Voice Performance Studies Competencies

General Musicianship

• The student will demonstrate a basic music reading ability. He/she should be able to learn (independently) assigned repertory and technique.
• The student should sing learned repertory with good intonation, rhythmic accuracy and a sensitivity to phrasing and the interplay between vocalist and accompanist.

Vocal Technique

• The student will demonstrate an increased understanding of the essentials of vocal production, e.g., body alignment, use of muscles needed for strong breath coordination, legato singing and appropriate resonance for each tone.
• The student should demonstrate consistent vocal growth commensurate with age and previous singing experience, and to a degree appropriate for this level of university study.

Repertoire

All students at 1000 level will be assigned pieces appropriate for their level of vocal development, aptitude, and major.  At the discretion of the performance studies teacher, literature in languages other than English may be assigned. Music Theatre Performance majors should expect that 10 percent of the assigned pieces will be from the standard classical repertoire. The balance may be from musical theatre, operetta, cabaret or other genres deemed appropriate by the applied teacher.

1000 Level Repertoire Guidelines

Performance Studies Notebook: Voice (1000 Level)

All voice students at 1000 level are required to maintain a Performance Studies Notebook (loose-leaf binder preferred) including the following:

• Verbatim (word-for-word) translations of texts of each foreign language song studied during the semester
• Phonetic (IPA) spellings of texts (this may be combined with the verbatim translation). This should be done for all Italian or other approved foreign language texts in Semester I, and for all texts (including English) in Semester II. Performance Studies instructors may modify this requirement to suit the skill level of each student.
• Paraphrasing (a summary of one or two sentences in one’s own words) of each text. This is to be done for English as well as foreign language texts. (The purpose of the exercises above is to acquaint the student with an important means of approaching the study of vocal literature: thorough analysis of text and music.)
• A paragraph giving a brief biographical sketch of the composer of each song or aria studied and any significant information about the song or aria (is it from a song cycle? What opera or oratorio? Etc.). Indicate also whether or not a recording of the piece or total work has been located and listened to.
• All materials related to voice Performance Studies (notes on lessons, any photocopies in use, vocalizes and repertory lists)
• Other materials as required by individual Performance Studies instructors
• This notebook will be graded on its completeness, organization and legibility.

Performance Requirements

End of Semester Evaluations

All students will perform for the faculty at the end of each semester of study. Students should be prepared to sing from memory selections that are representative of the repertoire studied. Majors may be asked to sing appropriate scales and intervals during the exam. All voice students seeking to advance to the 2000 level of study must perform literature in both English and at least one other language.

Minimum 1000 Level Evaluation Repertoire

Student Recitals

• All students whose major instrument is voice are exempt from the Student Recital performance requirement in the first semester of study, although they are encouraged to perform if their voice instructor approves. All but non-majors are required to perform on at least one Student Recital in subsequent semesters of study at the 1000 level.
• Any waiver of these requirements is at the discretion of the performance studies teacher.

General Musicianship

• The student will demonstrate further development in sight-reading skills.
• Beyond requirements of Level 1000, the student should demonstrate an understanding of the form of each piece studied.

Vocal Technique

• The student will demonstrate continued development of breath coordination, increased tonal resonance, ability to sing staccato, marcato and legato phrases, and increased flexibility and freedom.
• The student will exhibit, both in the studio and in performance, the ability to sing with careful attention to good diction as well as correct vocal production.

Repertoire

At the 2000 level of study, all music majors and minors will be assigned pieces in English, Italian and German, and one piece may be from the music theatre repertory. Students are encouraged to work on repertory in other foreign languages, particularly those previously studied.

Interdisciplinary majors and Music Theatre Performance majors will be assigned pieces in English and Italian, and at least 50 percent will continue to be from the standard classical repertory. Once minimum requirements have been satisfied, a student may select repertory from other genres with the permission of the Performance Studies instructor. It is recommended that 75 percent of the selections be memorized.

