Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Guila Tiver, Tel: 8313 3600, LG09 Elder Hall

Other Staff: Patrick Power ONZM, Tel: 8313 5860, LG02 Elder Hall
                   Rosalind Martin, Tel: 8313 5106, G22 Elder Hall

Contact emails: To contact staff by email: firstname.lastname@adelaide.edu.au

If scheduled to perform in the Monday Workshop (2-4pm), the student must be available for a rehearsal between 1-2pm in the Madley Rehearsal Studio.

The objectives of this course are to:
1. Develop musical performance skills that display accuracy, fluency, advanced technical skills and a mature expressive sense along with a strong conceptual and interpretative understanding of the chosen and prescribed works.
2. Develop effective practising strategies which arise from independent, imaginative and creative approaches to problem solving including the use of contemporary technologies.
3. Develop critical understanding of own and others’ musical performances in relation to the standards required for professional endeavour.
4. Students will acquire a basic knowledge of: the grammatical structure of language; the general principles of Diction; use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
5. A basic knowledge of Italian grammar will be gained in order to translate Italian into English with the use of a dictionary.
6. Students will acquire a knowledge of Italian diction for singing and be able to mark-up Italian words using a dictionary and IPA resources, so that they can be pronounced correctly.
7. Students will demonstrate this knowledge in application in a workshop in which they will give and receive constructive criticism.

1. Scores of repertoire prescribed by voice teacher (Elder Music Library houses an excellent collection of scores available for loan to students). Original music must be used for examinations.
2. Technical workbooks as required by voice teacher.
3. Engagement of the services of a professional accompanist for lessons as needed, performance examinations and other performances.
4. A good quality recording device to record lessons, practice and performances on a regular basis.
5. Copies of music for the accompanist, metronome, pencil and eraser – as needed.
6. Adams, David A Handbook of Diction for Singers (paperback)
   Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (January 28, 2008)
   ISBN-10: 0195325591
   ISBN-13: 978-0195325591
7. Bantam New College Italian/English Dictionary (Bantam New College Dictionary Series) [Paperback] Robert C. Melzi (Author)
   Series: Bantam New College Dictionary Series (Paperback)
   Publisher: Bantam; Reissue edition (March 1, 1984)
   ISBN-10: 0553279475
   ISBN-13: 978-0553279474
8. Talk Italian Grammar (Talk) (Paperback)(Italian / English) By (author) Alwena Lamping
   Publisher: BBC Active, Published: 17 July 2009 (Paperback)
   Categories: Usage & Grammar Guides Language Teaching & Learning Material & Coursework Grammar & Vocabulary
   ISBN 13: 9781406652352 ISBN 10: 1406652350
9. Basic Language Handout Notes U of A Course Notes Power,P.M.
10. Suverkrop, B: IPA Source; Internet Resource Elder Music Library
11.  Free Internet Resources

Regular listening to a variety of performances is recommended. Students can listen to works through the library's Naxos subscription (see library catalogue, search using Naxos as the title and limit search to ‘electronic resources’. You will be prompted to enter your uni ID number and password to access the Naxos catalogue). There is a wealth of material available for listening (but not downloading). The link to the Naxos catalogue is In the Music Resources Guide:
http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/music - you will find links to both Naxos and Naxos Jazz under “Quick Links” on the left side of the page.

The Music Resources Guide contains quick links to key music databases for scholarly research and online listening. It also contains links to websites of publicly available online scores, collected editions, and professional associations. Here too you can find a regularly updated list of new books, scores, CDs and DVDs available in the Elder Music Library.
http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/music

Music Online: Access to online music from library’s other Music Database (Music Online – incorporating Classical Music Library, Jazz Music Library, American Song, Contemporary World Music and Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries) is now integrated in Library Search – just type the work you require into the general Library Search box and narrow down appropriately.

This Course Outline will be placed on MyUni – see “My Performance Classical”, Course Information section.

In the Course Materials section, there are folders set up for Performance Forum and for Technique and Repertoire classes, with the latter being divided for the various practical areas namely: Brass, Keyboard, Percussion, Strings, Voice and Woodwind.

In the Groups section, these practical areas are designated as Groups and can be accessed by students.

