Syllabus

Savannah State University

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Department of Liberal Arts

                                               MUSC 3653 Vocal Pedagogy

Instructor: Professor Bindhammer                                         Telephone:      358-3367

Office: Kennedy 108                                                              

Email: HeidiBind@comcast.net or Bindhamm@savannahstate.edu    Office Hours:  Posted

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn the technical teaching tools needed to help themselves and others become better singers by identifying and understanding the anatomical details of the vocal mechanism. This knowledge will enable the student to establish a private voice studio or teach as a graduate assistant.

Goals: 

1. Students will develop an understanding of how the mechanics of the body and movement as they relate to singing; learn basic concepts of evaluation and self-treatment of posture to apply to relaxed singing

2. Students will gain a basic knowledge of the vocal anatomy

3. Each student will have a  clear understanding and be able to define specific terms as related to singing: phonation, respiration, resonation and articulation

4. The student will learn proper care and hygiene of the voice as well as how to detect vocal problems in others and know where to find solutions for those problems.

In support of the Savannah State University's Quality Enhancement Plan, “The Write Attitude,” and the outcomes of this course, students will produce a minimum of 20 pages of writing during the semester in a variety of forms.

Objectives:

1. Students will identify and describe basic anatomical/mechanical relationship of the head, neck, shoulders and how they relate to posture in singing.

2. Have the ability to name and explain function of the vocal apparatus.

3. Learn how the muscles work in respiration as it relates to singing

4. Learn how phonation works and how to achieve proper registration and tone quality

5. Complete projects including working closely with a student of voice

6. Observe voice instructors in private lessons and compile a detailed notebook of techniques and exercises that may be used for future voice students.
7. Each student will take on one student to teach vocal techniques learned through class.

Course Description: Instruction methods and materials for the private voice studio.

Teacher Observation: All students will observe a minimum of five hours of private voice instruction.  A list of all local teachers will be made available to students.

Journal: All students will take notes in a journal – this journal will be collected weekly by the instructor.  Students will be graded on the content of the journal.  The Journal will be divided into sections to include vocal exercises, teacher observations, and personal teaching experiences.

Private Student Instruction: Beginning at the mid-term – all students will be required to teach a student one half hour lesson a week.  Students will be chosen by the instructor and at least one lesson will be observed by the professor.  Students will be expected to present a teaching schedule to Prof. Bindhammer at Mid-Term when students are assigned.  Students will be teaching in the Practice Rooms in Kennedy 114. 

Text Books:    

Boytim, Joan. The Private Voice Studio Handbook.  Hal Leonard. 2003

Ware, Clifton.  Basics of Vocal Pedagogy.   McGraw-Hill: Boston.  1997.

Grading:

1.     Daily assignments (written and oral) and quizzes   20%

2.     Midterm examination  20%

3.     Student Weekly lesson 40%

4.     Final examination   20%

Attendance:  Students MUST attend all classes!  A written excuse must be provided for any absences.  Any student missing more than one week of class (even with a written excuse) will earn a failing grade.  Attendance in this course is COMPULSORY. 

Lateness: Tardiness will not be tolerated. The classroom door will be locked at the start of class. No exceptions. A professional is NEVER late – so plan ahead.

Cell phones: They are permitted only for the recording of vocal exercises.  Students seen texting or accepting a call will be asked to leave and will be counted absent for that class.

Piano Skills:  In order to teach voice, you must have basic piano skills.  Any student who is unable to play basic piano should not take this course.  Students are encouraged to bring recording devices to aid in improving their piano skills.

NO MAKE UP EXAMS.

This syllabus is subject to change