Course Offerings

For complete information as to courses offered in the current year, students
should consult the schedule of course offerings available each semester in the
Registrar’s Office. Courses numbered 100 through 499 are undergraduate
level; courses numbered 500 through 999 are graduate level. Course numbers
preceded by a “»” are typically offered each academic year. Course numbers
followed by a “T” are taught to mixed classes of undergraduates and graduates.
Undergraduate students may register for graduate-level courses with the
instructor’s permission. Courses followed by a “*” are repeatable for credit.
Courses followed by a “**” are repeatable for credit if the topic has changed
(permission from Academic Advisor required).

VOICE

»VC 121 – Phonetics
Teaches the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and explores rules and
techniques for pronunciation and projection in singing. Introduces the
IPA in American English and compares/contrasts to Italian, French and
German. Learning activities include applied oral exercises, class discussion,
critical listening to recordings and written and oral examinations. (1 credit)
Williams

»VC 122 – Italian Diction
Explores the rules and techniques for pronunciation and projection in
singing Italian using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Classroom
activities include applied oral exercises and class discussion, lecture,
critical listening to recordings, written and recorded homework, quizzes,
and a final written and oral exam. Texts: Diction by John Moriarty and Singers’
Italian: A Manual of Diction and Phonetics by Evelina Colorni. Prerequisite:
VC 121 (2 credits) Faculty

»VC 161 – Voice Class
Instruction for non-majors; basic principles of voice production, vocal and
practice techniques. Students will perform a Jury at the end of each semester
taken. (1 credit) Voice TAs

»VC 162 – Voice Class
Continuation of VC 161. (1 credit) Voice TAs

»VC 221 – English Diction
Explores the rules and techniques for pronunciation and projection in
singing English using the IPA. Classroom activities include applied oral
exercises, class discussion, critical listening to recordings, and written and
oral examinations. Text: Singing and Communicating in English by Kathryn
LaBouff. Prerequisite: VC 121 (2 Credits) Faculty

»VC 222 – German Diction
Explores the rules and techniques for pronunciation, enunciation and
expression in singing German using the International Phonetic Alphabet
(IPA). Classroom activities include lecture, applied oral exercises and class
discussion, critical listening to recordings, written and recorded homework,
quizzes, and a final written and oral exam. Prerequisite: VC 121 (2 credits)
Faculty

»VC 261 – Voice Class
Continuation of VC 162. (1 credit) Voice TAs

»VC 262 – Voice Class
Continuation of VC 261. (1 credit) Voice TAs

»VC 321 – French Diction
Rules and techniques of pronunciation, enunciation and projection in
French using the International Phonetic Alphabet. Class discussion, applied
oral exercises, performances, critical listening to recordings, written and
oral examinations. Prerequisite: VC 121 (2 credits) Blaich

»VC 331 – German Vocal Repertoire
This course introduces and explores the performance of German Lied.
Provides a general survey of the repertoire and focuses on performance,
style, ensemble, diction and communication. (2 credits) Faculty

»VC 332 – English/American Vocal Repertoire
This course is a one-semester undergraduate survey of English and American
song for all voice types. It is designed to acquaint singers with the most
important English language vocal works, and to provide experience in
coaching and performing this repertoire. The material covered is intended to
enhance performance skills and to provide a cultural and historical context
for the music. (2 credits) Faculty

VC 425T – Solfège for Singers
Designed for singers who need music reading skills and additional
proficiency in sight-singing. Emphasis on score reading from Renaissance
motets to operatic excerpts. Development of skills used for learning
repertoire; in-class a capella ensemble sight-reading; audition preparation.
(0 credit) Scripp

»VC 431 – French Vocal Repertoire
Through the study of selected French songs in a masterclass setting,
students develop skills in analysis and interpretation and gain an
understanding of the development of the Mélodie genre in the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries. Student presentations, classroom discussions, and
exercises in critical listening will address issues of text setting, lyric
diction, performance practice, musical and dramatic interpretation, and
important trends in musical and literary aesthetics. (2 credits) Faculty

»VC 432 – Italian/Spanish Vocal Repertoire
This course is a one-semester undergraduate survey of Italian and Spanish
song for all voice types. It is designed to acquaint singers with the most
important Italian and Spanish language vocal works, and to provide
experience in coaching and performing this repertoire. The material covered
is intended to enhance performance skills and to provide a cultural and
historical context for the music. (2 credits) Faculty

»VC 481/482 – Vocal Coaching
Interpretation and presentation. Studio instruction with an accompanist,
particularly in preparation for a public performance or recital.
Recommended for the final year; priority given to graduating students.
(2 credits) Faculty

