Download DICTION FOR SINGERS FAM 255 ThorburnSpring 2016

DICTION FOR SINGERS FAM 255
Course Syllabus
Ms. Melissa Thorburn
Spring 2016
Contact Information
 Classroom: LY 309/Office: LY 404
 Office Hours: TBA
 Music Office: LY 405
 Telephone: 888-2542/888-2536
 E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
Course Materials
 Diction for Singers, 2nd edition (Wall et al)
 The Bantam New College Italian and English Dictionary
 Binder
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
 Understand and utilize basic symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as
applied to English, Latin, Italian, German, & French
 Correctly pronounce song texts in the above languages
 Sing more clearly, accurately, & meaningfully in the above languages
 Critique vocal performances of Classical music, with particular attention to diction, style,
and interpretation
 Evaluate the criticism of professional music critics and/or student colleagues
 Understand the forms, styles, and subject matter of the poetry and music presented in
class, and how they reflect the overall musical and literary characteristics of the period as
well as the values and mores of the time in which they were written
Course Assignments & Evaluations
 Classwork: Learn/perform songs in Italian, German, & French, 2 of which must be sung
by memory for exams; listen to/discuss/critique recordings of professional singers in
English, Latin, Italian, German, and French
 Homework: Reading assignments in textbook & IPA transcription of song texts
 Research Project: Each student will prepare a written report on the composer and poet of
one of the songs studied in class. In addition to biographical material, the report will
include a discussion of the style, form, and techniques of the work and how they relate to
the historical period to which it belongs. (OBJECTIVES 1A, 1B, 1C)
 Concert Reports: 2 critiques of live solo vocal events (OBJECTIVES 2A,2B)
 Quizzes: 1 on each of 5 languages above
 Exams: Midterm (Italian) & Final (German & French)
DICTION FOR SINGERS FAM 255 Course Syllabus p.2
Attendance Policy
 2 absences permitted without penalty
 3rd absence will result in 5% final grade reduction; 4th 10%
 More than 4 absences will necessitate withdrawal to avoid an FX grade
Grading
 Classwork 15%
 Homework 20%
 Reports 15%
 Quizzes 25%
 Midterm Exam 10%
 Final Exam 15%
Approximate Schedule
 No classes on Feb. 16; Mar. 24, 29, & 31
 Concert Report due dates: Mar. 22 & May 3 (OBJECTIVES 2A, 2B assessed)
 Research Project due date: Apr. 7 (OBJECTIVES 1A, 1B, 1C assessed)
 Unit I: Introduction to IPA/English diction
Jan. 19 Basic vowels/Vowel triangle/Read pp. 1-12 in text
Jan. 21 Read pp. 13-22
Jan. 26 Read pp. 23-49
Quiz: Jan. 28
 Unit II: Latin diction
Jan. 28, Feb. 2, 4, 9
Quiz: Feb. 11
 Unit III: Italian diction
Feb. 11, 18, 23, 25
Quiz/Sing Italian song: Mar. 1
 Midterm Exam: Mar. 3 (Written/Sing Italian song by memory)
 Unit IV: German diction
Mar. 8, 10, 15, 17, 22; Apr. 5, 7
Quiz/Sing German song: Apr. 12
 Unit V: French diction
Apr. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28; May 3
Quiz/Sing French song/Review: May 5
 Final Exam: TBA by Administration during exam week (Written/ Sing German or
French song by memory)
DICTION FOR SINGERS FAM 255 Course Syllabus p. 3
Field 3 Goals & Objectives
 Objectives 1A,1B,1C: Covered by Units 2-5, research project, and class discussions
involving analysis of forms, styles, and performance practice for a variety of songs, as
well as musical style and its relationship to its historical period
 Objectives 2A,2B: Covered by Units 4&5 and concert reports, which teach critical
analysis and use of terms specific to performance practice of solo vocal music
Field 3 Arts and Literature Goals & Objectives:
Content:
Goal: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetic dimension of human life through
the study of literature, art, or music and the ways in which they mirror and shape the human
experience.
Objectives: Students will:
 Identify specific techniques, styles, or formalistic properties of particular examples of literature, art,
or music.
 Identify the relationship of particular examples of literature, art, or music to the traditions from
which they have emerged.
 Demonstrate an understanding of how creative work in literature, art, or music mirrors and shapes
human experience.
Skills:
Goal: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the methods of literary and artistic criticism and
interpretation.
Objectives: Students will:
 Critically evaluate the methods of literary and/or artistic criticism and interpretation employed in
the study of literature, art, or music.
 Employ the methods of literary and/or artistic criticism and interpretation in the study of literature,
art, or music.