2000 Level Minimum Repertory Assignments

** Study beyond the 1000 level is optional for these students.

Performance Studies Notebook: Voice (2000 Level)

All students at 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels will maintain a Performance Studies notebook that includes the following:

• Verbatim (word for word) translations of texts of each foreign language song studied during the semester.
• Phonetic (IPA) spellings of texts, foreign language and English (this may be combined with the verbatim translation)
• A paraphrasing, in English, of each text. This is to be done for English texts as well as foreign.
• A brief historical sketch of your character (in the song or aria), leading up to the time you express yourself in the song or aria being studies. (The purpose of this exercise is: 1) to acquaint students with varied ways of approaching the study and interpretation of vocal literature through a) analysis of text and music, and b) the application of acting techniques; and 2) to explore ways of personalizing material while fulfilling the composer’s intent.)
• A paragraph giving a brief biographical sketch of the composer of each song or aria, and any significant information about the song or aria studied (Is it from a song cycle? Which opera or oratorio? etc). Indicate also whether or not you have located and listened to a recording of the piece.
• All materials related to voice Performance Studies (notes on lessons, and photocopies in use, vocalizes and repertory lists, as well as the information above).
• Other materials as required by individual Performance Studies instructors.
• This notebook will be graded on its completeness, organization and legibility.

End of Semester Evaluations

All students will perform for the faculty at the end of each semester of study. Students should be prepared to sing from memory selections that are representative of the repertoire studied. Majors may be asked to sing appropriate scales and intervals during the exam. All voice students seeking to advance to the 3000 level of study must perform literature in both English and Italian. Voice Performance/Pedagogy and Music Education majors must offer at least one selection in German, French, or a language deemed appropriate by the performance studies teacher.

Please note: The 2000 level advancement jury is a particularly important one. It is at this point that the appropriateness of the major for each student will be evaluated. A student’s performance in other course work within the major may be factored into the faculty recommendations.

• If significant vocal progress has not been achieved but future success in the major seems to remain a possibility, then a third semester of study at the 2000 level will be the most likely recommendation.
• If significant vocal progress has not been achieved and future success in the major appears to be unlikely, then the student will be counseled to consider other academic options.
• Students must advance to the 3000 level in order to perform a Junior Recital.

2000 Level Minimum Repertoire for End of Semester Evaluations

**All Music/Voice and Theatre/Music Theatre Performance majors seeking to advance to the 3000 level of study will be assigned one selection which must be prepared for jury performance without the aid of the Performance Studies teacher or the accompanist (for note learning). The studio teacher will select the piece and give it to the student three weeks prior to Jury Examinations. This requirement is in addition to those stated in the chart above. Students may have one short (15 min.) rehearsal with their assigned accompanist prior to the jury for the purpose of creating a musical/expressive performance. The accompanist may not assist with the learning of pitches and rhythms, but may coach the singer regarding issues of performance.

Student Recitals

• 1. B.A. Music, B.S. Music Ed., and B.A. Theatre/Music Theatre Performance majors are required to perform on at least one Student Recital each semester.
• Music minors and Interdisciplinary majors must perform on at least one Student Recital during the 2000 level of study.
• Any waiver of these requirements is at the discretion of the Performance Studies teacher.

Additional Performances

As proficiency and self-confidence increase, the student should take advantage of additional performing opportunities, e.g., soloist with major ensembles, church soloist, chamber music with other student musicians. The student must discuss with the instructor any proposed solo performance.

General Musicianship

• The student will demonstrate continued maturation in vocal interpretive skills as evidence by increased attention to stylistic differences, phrasing and dynamic shading.
• The student should give evidence of increased facility in learning accurately and independently all music assigned.

Vocal Technique

• The student will display greater consistency in correct vocal production. There should be less regression in technique when under performance pressure.
• The student will extend the range of voice, and continue to develop good resonance, breath management and an increased range of dynamic shading.

Repertoire

At the 3000 level of study, all music majors will be assigned pieces in English, Italian, German and French. Music minors will be assigned pieces in English, Italian and German. For both music majors and minors, one musical theatre piece may be included in the minimum repertory assignment. Students are encouraged to work on repertory in other foreign languages, particularly those previously studied.

Interdisciplinary majors and Music Theatre Performance majors will be assigned pieces in English and Italian, and at least 50 percent will continue to be from the standard classical repertory. Once minimum requirements have been satisfied, a student may select repertory from other genres with the permission of the Performance Studies instructor.

It is recommended that 75 percent of the selections be memorized.

3000 Level Minimum Repertoire Assignments

**Study above the 2000 level is optional for these students.

Performance Studies Notebook: Voice (3000 Level)

Requirements are the same as for Level 2000.

