Columbia College

Music 39

Grading

John Carter, Instructor

GRADING

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 and how well you demonstrate that improvement over the course of the semester. 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 3 hours per week.

The grading system is as follows:

You will begin at level one. From there, 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 Abdominal Breathing

Third Level 3 Vocalises TBA

Fourth Level 1 Musical Theatre Song, memorized

Fifth Level 1 Classical song, memorized

Sixth Level 1 Song TBA, memorized

Your grade will be determined by how many levels you pass:

6 levels passed + Completion of Vocal Mastery= A

5 levels passed + completion of Vocal Mastery= B

4 level passed + Completion of Vocal Mastery= C

3 level passed + Completion of Vocal Mastery = D

0 levels passed= F

Students pass a level by performing individually in class and earning a total of 21 points out of 27 in the following areas:

Consistency of Support 1-5 points

You are taking low, “belly buttoned”-centered breaths without raising the chest. Your support is consistent throughout a tone and throughout a phrase creating a steady volume of tone. High notes and low notes are properly supported. There is no breathiness in the tone; it is clear.

Consistency of Resonance/placement 1-5 points

The mouth is properly open for each vowel and note. The tongue and larynx are in a proper position for each vowel.

Intelligence of Phrasing 1-5 points

You breathe in appropriate places- at the end of a musical phrase or textual thought. You do not breathe in the middle of words or “wherever you need it.”

Correctness of Diction 1-5 points

You sing the correct sound for the word that you are sounding. Diphthongs are handled correctly. Vowels modify correctly as you move into the upper range. All foreign vowels and consonants are made with the correct sounds.

Quality of Stage presence and Depth of Expression 1-3 points

Posture is correct for good singing. Jaw position is relaxed and appropriate for the vowel and the range. Facial expression is expressive of the song and the music; it does not reflect your vocal difficulties and strain.

Thoroughness of Memorization 1-4 points

The song is memorized in such a way that you can express the music and the feeling of the words without anxiety or interruption of the music.

I will determine your points on the following basis:

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.

Outside performances: We will perform outside of class. I will give you those dates at the beginning of the semester. You are required to perform. Any missed performances will be an automatic F for the Semester.