Course Syllabus

Voice for Musical Theatre

Fall Semester 2017

1103_01

 

Lauren M Weber
Lauren_Weber@baylor.edu

Office Hours: One of the best ways to take full advantage of learning in my course is by coming to my office hours. I look forward to guiding you in your academic pursuits. 

Please e-mail or text me for an office hour: Mondays anytime by appointment

Class Time:  15-30 minute individual voice lesson/week (see schedule)
1 hr weekly studio class

Office Phone: 710-1897    Cell Phone: 254-723-6682

 

Description
This course introduces students to singing.  No prior singing experience is necessary.  

Goal
The course will be introduced to the five parts of healthy vocal production in Musical Theatre: Phonation, Relaxation/Alignment, Respiration, Articulation and Resonation (focus on Resonation in Spring semester)
The course will also allow students to a variety of musical repertoire through exploring different musical songs.

 Objectives
Knowledge:

• To develop knowledge of vocal production, as well as some fundamentals of music
• To develop knowledge of the physical aspects of vocal performance (the five parts of healthy singing):
• To understand the how’s and why’s of practicing.
• To know the importance of exercise and maintaining healthy life-style.
• To learn to count and work with CD recordings and live accompanist on chosen literature.
• To be introduced to standard musical theatre literature

 

Comprehension:

• To demonstrate the fundamental techniques of singing to one’s personal abilities to enhance singing.
• Work towards realization of full vocal potential in safe learning environment
• Learn to have and identify healthy vocal and practice habits
• Expand range and versatility necessary to sing in a variety of Musical Theatre styles

Synthesis

• To gain confidence and productivity with his or her voice. 

Evaluation

• To learn to evaluate singing techniques and address and recommend changes for healthy vocal production

Materials

• Pencil, water bottle and scores for music being worked on.  Notebook and binder strongly recommended.  Please dress in clothes you can move in.  Singing is a full body activity and exercises may involve floor work. 

Practice Policy

It is unrealistic to expect improvement without daily practice.

• It is expected that voice students enrolled in one credit practice at least 30 min. a day 5 days a week
• Activities counting toward the daily requirement include: picking music, singing Warm-ups & Vocal Exercises, learning assigned pieces, memorizing, and rehearsing with accompanying CD.

 Attendance Policy

• Students are expected to attend every scheduled lesson and observation
• You are allowed two absences (including lessons, studio class and observations)
• In the event of an illness or another conflict, it is important to contact both your instructor and accompanist BEFORE the lesson time.  Lessons will not be made up, please do your best to switch should a problem arise.
• The teacher may miss one lesson without making up the time.  After this, the instructor will do her best to reschedule.
• No lessons on university holidays.
• In the event of an unplanned absence, please contact your instructor as soon as possible. 

Your final grade will be lowered five points for each additional absence

“To earn course credit in the College of Arts and Sciences, a student must attend at least 75% of all scheduled class meetings.  Any student who does not meet this minimal standard will automatically receive a grade of “F” in the course.  Any University-related activity necessitating an absence from class shall count as an absence when determining whether a student has attended the required 75% of class meetings.”

****Retention for the Spring Semester will be based on all the criteria listed above as well as aptitude and lesson availability.

Grading Policy 
              

     Repertoire Memorization/Completion              30%

     Lesson Preparation/Vocal Progress                30%

    Observation and Video Journals                      20%

     Performance Papers                                       20%

 This class does use the + / - scale

Expectations for each assignment 
Repertoire Memorization/Completion: Students will be assigned a minimum of 3 pieces for the semester.  It is expected that the student will memorize these prior to in-class workshop time in order to be able to better focus on vocal production and style interpretation.

 

Lesson Preparation/ Vocal Progress: Progress is defined on an individual basis. You are NOT in competition with fellow students, nor are you being compared with them.  You are only being compared to and competing with YOURSELF!  Some objective measures of progress may include:  evidence of daily practice, preparedness assimilation and mastery of vocalises assigned, and attitude and openness to personal growth. 