Individual tuition lies at the core of developing advanced performing skills. The vocal teacher monitors each student’s progress, diagnoses technical problems and suggests strategies for independent practice.

Voice Practicum (Italian): Reading and analysis of course materials, individual study, translation , transcription and memorisation of song texts, discussion and rehearsal, leading to performances.
 

 

Individual 1:1 Tuition

In addition to the required contact hours, students are expected to spend at least 3 hours per day on the preparation and practising of all repertoire, technical exercises and other material assigned by their voice teacher.

Voice Practicum Workshop:

In addition to the required contact hours, students are expected to commit time to background research and to memorise all material assigned by the lecturer as required.

Careful, consistent and regular practice is assumed in order to reinforce and consolidate progress made prior to the next session.

Lecture Tutorial:

In addition to the required contact hours, students will be expected to commit time to revision of material covered in classes and to complete exercises assigned by the lecturer.

Individual Tuition

• 9 hours over the semester, students are expected to be punctual and prepared for each lesson. The expectation is for students to develop private structured learning skills.
• Students are expected to maintain 100% attendance at one to one lessons. See below for penalties.
• Lessons should not be scheduled at times that conflict with any other required classes.
• At each lesson, both the staff member and the student must sign the roll sheet, indicating the date and length of the lesson.
• Should a student be absent without notice, the roll sheet must be signed by the staff member with an appropriate comment. The Head of Studies should be notified (preferably by email) within 48 hours. The teacher will be under no obligation to make up this lesson.
• Where either the teacher or the student is unable to attend at a previously arranged time, at least 24 hours notice must be given and an alternative time negotiated.
• Bachelor of Music students may need to be available outside the formally designated teaching weeks in order to accommodate the full quota of lessons.
• Students are expected to research the background of the composer and pieces being studied.

Independent Practice

• Students are expected to devote at least three hours per day in the preparation and practice of all repertoire, technical exercises and other material assigned by their vocal teacher.
• Journal – Voice students are expected to complete practice journal entries on a weekly basis, to be submitted to their vocal teacher at lessons. A practice diary sheet is posted on MyUni and can be downloaded.

Co-requisite Course

Forum, Technique and Repertoire Class must be taken in conjunction with Classical Vocal Performance 1A. For specific details, see Forum, Technique and Repertoire Course Profile.

Students may need to regularly book practice facilities in order to meet the requirements of this course.

Students will need to engage the services of a professional accompanist for lessons (as needed), performances and examinations. Consult with your individual teacher or see the accompanist list available from the Music Office.

ASSESSMENT (Summative)			Learning Outcomes/s Addressed
Semester 1
Assessment breakdown	15 minute practical examination	60%	1, 2
	Performance assessment week 6 in 1:1 lesson	10%	1, 2, 3
	Teacher assessment	10%	1, 2, 3
	Ongoing presentation of repertoire demonstrating increasing language acquisition skills through performance and interpretation. Assessed performance in Performance Class of two Italian pieces from individual repertoire in the last weeks of each semester. Students will be assessed on the understanding of each word in their song texts	5%	4, 5, 6, 7
	End of term 1 test on work covered to date	5%	4, 5, 6
	End of Semester Examination covering: Rules of Italian Lyric Diction English and Italian vowel diagrams Transcription of English words into the International Phonetic Alphabet Rules for singing diction in English	10%	4, 5, 6

The performance examination for Classical Vocal Performance 1A must be passed in order to progress to Classical Vocal Performance 1B.

In this course, penalties apply for any absences which are not formally approved, as outlined in the Conservatorium’s Student Participation and Attendance Leave Guidelines (see following). Leave Application forms are available from the Music Office and can be downloaded from the Music website – see http://music.adelaide.edu.au/study/current/leave.pdf.

Student Participation and Attendance Leave Guidelines

EXPECTATION

All students enrolled in courses taught by the Elder Conservatorium of Music are expected to actively and positively participate in 100% of required rehearsals, workshops, classes, lectures, tutorials and performances. In courses where Participation & Attendance penalties apply (as defined in the Course Outline), any student who misses more than 40% of required classes will be ineligible for assessment in that course, irrespective of the amount of leave that has been formally approved.

