VOICE STUDIO SYLLABUS

Assistant Professor Cynthia Clayton

Studio Class:  Tuesdays, 10:30 A.M. -12:30 P.M., MSM 129

Individual Lessons:  by arrangement, MSM 309

Spring, 2008

 

Applied Voice

MUSA 1300, 2300, 3400, 4400, 6400, 8420

MUSI 4198, Special Problems (Recital)

MUSI 8242, Doctoral Performance

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

 

MSM 309 - Studio: (713) 743-3304

Mobile: (713) 906-4440 (messages checked most often)

cynthia@claytonvasquez.com

cynthiaclayton@uh.edu

 

 

Introduction & Goals  

 

The study of singing is a study in contradictions:  at once intellectual and intuitive, complex and simple.   Both talent and hard work are required, and a deficit of either of these aspects will not achieve the desired results.  The good news is that the hard work in this case is enjoyable and yields great rewards quickly.

 

My job is to guide, teach, and train you in the development and application of your talent; your job is to demonstrate your willingness and drive to fulfill the potential of your talent.  Our mutual goal through this course of study is to take your understanding and performing of your music to the highest quality achievable at your current level of maturation.    We will work together to select appropriate repertoire that meets the requirements set out by the Department, and master that repertoire musically, vocally, and artistically. 

Learning Outcomes

 

As a result of this course, each student will present his or her assigned repertoire by memory in jury or recital performances, and will demonstrate:

 

  • Musicality and artistic interpretation
  • Fluent execution of the diction
  • Well-prepared dramatic presentation
  • Vocal mastery of the music

 

 

Policies

 

All voice students are expected to read and follow the published Departmental GUIDELINES FOR VOICE STUDENTS, and meet all minimum attendance, performance, and repertoire requirements for their respective levels.  It is not my responsibility to read these to you and monitor your adherence of the Departmental expectations.  Also, be assured that meeting the minimum requirements of this Syllabus results in a passing grade; to achieve an A or B in my studio requires demonstrated work beyond the minimum.

 

Some specific policies:

 

 

  • When new pieces are assigned or chosen, make it a priority to locate the music, and make THREE COPIES:  one for you, one for your pianist, and one for me.   I need these to work with you on your music.   This is a priority!

 

  • Please do not sight-read in your lesson.   You should be reasonably familiar with any music brought to studio classes/lessons.

 

  • Cell phone use (including texting, audible ringing or vibrating) is inappropriate in studio class, lessons, or anywhere you are in the audience.

 

  • You are encouraged to bring water to studio class and lessons, but please do not consume food.

 

  • If you are ill for your lesson or studio performance time, stay home and notify me immediately.   If you suspect you’re getting ill, the day before a lesson, call or e-mail me and let’s discuss it.   The earlier the notification, the more easily I can make up the lesson appropriately.   

 

  • If you are well (not contagious) but in poor voice, contact me and let’s assess whether or not a lesson might help or hinder your vocal rehabilitation.

 

  • INFORM YOUR PIANIST of any lesson absences or changes.   This is not my responsibility!  

 

  • If you are assigned a solo for choir/chorale, or if you have any solos outside of school, please bring them in to your lesson.   Every performance reflects not just on you, but on my studio and the Moores School.   They’re ALL important.

 

Lessons

 

At your lesson time, please knock and then enter the room. (I really don’t like to holler “come in!”)  If someone is finishing, quietly take a seat until I am ready for you.  It is important that you are on time for your lessons; I will always try to stay on schedule, so if you arrive late, you will get less instruction.

 

Advanced students are welcome to warm-up prior to their lesson.   More novice singers may prefer to come in “cold” and let me guide you through warm-ups.

 

ALL LESSONS MUST BE RECORDED.   It is fine if you want to bring in your own recording device.   Otherwise, please bring a recordable CD to every lesson (you are welcome to purchase a set and store it in my office), to record on my system.

 

Studio Class

 

Class will be in Room 129, on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 12:30.    All music performed in class should be well prepared; memorized if at all possible (if it is not memorized, be sure to bring in an extra copy of your music for the pianist to use).  As per the Voice Area regulations, you must attend both hours of studio class unless you have a class conflict.   If your conflict is more than one hour of the class, you must find an alternative studio class to attend.   If you can only be at one hour, please get to class in a timely manner (don’t loiter on the way or go off to warm up; that should be done before the conflicting class).    I will assign singers to various weeks according availability; if you cannot sing on your assigned day, please contact me and the stand-by singer for that week.

 

PLEASE INFORM KATHERINE CISCON in advance if you plan to perform any difficult or non-standard music in Studio Class.   Providing her with the music ahead of time is a really good idea, too.

