Private Instruction in Voice (MUAP 1281)

Course Syllabus HCC Academic Discipline: MusicCourse Title: VoiceCourse Rubric and number: MUAP 1281-0080Course CRN: 33708Semester Term: Summer 2010Campus and Room Location with Days and Times: Stafford Greenbriar Annex. Lesson times are mutually arranged between student and instructor.Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 2Course contact hours per semester:  Course length: 10 week summer session, June 7-August 15, 2010Type of Instruction:  Lecture/Lab
Instructor: Michael Walsh, Adjunct Professor of VoiceContact Information:Phone: 713-718-6360, Fine Arts Department SecretaryEmail: [email protected] Scheduled Office Hours: Please email me or see me in person after class to schedule a meeting time, if needed.
Course Description Private instruction in voice at the College Freshman level or below.  Lesson times are mutually arranged between student and instructor.10 weeks of regularly scheduled 60-minute private lessons per week, the 10th week is the final examination performance before a faculty jury.
Course Prerequisites:MUSI, MUSB OR MPER (other than private instruction) course of student’s choice.  Participation in a performing ensemble is strongly encouraged.  Your instructor may require a companion repertoire class, which can be considered the co-requisite.  Students who fail to enroll in a co-requisite will be dropped from this class by the department.
Course Goal:  To enhance student performance capability, knowledge of the voice and enjoyment of music through the study of repertoire, technique, and musical style.  Theoretical aspects of music will be incorporated as time permits.  Special performance interests of the student will also be considered.
Course Student Learning Outcomes:1. Assume and maintain correct posture.2. Use correct breathing technique.3. Use correct vowels and consonants, and good diction.4. Sing with good intonation and tone quality.5. Sing with accuracy of notes, rhythms, and words6. Demonstrate a good understanding of musical phrasing, style, and interpretation.     7.   Demonstrate good stage presence.
Course Student Learning Objectives: To understand and experience natural, healthy vocal technique; to memorize the sensations that produce the most resonant, communicative, and vocally free tones as possible; to develop careful attention to detail in the musical score; to show attention to appropriate style, phrasing, tone production, and interpretive nuance while exhibiting proper practice methods.

Core Curriculum:This course fulfills the following core intellectual competencies: reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking and computer literacy. A variety of academic experiences are used to develop these competencies.

HCC Calendar:Per specific SemesterClasses Begin June 7, 2010Last day for drop/add June 8, 2010Holidays and Breaks July 5, 2010 (Independence Day Holiday)Last day to file for graduation June 15, 2010Last day to drop classes with a grade of W July 27, 2010Instruction ends August 8, 2010Final examination- Jury Performance August 9-15, 2010 TBA


Date Course Schedule
June7- August 8 Due to the individual and unique structure of private vocal instruction, a predetermined course schedule is not feasible. Assignments and homework expectations for the next lesson will be specifically outlined and understood by the end of each lesson.August 8 Concert report paper and voice journal due date. Voice jury TBA.
Please remember that this syllabus is subject to change. All changes will be documented by the instructor.


Instructional Methods: I wish to create a safe and nurturing environment for each singer to explore his/her vocal technique in a healthy, creative, and efficient manner. Methods of instruction may include: lectures, readings (from textbooks or books), video/film presentations, and listening assignments.

Student Assignments:  Students are required to keep a voice journal detailing what they have learned in their lessons. A voice journal is a mirror of your development. Write about what we have covered in your lesson. Catalogue new insights, ask questions, or journal any vocal frustrations you may have. I am looking for critical thinking skills and your evolution as a singer in these journals. You must write one entry per week. Journals will be collected the last week of classes. You must attend a concert of live vocal music this semester. Proof of attendance is required. Obtain a concert program and turn it in with your journal the last week of class. You must also write a 1-2 page paper reviewing the concert. Discuss the performance, addressing issues of vocal technique, repertoire, musicality, and stagecraft. Intelligible writing and proper grammar are required. The concert must be of classically based vocal music. Concert reports are due the last week of class. 
Student Assessments: Students will be graded upon the following criteria: Instructor’s evaluation of the student’s improvement and development over the semester; completion of the assignments as listed above; a jury performance before the music faculty TBA. Methods of Assessment/Evaluation may include: Tests and quizzes which may include: definitions, matching, multiple choice, true/false, short answer, brief essay, lists; writing assignments, in-class discussions and/or critiques; written papers including critiques, essays, analyses, reviews, research, comparing and contrasting artistic or design theories and perspectives; service learning projects; presentations; group and/or individual projects; portfolios; other methods as may be determined by individual instructors..
Instructional Materials:The vocal music will be selected for each student by the instructor. Students may be asked to purchase vocal music based on the instructor’s discretion. Students are also required to record each lesson. Recording devices (iPods, digital voice recorders, etc.) are provided by the student.
HCC Policy Statement: Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
If you have any questions, please contact the Disability Counselor at your college or the District Disability Office at 713-718-5165 or the Southwest College Counselor: Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7909.
To visit the ADA Web site, log on to www.hccs.edu, Click Future StudentsScroll down the page and click on the words Disability Information. http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/future-students/disability-services


HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty 
You are expected to be familiar with the College's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog and student handbook. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
“Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:• Copying from another student’s test paper;• Using materials during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the test;• Collaborating with another student during a test without authority;• Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test that has not bee administered;• Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit.
Violations: Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of “0” or “F” on the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. A recommendation for suspension or expulsion will be referred to the College Dean of Student Development for disciplinary disposition.
Students who wish to appeal a grade penalty should notify the instructional supervisor within 30 working days of the incident. A standing committee appointed by the College Dean of Instruction (Academic or Workforce) will convene to sustain, reduce, or reverse the grade penalty. The committee will be composed of two students, two faculty members, and one instructional administrator. A majority vote will decide the grade appeal and is final.