LEAVE

The Conservatorium recognises that extenuating circumstances may occasionally affect a student’s ability to participate in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. In such cases Leave may, upon application using this Leave form, be approved by the relevant staff member (this could be the Head of Studies, teacher, conductor, lecturer or course coordinator as appropriate).

The following types of Leave are applicable:

Sick Leave

• In cases of sickness, the Leave form must be submitted within 7 days of your return to classes.
• Students must make every effort to notify the relevant staff member of an impending absence for reasons of sickness. Where a rehearsal or performance is involved, Leave will only be approved if the relevant staff member is notified before the event.
• Normally, an original medical certificate must be supplied with the Leave form to verify the circumstances. The relevant staff member or Head of Studies in cases of absences involving multiple activities or days may waive the requirement to produce a medical certificate if they have clear evidence of illness and believe that a medical certificate is unnecessary or impossible to obtain.. The Leave form will need to be initialled as part of the notification or approval process in this case.

Compassionate Leave

• Compassionate Leave may be granted at the discretion of the relevant staff member where extenuating circumstances have prevented a student participating in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. Usually this means circumstances which were unforeseen and legitimately beyond anyone’s control, however this will not always be the case.
• Where the circumstance is known in advance, approval for the Leave must also be obtained prior to the event.
• In cases such as bereavement or where care of a close family member is required, notification as soon as possible is expected and the form must be submitted within 7 days of your return to classes.
• Verification of the circumstances will usually be required.

Professional Development Leave

• Professional Development (PD) Leave may be granted in cases where the student has made a case to the relevant Head of Studies for an activity which they believe will be of considerable professional and educational benefit. This activity should:
  • be directly related to Coursework within your Conservatorium program or
  • involve Coursework or study at a major tertiary national or international music institution or
  • involve Performance, Workshops or other relationships and activities with a high profile, national or international artist(s)
• When determining PD leave, the duration of the project also affects approval, particularly for absences greater than one week.
• PD leave will not be granted if the proposed activity conflicts with any commitments a student has to a Conservatorium performance where their attendance at rehearsals and the performance itself are a required part of their studies.
• PD Leave is only granted in advance of the activity (normally at least 7 days prior). It will NOT be granted retrospectively.
• Final arrangements for any professional development commitments must wait until formal approval has been granted by the Head of Studies and then all signatures of relevant staff members are obtained. Approval is not necessarily guaranteed.
• Verification will be required as part of the approval process and must be supplied with this form.

LEAVE APPLICATIONS

Leave applications must be completed, documentation attached (if required), signatures obtained, then submitted following the steps below.

Step 1: NOTIFYING STAFF	Notify the relevant staff member(s) and where appropriate, Head of Studies, of your absence as soon as possible..
Step 2: VERIFYING ABSENCE	Check with the relevant staff member or Head of Studies to see whether verification or proof will be required. (Please note that this is usually essential however it will not always be necessary.)
Step 3: COMPLETING FORM	Complete the form then sign and date it.
Step 4: OBTAINING APPROVAL	Obtain the necessary signatures for formal notification and if necessary, approval from the relevant staff member(s) or Head of Studies concerned. Please note individual instructions listed in various leave types above, particularly for Professional Development Leave where prior approval is needed.
Step 5: COPYING FORM	Copy the form for your records.
Step 6: ATTACHING & SUBMITTING FORM	Attach any certification you have been asked to provide then submit the form to the relevant staff member or Head of Studies.

PENALTIES

Penalties apply for any unapproved absences as follows:

INDIVIDUAL LESSONS

• Absence - 5 (five) marks for each unapproved absence

Voice Practicum Workshop

• Absence - 3 (three) marks for each unapproved absence

Any unapproved absences from the Voice Practicum Workshop will result in a 3 (three) mark penalty for each unapproved absence. Any penalties will be applied to the final mark for the year - ie. after all other assessments have been completed and calculated.

Arrival after the scheduled starting time or departure before the scheduled finishing time may, at the discretion of the relevant teacher or Head of Studies, be penalised.