 

Expectations

 

What I expect from you:  

 

  • Enthusiasm!   If you don’t love to sing, people aren’t going to love to listen to you.   The quickest path to improvement is to take advantage of every opportunity to perform.   It may feel scary at first, but we are respectful and supportive of every performance.   I personally would rather witness an enthusiastic but less-than-vocally-perfect performance than an uninspired, apologetic, or reticent one (even if even if the vocalization is good).

 

  • Upperclassmen and Graduate students are expected to be able to research and choose appropriate repertoire.   I am always available for suggestions and guidance, but it is important for you to research and choose selections that meet the requirements for your level.    I reserve the right to veto any I deem inappropriate.    I will provide repertoire assignments for Freshmen and Sophomores, but I always welcome input regarding the student’s tastes.

 

  • Once selections are made, I expect you to make it a priority to thoroughly prepare the music.   Check the Studio Website for STUDY GUIDES on how to prepare each new piece – those documents should be part of your practice journal, and will be checked.   By the third or fourth lesson on a particular piece, I expect you to be fully memorized or close to it.    All jury or recital rep MUST be fully memorized a month before performance.   This has been problematic in previous semesters, and will be strictly enforced, with deficits reflected in your studio grade.

 

  • Practicing pays off.   You are expected to keep a practice journal, which will be checked sporadically during the semester, and turned in at jury time.   I do not expect you to spend hours in the practice room every day, but please do the following:

 

    1.  Spend at least 15 minutes daily, six days per week, on breathing and vocal exercises, preferably ones from our work together in lessons.   Pay special attention to breath intake and vowel formation and placement at this time.   

 

    1. Adequate repertoire study.   Use the study guidelines above for newer selections, and spend time mentally rehearsing pieces that need memorization.   Repertoire study should be both mental and vocal.

 

  • Please make an effort to drink more water than you do coffee, tea & soda combined.   Even minimal dehydration has a negative effect on the voice.

 

  • Appropriate attire is expected for all public performances:  studio, jury, and recital.  You do not need to dress up, but you do need to be presentable, as if going to a job interview.   If you’re unsure what appropriate attire is in each situation, please speak to me.   Hint: it will never include flip-flops.

 

  • Please do not consider your private lessons to be performances.   This is the one time that I want you to take risks and learn from your success or failure.    I can teach you more effectively if I experience your limits, and conversely, I am limited if you are not open to taking chances.

 

  • Please attend every performance you can, whether student, faculty, or professional.   This is crucial to the development of your musical aesthetic, and is a barometer of how serious you are about fulfilling your potential. 

 

What you can expect from me:

 

  • My respect, attention, and enthusiasm during lessons.

 

  • My honest feedback and advice when requested (and sometimes when not requested).

 

  • A fair grade based on the policies and expectations outlined herein.

 

  • The full benefit of my knowledge and experience.

 

  • Access to me via phone, e-mail, or office hours as available.  I am happy to meet with you outside of studio class or lessons, by appointment.  I will respond in a timely manner to e-mails and phone messages.  

 

Grading

 

Depending on your class level, your grade will be based on a combination of your studio grade, your jury grade, and a practicum grade (if applicable).    Details of the formula used to reach your final grade are available, usually posted on the Voice Area Board. 

 

  1. I will base the STUDIO portion of your grade on the following scale:

 

·         Lesson preparation and participation, including journal: 30%

·         Studio Class performance and participation: 30%

·         Attendance (which includes timely arrival):  20%

·         Graded Top 100 performances, as required by your level: 20%

(Top 100 is not applicable for Freshmen; for them, the first two criteria will be weighted 40% each)

 

  1. The JURY portion of your grade will be based on your performance on your Final Jury or Recital, as assessed by the faculty.

 

  1. Information about any PRACTICUM requirements for your level will be posted on the Voice Area Board, and grading policies for that portion of your grade will be determined by the instructor.   Please check these for yourself, and do not depend on what your colleagues tell you – many people have had their grades negatively affected by not participating in a required Practicum.

 

PLEASE endeavor to attend all Top 100 performances (Alternate Thursdays at 1 PM).   Perfect attendance at these recitals results in raising your final grade by one level (ie: B+ becomes A-); it’s worth it!

 

 

Please print this final page, sign & detach the section below,  and return it to my faculty mailbox by 1/28/2008

 

 

Moores School of Music

Clayton Studio Syllabus, Spring, 2008

MUSA 1300, 2300, 3400, 4400, 6400, 8420

 

I have read the current Syllabus for this course, and understand the requirements therein.

 

 

 

 

 

Name       (Printed)

 

 

 

 

Signature                                                                                                                                 Date