MUSIC 36: ELEMENTARY VOICE 

Columbia College

John Carter, Instructor

Course Syllabus

   

COURSE GOALS:

 

  • I want you to grow in your ability to sing
  • I want you to grow in your knowledge about your voice. 
  • I want you to grow in your confidence as future performers. 

 

 

COURSE ACTIVITIES

 

Your present level of vocal ability is not that significant. However, it is important to me that you grow vocally and show consistent improvement.  This growth will happen through practice.

 

  • Class activities consist of group instruction, group singing and individual singing. 
  • Activities will gradually and systematically increase through the semester.
    • We will begin with exercises (Vocal Exercises), move on to simple folk songs (The Song Supplement) and conclude the semester with more challenging songs (Italian).
    • Each class will begin with either a presentation on some aspect of voice, or vocal exercises.  You will also have worksheets to do in class on varied topics in voice as well as outside class assignments to help you progress.
    • The first few weeks will be devoted to group instruction in Music Theory (Theory Notebook Complete) and group instruction in basics of singing. The remainder of the semester will be group and individual singing with one-on-one instruction.
    • In addition to these expectations, you will need to practice at least 3 times/week for an hour outside of class
    • You will also have daily in-class assignments.  These will not be graded but they will be recorded as being completed.  You will be given credit for completing them in class.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

 

                 Theory Notebook Complete, by John Brimhall, Hansen House Publishers, 1969.

 

Song Supplement, Compiled by John Carter (Handout)

 

Vocal Exercises Sheet. (Handout)

 

26 Italian Songs and Arias, with CD ed. By John Glenn Paton.  Alfred Publishers.

 

 

 

 

OPTIONAL LEARNING AIDS

 

     Song Supplement CD compiled by John Carter.  This is a performance of all the songs found in the Song Supplement.  This is available for purchase in the Bookstore or you can download it from the Music department website. http://columbia.yosemite.cc.ca.us/Music/

    

      Vocal Exercises CD.  This is a performance on keyboard of the exercises found on the Vocal Exercises for those who do not play piano.  This is available on my college website above.

    

               Italian Songs CD.  This is a supplemental CD consisting of some of the songs from the Italian book being sung to accompaniment as well a pronunciation of the text to music.  This CD is available on my college  website.

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS:

 

Your Vocal Mastery Worksheet contains all the in-class and outside class assignments.

 

____ Individual performances.  You will be graded on points.  See below.

 

_____Final Activity.  You must all participate in the activity on the Final day.  Students who do not, will have their semester grade lowered one grade.

 

GRADING/EVALUATION:

(See attached grading sheet.)   

 

OFFICE HOURS:

I will be available in my office for help during my office hours.  These hours are posted on my office window door. My office is located in Aspen.  My office phone number is 588-5214. Email: carterj@yosemite.cc.ca.us

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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: This class is also available for Credit/No Credit.