Dr. Susan C. Fleming
Office: Room 184
Phone: (o) 348-1470
Office Hours: TBA and by appointment
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The broad objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the basics of teaching singing, including an introduction to basic anatomy and physiology of the singing voice, and the development of a solid foundation for continued learning in the theories and methods of vocal pedagogy.
TEXTS:
The required text is The Structure of Singing by Richard Miller. Other texts and articles will be on reserve in the Music Library and/or Media Center for reference purposes and assigned readings.
REQUIREMENTS:
- One class presentation which discusses an assigned pedagogical text and how it relates to present-day teaching methods (i.e., the pros and cons of the method, and your justification, based on knowledge gained from other readings and practical application - approximately 20-30 minutes).
- A paper (approximately 15-20 pages) presented in class as a lecture, discussing some aspect of vocal pedagogy and its application.
- Teach a student one 1/2 hour lesson per week. Additionally, this student will be "taught" in vocal pedagogy class twice, in order that you (as instructor) can receive feedback and assistance on how to proceed teaching the student.
- Keep a journal of the weekly lesson with your private student. Include exercises used, specific problems addressed, progress (or none) noted, (potential) literature assigned, etc. Journal is due at the end of the last class.
GRADES:
Scale is A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=0-59.
Incompletes will be granted only in extreme circumstances. (Please see University catalog for specifics).
Grades are based on the following criteria:
- 20% Class attendance and participation. Class attendance is required. Two unexcused absences result in automatic lowering of final grade by 1 letter. Each subsequent unexcused absence continues to lower grade by 1 letter.
- 20% Class presentation
- 10% Journal
- 10% Teaching evaluations - based on two classroom "lessons"
- 20% Paper
- 20% Midterm exam