Observation and Video Journal: Voice is highly personal, and learning can take place by observing another singer.  You are expected to attend lessons with your lesson partner and observe when not singing.  These observations will be reviewed, discussed and ultimately turned in for credit. This semester, you will also be asked to video your rehearsals so I can watch them and provide feedback.  More details to come.

 Performance Paper: Student will write a reflection paper after each in-class performance. Papers should be typed 1 page with details over material covered in lessons, how they feel they did in convocation and what they improved on during the semester.  3 papers total.

End of the Year Jury:

Students of this voice studio will join together for an end of the year jury where students will sing the songs they worked on during the semester for fellow faculty members.

The Mission of Baylor University is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

The Mission of the Department of Theatre Arts is to nurture a close-knit community of intellectually curious and artistically daring theatre practitioners while preparing students for future success through liberal arts education and professional training.

Academic Success

We as faculty members have high academic expectations of you and believe every student who has been admitted to Baylor can be successful. I am a vigilant professor and will notice if you are struggling in my course. If your academic performance in this class is substandard, I will submit an Academic Progress Report to the Success Center during the sixth week of the semester. I will work to help you get the help you need to learn more fully, and I can assist you in finding the resources you need beyond my course. Familiarize yourself with the culture of success we have at Baylor by stopping by the Paul L. Foster Success Center in Sid Richardson or by going to: http://www.baylor.edu/successcenter/. Even if you don’t need help, you can get involved by tutoring other students in the future or by telling a hall mate how and where to get help.

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism or any form of cheating involves a breach of student-teacher trust. This means that any work submitted under your name is expected to be your own, neither composed by anyone else as a whole or in part, nor handed over to another person for complete or partial revision. Be sure to document all ideas that are not your own. Instances of plagiarism or any other act of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Honor Council and may result in failure of the course. Not understanding plagiarism is not an excuse. As a Baylor student, I expect you to be intimately familiar with the Honor Code at: http://www.baylor.edu/honorcode/

Students Needing Accommodations

Any student who needs academic accommodations related to a documented disability should inform me immediately at the beginning of the semester. You are required to obtain appropriate documentation and information regarding accommodations from the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation (OALA). Contact Information: (254) 710-3605 - Paul L. Foster

Success Center, 1st floor on the East Wing of Sid Richardson.

Title IX Office – Title IX Coordinator, Kristan Tucker

Baylor University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in any of its education or employment programs and activities, and it does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex or gender. If you or someone you know would like help related to an experience involving sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, intimate partner violence, or retaliation for reporting one of these type of prohibited conduct, please contact the Title IX Office at (254)710-8454 or report online at www.baylor.edu/titleix.

The Title IX office understands the sensitive nature of these situations and can provide information about available on- and off-campus resources, such as counseling and psychological services, medical treatment, academic support, university housing, and other forms of

assistance that may be available. Staff members at the office can also explain your rights and procedural options if you contact the Title IX Office. You will not be required to share your experience. If you or someone you know feels unsafe or may be in imminent danger, please call the Baylor Police Department (254-710-2222) or Waco Police Department (9-1-1) immediately. For more information on the Title IX Office, the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Interpersonal Violence policy, reporting, and resources available, please visit the website provided above.

Military Student Advisory

Veterans and active duty military personnel are welcomed and encouraged to communicate, in advance if possible, any special circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployment, drill requirements, disability accommodations). You are also encouraged to visit the VETS Program Office with any questions at (254) 710-7264.

The Mission of Baylor University is to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.

The Mission of the Department of Theatre Arts is to nurture a close-knit community of intellectually curious and artistically daring theatre practitioners while preparing students for future success through liberal arts education and professional training.

 

Anyone who practices, rehearses or performs has the potential to suffer injury related to that activity.  Each individual student is personally responsible for avoiding risk and preventing injuries to themselves before, during, and after their study at Baylor University.  The Musical Theatre professors may address the importance of a healthy diet, sleep patterns and their effect on your voice, importance of a healthy speaking voice, lifestyle patterns, importance of exercise, side effects of medications, and how to take care of yourself during lessons or studio.  Ultimately, students are the only ones that can be held responsible for having and maintaining a healthy instrument in performance and daily life.  When in doubt, seek medical help.