Performance Requirements

End of Semester Evaluations

• All students will perform for the faculty at the end of each semester of study. Students should be prepared to sing from memory selections that are representative of the repertory studied.
• Advancement to the 4000 level of study will signify that performances now demonstrate a high level of technical mastery, musicality and expression. Students must be advanced to the 4000 level in order to perform the Senior Recital.
• Advancement to the 4000 level of study is permitted only for students in the B.A. Music/Voice/all options, the B.S. Music Ed./voice, the B.A. Theatre/Music Theatre Performance option and the B.A./B.S. Interdisciplinary major (students who have included voice Performance Studies at the 4000 level in the contract for the major).
• B.A. Music/Voice Performance & Pedagogy and B.S. Music Ed./voice majors seeking to advance to the 4000 level of study must offer literature in English, Italian, German and one other language.
• B.A. Music/other option majors seeking to advance to the 4000 level of study must offer literature in English, Italian and one other language. The remaining literature may reflect the focus of the music option.
• B.A. Theatre/Music Theatre Performance majors seeking to advance to the 4000 level of study must include in the jury literature two selections from the classical vocal repertory, one in English and one in Italian. The remainder of the jury repertory offered should be from among the various music theatre genres.
• B.A./B.S. Interdisciplinary students seeking to advance to the 4000 level of study must offer literature in English, Italian and German. Other literature may reflect the focus of the Interdisciplinary major contract.

Minimum 3000 Level Evaluation Repertoire

***All Music/Voice and Theatre/Music Theatre Performance majors seeking to advance to the 4000 level of study will be assigned one selection which must be prepared for performance without the aid of the Performance Studies teacher or the accompanist (for note learning). The studio teacher will select the piece and give it to the student three weeks prior to End of Semester Evaluations. This requirement is in addition to those stated in the chart above. Students may have one short (15 min.) rehearsal with their assigned accompanist prior to the evaluation for the sole purpose of creating a musical/expressive performance. The accompanist may not assist with the learning of pitches and rhythms, but may coach the singer regarding the issues of performance.

Student Recitals

• B.A. Music/all options, B.S. Music Education, B.A. Theatre/Music Theatre Performance, and B.A./B.S. Interdisciplinary majors are required to perform on at least one Student Recital each semester during the 3000 level of study.
• If Music minors and Music students studying voice as a second instrument continue their study into the 3000 level, then they, too, must perform on at least one Student Recital each semester.

Junior Recitals

Only those students whose degree program requires a Junior Recital may present a departmentally-sponsored junior recital.

1. B.A. Music/Voice Performance & Pedagogy majors are required to enroll in MU 3010 and to present a Junior Recital in one of the semesters of study at the 3000 level. This generally takes the form of one half a program that is shared with another student performer. All departmental procedures for scheduling a public recital performance must be followed. Students must also perform a pre-recital jury (at least four weeks prior to the date of the public performance), and prepare program copy and program notes as described for the Senior Recital (see 4000 level A.7, 8, 9).
2. B.A. Music/ Music Technology options majors with voice as the major instrument are required to either present a solo recital or to complete a Music Technology project. These students should consult with both the voice teacher and the head of the Music Technology program to determine whether the solo recital or the music technology project would be more appropriate for them. These students should register for MU 3010 and follow all of the guidelines for recitals in #1 above.

Additional Performances

As proficiency and self-confidence increase, the student should take advantage of additional performing opportunities, e.g., soloist with major ensembles, church soloist, chamber music with other student musicians. The student must discuss with the instructor any proposed solo performance.

General Musicianship

The student will exhibit a high degree of musicianship in all performance skills developed in vocal study at the University.

Vocal Technique

• The student will demonstrate consistency in correct, expressive vocal production.
• The student should possess sufficient stamina to sustain an extended performance such as that required to complete graduation requirements.
• The student will continue to explore the potential of his/her voice in the areas of range, flexibility, strength, focus, dynamics and clarity of diction.

Repertoire and Performance Requirements

At the 4000 level of study, all B.A. and B.S. music majors will be assigned pieces in English, Italian, German and French; one musical theatre piece may be included in the minimum repertoire assignment. Students are encouraged to work on repertoire in other foreign languages, particularly those previously studied.

Interdisciplinary majors and Music Theatre Performance majors will be assigned pieces in English and Italian, and at least 50 percent will continue to be from the standard classical repertoire. Once minimum requirements have been satisfied, a student may select repertoire from other genres with the permission of the Performance Studies instructor.

The quantity of repertoire studied each semester should be no less than at the 3000 level. It is recommended that 75 percent of the selections be memorized.

Music minors and non-music majors do not generally study voice at the 4000 level.

B.A. Music/Voice Performance & Pedagogy and B.S. Music Education majors.

