MUS 1531, Section 001: Class Voice
Fall Semester 2006, Fridays 9:00-9:50 AM, ARTS Building 2.03.18
Instructor: Associate Professor John Nix, M.M., M.M.E., Certif. in Vocology
Office: ARTS 3.03.04 / Phone: 458-5678 / Office Hours: as posted or by appointment
E-mail: john.nix@utsa.edu
Text: Clifton Ware: Adventures in Singing, 3rd ed.(new $55, used $41.25)
Course description: This course is for students with little or no previous individual voice training. It offers the opportunity for the development of fundamentals of voice technique through in-class performances of suitable songs. This course may be repeated for credit.
Class Policies and Grading
1. Attendance/Participation (30%) You will be allowed 1 absence during the semester. Each absence after one will result in a half-letter grade lowering of your final grade. Three tardies will also equal one absence. It should go without saying that if you are not in class, you cannot participate. I take roll very carefully each day. Class starts on time.
2. Songs (30%) A minimum of two songs must be performed from memory during the semester. The first of these will be performed in class by midterm. The final song will be performed at the final singing jury. One song (15%) must be a folk song or an art song. The other song (15%) may be a musical theater piece, art song, folk song, or popular song. It will be performed on our designated exam day. You are welcome to bring in songs not found in our textbook, but please check with me first. We will spend a good deal of time in class working on your songs, in a master class fashion. We will address a number of aspects of performing as a singer - how to warm up properly, how to learn music, how to fix problem spots, how to memorize music, and how to be an expressive, confident performer. In addition to the required pieces, you may also bring in other vocal music you are working on: music from a choir, if you are involved in one; songs you are singing at your church; music that you are singing in a band, etc; I will be happy to help you as time permits. As always, music to meet the requirements of the class must come first.
3. Recital attendance and evaluations (10%) All students are required to attend two vocal or choral recitals and critique them. I will give you a guideline for your comments. Concert programs and the critiques must be turned in by the following deadlines: the first (5%) must be turned in by midterm, and the second (5%) must be turned in by the last day of classes for credit. You are welcome to attend events on or off the UTSA campus; you are strongly encouraged to attend events on campus, however. Information on recital times, dates and locations will be given periodically in class. This information can also be found on bulletin boards in the lobby areas of the Music Building.
4. Diary (20%) You will be required to keep a diary of your experiences in this class. This will include what we do in class as well as a diary of your day-to-day practicing. I will collect diaries at midterm (10%) and on the last class day (10%).
5. Quizzes (10%) There will be two quizzes during the semester on such topics as vocal anatomy, physiology and acoustics, health care for your voice, and how to prepare a song. These two quizzes will each be worth 5% of your grade. They will be announced several days in advance.
Grading Breakdown: Attendance/Participation 30%
Diary 20%
Quizzes 2 quizzes at 5% each
Songs #1 (Midterm) 15%
#2 (Final) 15%
Recital attendance/critiques 2 critiques at 5% each
CONDUCT: Students in this course are expected to abide by the UTSA Student Code of Conduct. Please be sure you have read this document (see Appendix B at www.utsa.edu/infoguide/appendices.cfm)
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: UTSA does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Special assistance is provided to students with disabilities through disability services. See www.utsa.edu/infoguide/chap_2.cfm#disability for more information.
CELL PHONES: Please turn your phone off for this class. Your colleagues are not paying tuition to have their class disrupted by your phone call. The same applies to text messaging, pagers, etc. If your job requires you to wear a pager or phone, you must set it on silent vibrate and you must completely and quietly leave the room before answering it. Students who fail to abide by this policy and disrupt class with a phone call will be counted as absent for that class meeting.
Here is a list of important dates for you to remember for this class - when things are due, etc.
Friday, October 13 Mid term; first song must be sung from memory in class by this date (15%)
Recital critique #1 must be turned in by this date (5%)
Diary due (10%)
Friday, November 3 I will be attending a conference out of town. I will set up make up sessions with you so that you do not miss out on class time due to my schedule.
Friday, November 24 Thanksgiving holiday. No class.
Friday, Dec 1 Last day of class; recital critique #2 must be turned in by this date (5%)
Diaries due again (10%)
Wed, Dec 6 Final singing exam (our period is 7:30 am – 10:15 am). Second song performed from memory (15%)
As always, ask if you have questions. Come by my office if you need to talk privately with me. I have an open door policy.