Official HCC Attendance Policy: Students are required to notify the instructor no later than 24 hours in advance (excepting documented emergencies) of any lessons that will be missed.  Two make-up lessons will be allowed per semester, if instructor time and studio space can be arranged.  Failure to give notice automatically counts the student as absent and forfeits the private lesson. 

Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Students are responsible for material covered during their absences, and it is the student’s responsibility to consult with instructors for makeup assignments. Class attendance is checked daily by instructors.
Although it is the responsibility of the student to drop a course for non-attendance, the instructor has the authority to drop a student for excessive absences. 
A student may be dropped from a course for absenteeism after the student has accumulated absences in excess of 12.5 percent of the hours of instruction (including lecture and laboratory time).For example: For a three credit-hour lecture class meeting three hours per week (48 hours of instruction), a student may be dropped after six hours of absences. 
Administrative drops are at the discretion of the instructor. If you are doing poorly in the class, but you have not contacted your professor to ask for help, and you have not withdrawn by the official withdrawal date, it will result in you receiving a grade of “F” in the course
NOTE:  LAST DAY FOR STUDENT/ADMINISTRATIVE DROP THIS SEMESTER:JULY 27, 2010
Course Withdrawals-First Time Freshmen Students-Fall 2007 and Later: Effective 2007, section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code applies to first-time in college freshman students who enroll in a Texas public institution of higher education in the fall semester of 2007 or thereafter. High school students currently enrolled in HCC Dual Credit and Early College are waived from this requirement until they graduate from high school.
Based on this law, HCC or any other Texas Public institution of higher education may not permit students to drop after the official day of record more than six college level credit courses for unacceptable reasons during their entire undergraduate career.
Course Withdrawals:Be sure you understand HCC policies about dropping a course. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially from a course and prevent an “F” from appearing on the transcript. If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the course prior to the final date of withdrawal.   Before, you withdraw from your course; please take the time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The instructor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the course.  Your success is very important
If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact a HCC counselor or your professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript.  **Final withdrawal deadlines vary each semester and/or depending on class length, please visit the online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC Registration Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines.  Remember to allow a 24-hour response time when communicating via email and/or telephone with a professor and/or counselor.  Do not submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline.  If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are making in the class as your final grade
Early Alert Program:To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which your professor may “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance.  It is your responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance.
Repeat Course Fee:  The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed classes.  To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition.  The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.

Individual Instructor’s Requirements Statement     
As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:• Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be derived• Facilitate an effective learning environment through class studio activities, discussions, and critiques• Provide a clear description of any special projects or assignments• Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make up• Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any special projects or assignments• Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:• Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities• Complete the required assignments • Ask for help when there is a question or problem• Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments


HCC Grading Information:
Grading percentile: the official HCC grading rubric is as follows:
90–100 percent A Exceptionally fine work; superior in presentation, visual observation, comprehension and participation80–89 percent B Above average work; superior in one or two areas70–79 percent C Average work; good, unexceptional participation60–69 percent D Below average work; noticeably weak with minimal participationBelow 60 percent F Clearly deficient in presentation, style and content with a lack of participation
The grade of "I" (Incomplete) is conditional. It will only be assigned if at least 80% of the course work is complete .Students receiving an "I," must make an arrangement with the instructor in writing to complete the course work within six months. After the deadline, the "I" becomes an "F." All "I" designations must be changed to grades prior to graduation. Changed grades will appear on student record as "I"/Grade (example: "I/A").
The grade of "W" (Withdrawal) appears on grade reports when students withdraw from a class by the drop deadline. Instructors have the option of dropping students up to the deadline. After the deadline, instructors do not have that option — not even when entering final grades.
Instructor Grading Criteria:    
Homework, assignments and projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:• Adherence to all specific assignment guidelines/content requirements.• Adherence to deadlines.• Level of technical difficulty attempted and achieved. More sophisticated work may receive higher scores.• Creativity and Originality: Solving the assignments in an imaginative and unique way may lead to a higher score.• Honesty: Submit your own work. 

Instructor’s Final Grading Legend:
The final grade will consist of the following:• Voice journal and concert report: 10% • Instructor’s evaluation of student/improvement and Preparation: 80% • Jury Performance: 10% • Total: = 100%



In lessons we will cover vocal technique, musicality, acting, stagecraft, and basic music theory, as needed. Come to lessons with an open mind and be willing to try new concepts. Learn to live outside of your ‘comfort zone.’ Taking risks is a part of the process. My primary goal in teaching is to provide each student with a healthy and natural technique that allows them to freely express and interpret the music. Do not hesitate to ask questions- it is how we learn. Please dress appropriately for your lesson. Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move and breathe freely. I am a wealth of information when it comes to performing of all types, so the more you work and strive to be a better singer, the better teacher I can be for you. The information I will impart to you is in direct relation to how much you apply yourself. I require that you bring your own recording device (iPod, digital voice recorder, cassette recorder, et cetera) to your lessons, as students who do so advance more quickly in their vocal studies. The power of hearing yourself and your vocal progress over the course of a lesson can never be underestimated. Set aside time each week for practice (minimum of 8 practice hours per week is required) on what we have covered in your lessons. Make your practice a planned part of your schedule so you can receive the full benefits and get the best results of your private study.