Failure to notify the relevant instrumental teacher at least 24 hours in advance of an impending absence or late arrival will also be regarded as an unapproved absence. This penalty may be waived if the teacher or Head of Studies is convinced that extenuating circumstances were the cause of the absence or lateness. In such cases it is the student’s responsibility to show that extenuating circumstances are applicable.

Lecture Tutorial

• Absence - 1 (one) mark for each unapproved absence

Students should refer to their Voice Guidelines for detailed technical and repertoire information.

Classical Vocal Performance 1A

15 minute practical examination 60% - to comprise repertoire as designated for Classical Vocal Performance 1 (see Repertoire Guidelines for singers).

Week 6 formative assessment – 10%. Assessed in 1:1 lesson with individual teacher on progress and commitment thus far.

End of semester Teacher assessment - 10% - based on progress demonstrated in individual voice lessons.

Italian language assessments – 20%.

Voice Practicum Workshop:

Students must sing two pieces for assessment towards the end of semester at times assigned by the Head of Voice. Copies of the Music with either IPA transcription or Diacritical accenting of open and closed “e” and “o” vowels must be presented to the examiner. A translation must also be presented.

Students will give a translation of words randomly chosen from these pieces.

At the end of the Second Semester, students will read aloud a short text which will be given to students to prepare a week before the assessment.

Lecture Tutorial:

There will be a term test at the end of the first term of each semester on work covered to date. Dictionaries are allowed and expected to be used in tests. Where transcription into IPA is required, students are encouraged to vocalise the sounds quietly. Conversation is however not allowed.

Students must be available during the identified University examination periods. Students are not entitled to sit an examination at another time, nor are they entitled to any other concessions if an examination conflicts with a planned vacation or special event.

Students can collect copies of Examiners’ reports and teachers’ reports from the Music Office once the Examination Board Meeting has occurred at the end of each semester.

The following assessment criteria describe more specifically the grades for performance that are awarded by the Conservatorium.

High Distinction (85% - 100%)

This category is reserved for those performances which show exceptional achievement in all aspects. They demonstrate flair, individuality and maturity of the highest order.

Distinction (75% - 84%)

Performances at this level will show an outstanding technical and musical achievement, combined with flair, imagination and an individual musical personality. All sections of the program will be of a consistently high standard. In particular, the following characteristics will be evident:

• A consistently high level of accuracy and technical facility.
• A highly developed structural understanding, evidenced by excellence in phrasing and an effective organisation of dynamics.
• A well-developed sense of line and musical momentum.
• A thoroughly reliable rhythmic sense, including consistent pulse and accurate subdivisions.
• Excellent quality and range of tone.
• A high level of concentration and musical involvement.
• Well developed sense of style, combining historical knowledge with convincing communication of character and emotion.

Credit (65% - 74%)

Performances at this level will show an above average technical and musical achievement. Compared with the distinction category, there might not be the same flair or imagination but other elements will be present to a substantial degree. In particular, the following characteristics will be evident:

• A high level of accuracy and a well developed technical facility.
• A good understanding of musical structure, evidenced by suitable phrasing and appropriate treatment of dynamics.
• A good sense of line and musical momentum.
• A reliable rhythmic sense, including consistent pulse and accurate subdivisions.
• Good quality and range of tone.
• Good concentration and musical involvement.
• Good sense of style, combining historical knowledge with an ability to communicate character and emotion.

Pass (50% - 64%)

This category represents an average level of achievement. The program is well known technically, but might appear untidy at times and might not be consistent from one work to another. It shows evidence of sincere effort and solid musical understanding but does not have the polish or control found in the higher categories. The playing could well demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Generally secure technique but perhaps lacking in polish and consistency.
• An adequate understanding of phrasing.
• Limited variety in dynamics and colour.
• Limitations in tonal quality.
• Some sense of style but lacking a confident projection of mood and character

Fail (0% - 49%)

This grade is awarded when the performance shows a serious lack of basic technical and musical achievement. The playing will be marred by technical insecurity and there will be little evidence of coherent musical projection.

As a result of feedback from recent SELT surveys, some ideas and suggestions from students have been incorporated into the Performance Forum and the various Technique and Repertoire classes, particularly with regard to performance opportunities.