is very hard to find material if you are not used to the Dewey system. If you use Leo they will find everything for you. Warning: It may take several weeks before material is delivered so plan ahead!

• http://gasilvis.net/ Link for solo and choral music practice

1. To graduate students who have acquired and developed the academic skills of reading carefully and critically, communicating clearly and cogently, thinking analytically and synthetically.

1a. By designing into the music history sequence a comprehensive overview of western music and related religious, philosophical, political, scientific, and social developments.

1b. By designing into music literature courses the appreciation and understanding of non-Western music of the church, including research components and the analysis of contemporary phenomena in these areas.

1c. By fostering the aural development, kinesthetic processes, and aesthetic sensitivities which form the basis of professional caliber musicianship.

2. To graduate students who have achieved a broad understanding of human learning.

2a. By fostering in our students the skills and motivation for life-long learning and participation in music.

2b. By encouraging all students to value the creativity of the human spirit and the aesthetic dimension of life.

2c. By promoting involvement in campus life through participation in aesthetic and cultural activities.

3. To graduate students who have achieved an in-depth understanding of one field of study by meeting the requirements of at least one major

3a. By training our students to acquire the theoretical and practical skills required by music educators, church musicians, performers and composers.

3b. By fostering a broad knowledge of music literature, both sacred and secular, through study and performance.

3c. By employing a competency-based approach for course design and requirements throughout the program while encouraging artistic creativity.

3d. By cultivating career programs and awareness in the various music and music- related fields.

3e. By utilizing the cultural resources of various metropolitan New York area institutions.

4. To graduate students who have achieved a basic Christian worldview understanding which can serve as a basis for interpreting experience

4a. By providing experiences in Christian ministry involving music in the Christian and Missionary Alliance and other churches.

4b. By promoting a sense of Christian love and caring throughout the endeavors of the School of Music.

4c. By building the self-esteem of the individual through musical achievement in the Christian context.

4d. By fostering a respect for diverse forms of music, worship, and culture.

5a. By promoting in our students an appreciation for the opportunities and responsibilities which exist in a democratic society concerning the arts.

5b. By encouraging involvement in civic affairs through music and the allied arts

1a. Students will recognize the value of economic, political, social, and systems as tools for positive change.

1b. Students will apply a foundation of compassion and integrity to their chosen field of study.

1c. Students will demonstrate servant leadership as they engage the community and marketplace.

2- Academically Excellent

2a. Students will attain an educational foundation in arts and humanities, science, mathematics, and social science.

2b. Students will be able to communicate in oral and written form and demonstrate information and technological literacy.

2c. Students will demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills across the curriculum.

3a. Students will understand the interplay of historical, cultural, and geographical realities of the global community.

3b. Students will value diversity through an understanding of worldviews, languages, cultures, and peoples.

4a. Students will understand the heritages and traditions of diverse peoples and cultures.

4b. Students will appreciate the need to promote biblical principles of social equality.

4c. Students will engage in interactions and relationships with those from diverse backgrounds.

5a. Students will grow in their faith as they pursue God’s purpose in their lives.

5b. Students will integrate their Christian worldview into learning and service.

5c. Students will apply discipleship principles to assist in the personal transformation of others.