Instructor Information
Professor: Robin Anderson
Office: Parish House Parlor
Office Phone: 573-694-5906 (cell)
Email: Randerson@centralmethodist.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Course Information
Course: MLV100C / MLV300C Applied Voice
Term: SP24
Meeting and Location Times: Parish House Parlor
Final Exam Schedule: Voice Juries TBD
SYLLABUS
Catalog Course Description
Prerequisites: Department approval
Co-requisites: MU010
Credit Hours: 1, 2, or 3
Course Description: https://undg-catalog.centralmethodist.edu/Music/index.html
Textbook Information
No textbook is required. However, the following texts are recommended:
Course Learning Objectives
-
Demonstrate increased technical ability by the end of each semester of Applied Studio lessons
-
Develop effective personal practice time strategies
-
Develop self-evaluation and assessment skills
-
Demonstrate a continued understanding of stance, breath management, vocalization, and diction in the singing languages and across multiple musical genres
-
Perform at an appropriate level for small and large ensembles and/or other public performances
CMU Mission Statement
Central Methodist University fosters a diverse and caring community, empowering students to become lifelong learners, committed to academic excellence, prepared to engage in a complex world.
CMU LEARNING OUTCOMES
-
Communication (articulate, multimodal, professional)
-
Students are articulate, able to speak and write clearly and effectively.
-
Students are multimodal, able to interpret and express ideas through multiple modes of communication.
-
Students are professional, able to adapt to and interact with others in a confident, responsible, and engaged manner.
-
Curiosity (discover, analyze, create)
-
Students can discover, explore, and seek solutions based on accumulated knowledge and current research.
-
Students can analyze, evaluate, interpret, and summarize data.
-
Students can create and innovate using critical thinking and collaborative skills.
-
Community (serve, respect, lead)
-
Students will serve others and be ethical and informed citizens.
-
Students will understand and respect diversity, including others’ viewpoints, positions, and beliefs
-
Students will lead creatively and collaboratively to produce positive changes in the broader world.
Students Requiring Special Accommodations
Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability/state defined handicap ("disability"). This includes but is not limited to recruitment and admission of students, educational programs, services, activities, financial aid, and scholarship programs. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination requirements. The Center for Learning & Teaching at Central Methodist University is committed to ensuring nondiscrimination and equal access to all programs, service, and activities for qualified students with a disability. It is the responsibility of any student who wishes to claim a disability and seek an accommodation to file official documentation confirming the disability and a completed Disability Services Student Information Form with the Center of Learning and Teaching prior to seeking any accommodation based on the disability.
Grievance Policy
Central Methodist University has established a grievance policy and process designed to provide students and others with a process to resolve potential issues. This policy and process is established to provide persons with an avenue to file a written concern and to establish a process to track and implement changes as a result of said concern. For more detailed information, consult the CLAS catalog at: https://clas-catalog.centralmethodist.edu/info/University%20Policies.html#info13-grievance
If an issue cannot be solved through consultation with the faculty or division chair, students can report an incident/issue within 30 days of the event via the online web form https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CentralMethodistUniv&layout_id=3
Academic Integrity and Academic Conduct
The University’s official statement on academic conduct: https://clas- catalog.centralmethodist.edu/info/Grading,%20Academic%20Recognitions%20and%20Sanctions.html
Attendance
You are expected to attend each lesson. If an extenuating circumstance should arise, it is your responsibility to notify me as quickly as possible. The University’s official statement on attendance:https://clas-catalog.centralmethodist.edu/info/Student%20Academic%20Information.html#info9-class
Class Cancellation
If I must cancel a lesson, I will notify you via email and text as quickly as possible. Please be in the habit of checking your email every day, including the morning of your lesson. Please TEXT OR CALL me if you will miss a lesson in less than 24 hours’ notice.
Make-up and Late Work
I will offer you a make-up lesson if (1) you must miss a lesson because of a school-sanctioned event, (2) I must miss a lesson for any reason, or (3) either you or I have an emergency. Make-up lessons are available on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed, and may require zoom attendance. As an adjunct faculty member of CMU, I am on campus one day a week - Wednesdays only.
Applied Voice Repertoire
The following is a general repertoire guideline for Bachelor of Arts in Music students, Music Minors, and non-majors enrolled in 1 credit hour of lessons:
1st semester: 2 contrasting pieces – 1 studied, 1 memorized for juries (recital performance optional)
2nd semester: 2 contrasting pieces – 1 studied, 1 memorized for juries and recital performance
All subsequent semesters: 2 contrasting pieces, both memorized for juries and recital performance
* Failure to meet the required amount of repertoire may result in a letter grade reduction.
