Teaching in this course also includes the following staff members...

Classical Voice Teachers
   Rosalind Martin
   Cheryl Pickering
   Sara Lambert
   Judith Henley
   Rosanne Hosking

Accompanist (Performance Class)
   Sachiko Hidaka

Languages
   Penny Cashman (Italian & German)
   Rosalind Martin (French)
   Fiona McArdle (Italian & German - Semester 1 ONLY)

Sight-Singing, Aural Training & Conducting Studies
   Carl Crossin

Stagecraft (this workshop is for Classical Voice students but is a component in the Music Professional Development courses)
   Catherine Campbell

At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to…

1. Exhibit technical, musical and language skills that, through accuracy, fluency and clear stylistic awareness, illustrate a strong and maturing conceptual and interpretative understanding of (a) the art of singing in general and (b) of the student’s chosen repertoire in particular.
2. Exhibit effective personal practising strategies which arise from independent, imaginative and creative approaches to problem solving including the use of contemporary technologies.
3. Manifest a developing sense of critical understanding of the widely accepted performance standards required for professional endeavour and an ability to assess one’s own performances and those of fellow musicians in the light of those standards.
4. Exhibit skills in performance etiquette, communication, stagecraft and interaction with an audience that enhance the student's performances in a way that reflects the essence of the music being performed.
5. Exhibit curiosity, self-awareness, a sense of musical standards, and problem-solving skills that will enable continuous learning and growth.

1. Musical scores of repertoire and technical exercises as prescribed by course lecturers (The Elder Music Library houses an excellent collection of scores available for loan to students). Original copies of the music must be used for examinations.
2. Engagement of the services of a professional accompanist for performance examinations and other performances.
3. A good quality recording device to record classes, performances and private practice - as required - on a regular basis.
4. All Classical Vocal Studies 1A students are required to purchase their own copy of A Handbook of Diction for Singers (2nd Ed.) by David Adams. This book will be used as an essential reference in all Classical Vocal Studies courses throughout all three undergraduate year levels.
5. Tuning fork (A440), pencil & eraser, and metronome.

Regular listening to a variety of performances (live & recorded) is highly 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 for 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 Resources 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.

1:1 Tuition
Although individual 1:1 tuition is fundamental to the development of each student’s vocal potential and is an integral part of Classical Voice studies at the Elder Conservatorium, this aspect of the student’s musical development is undertaken outside of this course structure through the provision of a stipend of $1,000 per semester to cover the cost of individual tuition with a Conservatorium approved Classical Voice teacher. Under the guidance of the Head of Voice, Opera, Conducting & Ensembles this arrangement will enable each student to plan and undertake a series of 1:1 lessons with an appropriate Classical Voice teacher in a manner that suits the student’s vocal needs, and provides suitable vocal support for the student’s work within the course.

Performance Classes
Through weekly Performance Classes students will be given the opportunity to develop a range of preparation and performance skills. Performance Classes are taken principally by Rosalind Martin who will monitor each student’s vocal and musical progress, diagnose technical and musical problems, and suggest strategies for problem solving and independent practice.

As part of each student’s engagement with their peers in these classes, students are given the opportunity to make informed critical comments about their own performances and those of their peers. Students are also expected to maintain a written journal to document their engagement with the class.  Performance Classes will be vertically grouped across all three year levels to facilitate each student’s maximum engagement with their peers. Students will also be given the opportunity to present, perform, and discuss their current repertoire with fellow students as ‘work in progress’.

Diction & Language Studies
Through the English Diction Classes, students will learn the fundamental principles of English diction as appropriate to singers. Studies will include the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and the related skills of range appropriate vowel modification.

Sight Singing
Sight-singing and related aural development is a crucial but often underrated skill-set for singers. Throughout the three semesters of Sight Singing classes (Year 1 and Semester 1 of Year 2) , students will develop their sight-singing ability together with a range of aural skills relevant to singers, including one-voice-to-a-part ensemble singing and the development of ‘peripheral hearing’ and other ensemble skills. The specific materials used in sight-singing component of Classical Vocal Studies will be tailor made for current students.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

1. Performance Class - up to 20 hours per semester
2. English Diction Class - up to 10 hours per semester
3. Sight Singing, Aural Development & Small Ensemble Class - up to 10 hours per semester
4. Private Language study - up to 20 hours per semester
5. Individual sight-singing and related aural practice - up to 20 hours per semester
6. Classical Voice Performance Examination Preparation - up to 20 hours per semester
7. Private individual vocal practice and repertoire study - a minimum of 60 hours per semester

Please Note: In addition to the required contact hours and structured non-contact hours described above, students are expected to spend a minimum of 60 hours per semester preparing and practising all repertoire, technical exercises and other assigned material. Students should note however, that the demands of the music profession are such that considerably more time should be spent in private vocal practice and related preparatory activities.

Assessment in this course comprises the following components…

1. Performance Examination (15 minutes):   40% Relevant Course Learning Outcomes - 1,  2,  3,  4,  5
2. Performance Class Assessment:   20% Relevant Course Learning Outcomes - 1,  2,  3,  4,  5
3. Diction & Languages Assessment:   20% Relevant Course Learning Outcomes - 1,  2,  3
4. Sight-Singing, Aural Development & Small Ensemble Assessment:   20% Relevant Course Learning Outcomes - 1,  2,  5

 

All students enrolled in courses taught by the Elder Conservatorium of Music are expected to actively and positively participate in 100% of all required activities - rehearsals, workshops, classes, lectures, tutorials, seminars and performances - as defined by this course outline.

In courses where Participation & Attendance penalties apply (such as this course), any student who misses more than 40% of required activities will be deemed ineligible for assessment in that course, irrespective of the amount of leave that has been formally approved.

In this course, penalties apply for any absences which are not formally approved according to the Conservatorium's Leave Policy (see the leave Application Form URL below).  However, an absence may be approved by the relevant lecturer as either Medical Leave, Professional Development Leave or Compassionate Leave.  Please see the Conservatorium's Leave Policy for further information.

For each unapproved absence in any class in this course the following penalties will apply: Three (3) marks will be deducted from the student's final percentage mark for this course for each unapproved absence.

Leave Application forms are available from the Music Office and can be downloaded from the Music website at...

https://music.adelaide.edu.au/current/handbook/Student_Leave_Form_2014.pdf