»VC 521 – Voice Class
Lectures, discussion, and individual attention to problems of vocal
production and technique. Not available to Vocal Pedagogy or Vocal
Performance majors. Readings and discussions on aspects of basic vocal
technique using texts such as Joan Wall’s Sing and vocalization from Vaccai’s
Practical Method of Italian Singing. Group lessons and masterclasses with
students expected to give a final jury at the end of the semester as well as a
written exam based on readings and class experiences. (1 credit) Voice TAs

»VC 522 – Voice Class
Continuation of VC 521. (1 credit) Voice TAs

VC 525T – Solfège for Singers
Graduate offering of VC 425T. (0 credit) Scripp

»VC 565 – Vocal Pedagogy
Study of the physiology of the singing mechanism and the teaching of voice,
through text, video, and lectures. Text: Doscher, The Functional Unity of
the Singing Voice. Prerequisite for Voice department assistants. (2 credits)
St. Laurent

»VC 566 – Vocal Pedagogy
Teaching demonstrations by class members, with critiques by the class and
teacher at the end of each session. Continuation of VC 565. Prerequisite:
VC 565. (2 credits) St. Laurent

»VC 573 – Vocal Techniques and Repertoire, English and American
This course is designed to explore through a range of topics the performance
and study of English and American songs from the lutenists to the present
day. Recent topics have included The Art Song in America and The English
Musical Renaissance: Elgar to Britten. Style, ensemble, diction and
communication are emphasized. (2 credits**) Faculty

VC 574 – Vocal Techniques and Repertoire, English and American
This course is designed to explore through a range of topics the performance
and study of English and American songs from the lutenists to the present
day. Recent topics have included The Art Song in America and The English
Musical Renaissance: Elgar to Britten. Style, ensemble, diction and
communication are emphasized. (2 credits**) Faculty

»VC 575 – Vocal Techniques and Repertoire, French
This course is designed to explore through a range of topics the performance
and study of mélodie. Recent topics have included Verlaine Settings in French
mélodie. Style, ensemble, diction and communication are emphasized.
(2 credits**) Faculty

»VC 576 – Vocal Techniques and Repertoire, French
This course is designed to explore through a range of topics the performance
and study of mélodie. Recent topics have included Verlaine Settings in French
mélodie. Style, ensemble, diction and communication are emphasized.
(2 credits**) Faculty

»VC 577 – Vocal Techniques and Repertoire, German
This course is designed to explore through a range of topics the performance
and study of lieder. Recent topics have included Goethe Settings in German
Lieder and The Songs of Robert and Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms.
Style, ensemble, diction and communication are emphasized. (2 credits**)
Faculty

»VC 578 – Vocal Techniques and Repertoire, German
This course is designed to explore through a range of topics the performance
and study of lieder. Recent topics have included Goethe Settings in German
Lieder and The Songs of Robert and Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms.
Style, ensemble, diction and communication are emphasized. (2 credits**)
Faculty

»VC 579 – Song Studies for Pianists and Singers
A performance-based class focusing on selections from the standard song
repertoire and issues of performance specifically related to piano-vocal
collaboration. Pianists and singers, paired in different combinations over
the course of the semester, will collaborate in preparation for in-class
performances and presentations. Classroom discussions and presentations
will address various topics related to the study and performance of song,
including relevant literary movements and musical trends, poetic and
musical style, performance practice, musical drama, ensemble rehearsal, and
artistic collaboration. Instructor’s permission required. (2 credits) Stowe

»VC 617/618 – Vocal Coaching
Interpretation and presentation. Studio instruction with an accompanist,
particularly in preparation for a public performance or recital. Recommended
for the final year; priority given to second-year students. (2 credits)
Anderson-Collier, Blaich, Decima, Francoeur-Krzyzek, Kida, Moriarty,
Stowe

»CLPNO 521 – Song Studies for Pianists and Singers
A performance-based class focusing on selections from the standard song
repertoire and issues of performance specifically related to piano-vocal
collaboration. Pianists and singers, paired in different combinations over
the course of the semester, will collaborate in preparation for in-class
performances and presentations. Classroom discussions and presentations
will address various topics related to the study and performance of song,
including relevant literary movements and musical trends, poetic and
musical style, performance practice, musical drama, ensemble rehearsal,
and artistic collaboration. Instructor’s permission required for vocalists.
(1 credit for collaborative piano majors; 2 credits for non-majors) Stowe