1. The focus of study at the 4000 level is preparation for the required final Senior Performance: either a Jury in Lieu of Recital or a Senior Recital (a full or a half solo recital). In order to perform the Senior Recital for public, a recital jury examination must be performed for music faculty no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled recital date. See elsewhere in this Music Student Handbook for a description of the process for gaining approval to schedule and to perform a public recital.
2. A. Music/Voice Performance and Pedagogy Majors are required to enroll in MU 4010 and to present a Senior Recital in one of the semesters of study at the 4000 level. This must be a full solo recital.
3. S. Music Education Majors are required to present a Senior Recital. This generally takes the form of a full solo recital or one half a program that is shared with another student performer. Students performing a full solo recital may choose to enroll in MU 4010.
4. The vocal literature included in the final performance must represent a variety of musical styles and periods. At least four languages must be represented, and all music, with the exception of chamber, should be sung from memory.
5. The full solo program should be planned to include at least 40 minutes but not more than 45 minutes of music, and the half program should include at least 25 but no more than 30 minutes of music, distributed according to the following outline: a. Music from the Medieval through Classical Periods
   German Lieder
   c. French mélodie or Spanish art songs
   d. American, British or Canadian art songs in English
   e. Opera or oratorio arias, and/or a chamber music piece, according to the interest and capabilities of the vocalist.
   f. At the discretion of the Performance Studies teacher, the student may include a short group of high-quality music theatre or other specialty material. Such selections may not substitute for other requirements as outline in a.–e. above, and the student should be aware that graduate schools are not impressed by Senior Recital programs that include anything other than “classical” vocal music pieces.
6. All department procedures for scheduling a public recital performance must be followed.
7. The Recital Jury must be performed for a faculty committee no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled date of the public performance. Everyone who will perform on the recital must participate in the jury. All members of the faculty jury panel must be supplied with a copy of the recital program, in the format in which it will be printed. The faculty hearing the jury have the option to require that some pieces be excluded from the public performance, or even that the performance be canceled due to inadequate preparation.
8. Program notes will be written by each recitalist. These will be generated from the research on each piece that has been included in the Performance Studies notebook. Notes should be submitted to the Performance Studies teacher for editing two weeks prior to the date of the recital.

B.A. Music/Contract option and B.A./B.S. Interdisciplinary majors

A Senior Recital is not required for these majors. However, they may perform a full or half Senior Recital under the following conditions:

1. A student must be enrolled in 4000 level Performance Studies for the semester in which the Senior Recital will be performed.
2. The Department process for securing permission to schedule and to perform a public solo recital must be followed in all respects, including the recital jury, which must be presented for the faculty no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled performance date.
3. At least 50 percent of the repertoire performed must be from the Classical vocal repertoire.
4. Program notes will be written by each recitalist. These will be generated from the research on each piece that has been included in the Performance Studies notebook. Notes should be submitted to the Performance Studies teacher for editing two weeks prior to the date of the recital.

B.A. Music/Music Technology option/voice as primary instrument

A Senior Recital is required for these majors, but its content will reflect the focus of this option. If solo vocal performance is included in the Senior Recital, then the following conditions must be met:

1. The Performance Studies instructor must approve the vocal repertoire that will be performed.

B.A. Theatre/Music Theatre Performance majors.

A Senior Recital is not required for these majors. However, they may perform a full or half Senior Recital under the following conditions:

1. A student must be enrolled in 4000 level voice Performance Studies for the semester in which the Senior Recital will be performed.
2. The department process for securing permission to schedule and to perform a public solo recital must be followed in all respects, including the recital jury, which must be presented for the faculty no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled performance date.
3. Students who present a full solo Senior Recital may choose to enroll in MU 4010.
4. Program notes will be written by each recitalist. These will be generated from the research on each piece that has been included in the Performance Studies notebook. Notes should be submitted to the Performance Studies teacher for editing two weeks prior to the date of the recital.

Performance Studies Notebook

• All students of singing must keep a Performance Studies notebook. Requirements are the same as at the 3000 level of study.
• In the semester in which the Senior Recital is performed, a student is exempted from submitting the Performance Studies Notebook at the end of the semester.

End of Semester Evaluations

• All students will perform for the faculty at the end of each semester of study. Students should be prepared to sing from memory selections that are representative of the repertoire studied.
• At the end of the semester in which the Senior Recital has been performed, and at this time only, the student is exempted from performing an evaluation at the end of the semester.

4000 Level Minimum End of Semester Evaluation Repertoire