Columbia College

Music 36: Elementary Voice

John Carter, Instructor

GRADING

introduction

Your grade in voice class is not based on "how good your voice is" nor is it based on how good it is compared to anyone else. Your grade in this class is based on how well you improve, how well you demonstrate that improvement over the course of the semester, and your performance on assigned material. Since this is a skill development class, you will need to practice regularly in order to develop your skills and advance. I expect that you will practice at least 2 hours per week outside of class.

How you are graded

Through your practice and my instruction, you will progress through different levels throughout the semester. Skill levels become increasingly challenging and are as follows:

First Level Posture for Singing

Second Level Demonstrate Abdominal Breathing

Third Level 3 Vocalizes: one each from Group I, II and III of Vocal

Exercises Sheet

Fourth Level 2 Songs from the Song Supplement, memorized

Fifth Level 1 Song from the text, memorized

Sixth Level 1 Song from the text, memorized

Your grade is based on you passing these levels. I use this scale to determine your Final Term Grade:

6 levels passed = A plus Completion of Vocal Mastery Sheet

5 levels passed = B plus Completion of Vocal Mastery Sheet

4 levels passed = C plus Completion of Vocal Mastery Sheet

3 levels passed = D plus Completion of Vocal Mastery Sheet

2 or less levels passed = F

Incompletion of the Vocal Mastery Sheet will drop your Final Grade one grade

These scales can be revised by the teacher as needed.

how you pass a level

You pass a level by performing individually in class and earning a total of 21 points out of 27 in these areas: Consistency of Support, Consistency of Resonance/placement, Intelligence of Phrasing, Correctness of Diction, Quality of Stage Presence and Depth of Expression, Thoroughness of Memorization. You will have opportunities to pass a level based on alphabetical order. You must pass the levels in order and you may only pass one level a class session. When you pass one level you may begin working on the next level even if the others in the class are note ready to move on. If you are not in class when it is your turn, you will be skipped and you will have to wait until your turn comes around again. The only exception is for people who are sick and call in ahead.

Points in each area are determined by me as follows:

5 (“Great Work”) Absolutely outstanding work. You have mastered the skill by doing very thorough and careful work. Everything is absolutely correct.

4 (“O.K.”) Basically good work that is above average. This demonstrates good work. You are consistent most of the time (90%) showing quite good time invested and quite good attention to detail. A bit more work is still needed, however.

3 (“Marginal Success”) You are not in control of this skill. It is undependable. Sometimes you have it, sometimes you don’t. This needs more practice.

2 (‘Needs lots of work”) Deficient in mastering the technique most of the time although there is some occasional success. This score shows very little effort. Much more time outside of class is necessary.

1 (“Not Good”) Failure to have any success with this aspect of your performance. This level represents no mastery and probably no effort. This is inadequate.

Credit/No Credit

Those taking the class for credit/no credit must earn a C in order get credit. You sign up for Credit/no credit in the first week or two of the semester.

See me if you want further clarification.