OPERA

»OPERA 420 – Undergraduate Opera Studio
The Undergraduate Opera Studio (UGOS) offers an introduction to
performance skills in opera and lyric theatre and the discipline of being
a professional singer. UGOS is an annually auditioned ensemble, which
is open to undergraduate voice students who have passed their first year
promotional. There is a co-requisite of two years of acting and audition
techniques and two years of movement class for students in UGOS.
Students who are admitted to the performance ensemble of UGOS will
have musical coachings and stagings culminating in a scenes program in the
first semester and a complete one-act or full opera in the second semester.
Prerequisite: VC 195 and instructor’s permission. (0 or 1 credit*) Meraw

»OPERA 440 – UGOS Acting and Audition Techniques
Co-requisite of OPERA 420. (0 credit*) Faculty

»OPERA 450 – UGOS Movement
Co-requisite of OPERA 420. (0 credit*) Faculty

»OPERA 520 – Graduate Opera Studies
See description under Ensembles. Scene study and participation in
productions as cast and other level specific instruction and masterclasses.
Co-requisites: OPERA 510 (ensemble) for all students, OPERA 563-564 (two
semesters) for first year students, OPERA 581-582 (two semesters) for second
year students, and the appropriate workshop, acting and movement level.
(2 credits*) Faculty

»OPERA 521 – Opera Workshop
A class designed to provide an in-depth study of the fundamentals of
opera performance, including dramatic interpretation, recitative, stylistic
interpretation, etc., leading to scenes and aria performances. Normally for
first year graduate students, these studies are enhanced with individual
coaching and acting classes. (0 credit) Faculty

»OPERA 522 – Opera Workshop
Continuation of OPERA 521. Prerequisite: OPERA 521. (0 credit) Faculty

»OPERA 523 – Advanced Opera Workshop
Building on the areas studied in Opera Workshop, this class provides more
detailed study in aria interpretation and performance, repertoire, audition
preparation, presentation, and performance, etc. in a broad array of styles.
Normally for second year graduate students, these studies are enhanced
with individual coaching and acting classes. Prerequisite OPERA 522 or
instructor’s permission. (0 credit) Faculty

»OPERA 524 – Advanced Opera Workshop
Continuation of OPERA 523. Prerequisite: OPERA 523. (0 credit) Faculty

»OPERA 541 – Acting Techniques for the Singer I
Study of acting and singing-acting techniques including: fundamentals of
acting, acting with the whole body, improvisation in speaking and singing
and monologue and aria dramatic analysis and performance. (0 Credit)
Faculty

»OPERA 542 – Acting Techniques for the Singer I
Continuation of OPERA 541. Prerequisite: OPERA 541 (0 credit) Faculty

»OPERA 543 – Acting Techniques for Singers II
Study of acting and singing-acting techniques including scene study,
advanced improvisation and character analysis. (0 Credit) Faculty

»OPERA 544 – Acting Techniques for Singers II
Continuation of OPERA 543. Prerequisite: OPERA 543 (0 credit) Faculty

»OPERA 551 – Movement I
Introduction to movement through body fundamentals and improvisation.
Emphasis on developing physical self awareness and stage presence.
Introduction to dance styles from the Renaissance through the present
day. In-class presentations of improvisations and combinations. (0 credit)
M. Sullivan

»OPERA 552 – Movement I
Continuation of OPERA 551. Prerequisites: OPERA 551. (0 credit)

»OPERA 553 – Movement II
Overview of movement styles including body fundamentals, improvisation,
and dance, including pilates and yoga warm-up, movement, games and
dance styles from the Renaissance through the present day. In class
presentations. (0 credit) M. Sullivan

»OPERA 554 – Movement II
Continuation of OPERA 553. Prerequisite: OPERA 553. (0 credit)

»OPERA 555 – Movement III
Exploration of various dance styles through ballet, opera and musical
theater choreography. Preparation and in-class performance of two pieces
per semester. (0 credit) M. Sullivan

»OPERA 556 – Movement III
Continuation of OPERA 555. Prerequisite: OPERA 555. (0 credit)

»OPERA 563 – Opera Diction
Practical study of pronunciation and enunciation in Italian, French, and
German, using the International Phonetic Alphabet. Required during the
first year of Opera Studies. (2 credits) Anderson-Collier, Moriarty

»OPERA 564 – Opera Diction
Continuation of OPERA 563. Prerequisite: OPERA 563. (2 credits)

»OPERA 581 – Graduate Opera Seminar
Intended for second year graduate students, this multi-faceted course
examines a broad range of topics related to opera studies in preparation
for a professional career in opera. Issues include aria work in master
class format, audition preparation, career advising, and performance
enhancement techniques. (1 credit) Bybee

»OPERA 582 – Graduate Opera Seminar
Continuation of OPERA 581. Prerequisites: OPERA 581. (1 credit) Bybee

»OPERA 691 – Opera Role in Full Production
Required of all Opera Studies majors. (0 credit)

2012-08-14