Voice Studio Class Policy
Voice studio class will occur every Wednesday 2-2:50 in the Recital Hall. Voice studio class is an opportunity for you to practice your musicianship, courage, vulnerability, and memorization of repertoire in front of a supportive and encouraging group of your peers.
Attendance is mandatory for all music majors, and they will be expected to sing multiple times throughout the semester as instructed by their private teacher. For any music minors and non-majors enrolled in Applied Voice, regular attendance is strongly encouraged, but not required. Music minors and non-majors will be required to attend at least three studio classes and sing in at least one class. All students are expected to provide your pianist with legal copies of your music at least 2 weeks in advance.
Collaborative Pianist Policy
Collaborative pianists for Thursday Morning Recitals, Juries, Chamber Recital, and the American Music Recital are provided to students free of charge. It is unusual for student musicians to be afforded this privilege and we are happy to provide you with professional collaborative pianists at no cost to you. However, if you are not respectful of our pianists, you will lose this privilege. We will allow you one “free” forgetfulness mistake. The second time you fail to notify at least two-hours in advance of your rehearsal, you will lose this privilege. You may still use the services of your pianist, but you will have to pay for each lesson and performance. The approximate cost for a rehearsal is $50 per hour. Performances may be more depending on the length.
Practice Expectation
It is the faculty’s job to hold its students to a standard of excellence so they may become marketable musicians in an increasingly competitive industry. Likewise, it is the student’s responsibility to practice their craft consistently and efficiently to ensure they are improving at a reasonable rate. Practicing means spending time in a practice room at the piano vocalizing; intently studying the piece, its composer, and historical context; translating; and watching, recording, and critically listening to yourself while thoughtfully considering your vocal technique (posture, breath management, resonance, diction, presentation, etc.). Singing while driving, singing along to Spotify and YouTube recordings, and watching videos of TikTok influencers does not count as quality practice time and is often more detrimental than it is helpful.
All students enrolled in Applied Voice should spend the following amount of time efficiently vocalizing and practicing their repertoire each week:
1 credit hour = 3 hours of practice
2 credit hours = 6 hours of practice
3 credit hours = 9 hours of practice
You and your instructor will work as a team throughout the semester to put efficient practice habits in place, laying the foundation for you to have a successful semester while simultaneously managing your vocal health and additional responsibilities.
Recital Attendance
All students enrolled in lessons are required to take MU010 Recital Attendance. Non-majors are required to attend 9 events.
Studio Inclusion Statement
This voice studio is a safe space where you can fully express yourself without fear of being made to feel unwelcome or unsafe because of your race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, size, gender expression, mental health, neurodiversity, country of origin, or native language.
As it relates to music, this voice studio is a safe space where you can fully express yourself without fear of being made to feel unwelcome or unsafe because of your current skill level, personal vocal sound, musical heritage, or musical preferences, as well as your current familiarity with the repertoire being studied, knowledge of its history, and understanding of Western European music notation and theory.
We will respect and honor each other’s unique voices in order to build a strong community and sense of belonging for all.
Health/Safety Statement
Musicians face a number of health and safety issues, particularly in applied lessons and ensembles. Hearing concerns, vocal health, and muscle injuries are a concern for faculty and students. Awareness and education are key to preventing harmful habits or injuries.
In addition to the information shared with you in lessons and rehearsals, there is material available to you regarding best practices for maintaining hearing, vocal, and muscular health. Helpful information is posted on the CMU webpage (https://www.centralmethodist.edu/student-life/services-and- resources/music-resources.html).
Grading
-
A = 90% and above
-
B = 80% - 89%
-
C = 70% - 79%
-
D = 60% - 69%
-
F = 59% and below
Assignments and Points Breakdown
-
Lessons/weekly assignments: 30%
-
Studio class attendance and participation: 30%
-
Juries/Other required performances: 40%
Lessons/weekly assignments:
-
Reflection: each week, you will complete 1-3 reflective journaling prompts
-
Repertoire Research: Each student will be required to submit repertoire research sheets or project for each piece of music they are learning.
-
Weekly Lessons and Assignments: Student and teacher will decide on specific weekly assignments at each lesson. Weekly lesson grades will be based on preparedness (do you have your music, a way to take notes, etc.) and completion of weekly assignments. Additional assignments may be given at the instructor's discretion.
-
Juries/Thursday morning recitals: Students will sing in at least one Thursday morning recital each semester. For juries, music majors must offer the number of required memorized pieces; the student will choose one and the jury panel will choose a second. Music minors or students of other majors will sing one piece of their choice, but it cannot be the same piece for both Recital and Jury.
-
Studio Attendance and Participation: Music majors are required to attend weekly Studio class and participate several times throughout the semester. Music minors or students of other majors should participate at least once throughout the semester and are encouraged to participate more frequently.
*Note: If you have a course conflict with Studio, please send your instructor an email prior to the first Studio Class with that information.