Voice Primary MUSC 181, 182, 281, 282, 381, 382, 481, 482, 483 - 83

Voice Secondary MUSC 171, 172, 271, 272, 371, 372, 471, 472 - 83

Voice Elective MUSC 155, 156, 255, 256, 355, 356, 455, 456-83

Fall 2006

Studio Meeting: Tuesday 4:30-5:30

Instructor:  Dr. Christopher Swanson

Email: swansoncl@longwood.edu Office: Wygal 226

Office Telephone:  395-2496 Office hours: TBA

Course Description:

Ø 2 or 3 credits for Applied Primary students. One 50 minute, individual lesson each week plus studio classes, departmental recitals and recitals.

Ø 1 credit for Applied Secondary students. One 30 minute, individual lesson each week plus studio classes, departmental recitals and recitals.

Course Objectives: 

The objectives for this course are to learn a technique for beautiful, healthy singing and to apply that technique to various pieces of music. Particular goals and objectives will be decided for each student on an individual basis.

Text and Required Materials: 

Ø All students, unless told otherwise, need to purchase:

Marchesi: Vocal Method, part I and part II; Library Vol. 1664 – complete.

The book is available at the Longwood Bookstore or on www.schirmer.com for about

$15.00.

Ø All students must have a metronome.

Ø All students must bring pencils, manuscript paper, the Marchesi book and their music to each lesson.

Ø Music will be assigned individually to students throughout the semester. This music will consist of vocal exercises, songs and possibly arias, depending upon the level of the student. Students must purchase their music and, for temporary use only, make photocopies. Students MAY NOT use the copy machine in the music building.

Course Content Outline:

Ø Weekly Lessons: Scheduled by the instructor. Each week you will attend your private lesson, which will be scheduled by me. In the lessons we will discuss and practice various points of vocal technique. We will work on exercises and repertoire. You must come warmed-up, dressed appropriately and on time.

Ø Departmental Recitals and Events: Thursday 3:30 – 4:30, Molnar Recital Hall. Each week you will be required to attend the Departmental Recital or Event. Each student will be required to perform a certain number of times in these recitals.

Ø Studio Class: Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30 (sometimes 3:30-4:30), location varies. In the Studio Class we will discuss a variety of topics (Relaxation, technique, performance, literature, diction, etc.). Students must sign up for times to perform in class. The sign-up sheet is next to Dr. Swanson’s door. Students will dress appropriately for their performances (not tuxedos and gowns, but look nice).

Course Requirements: You are required to:

1. Attend all scheduled meeting times and be prepared for them.

a. Lessons (individually scheduled):

Arrive on-time

Arrive warmed-up

Bring all necessary materials

Complete repertoire study sheets on time

Learn your music BEFORE coming to your lesson

b. Studio Class (Tuesday, 4:30-5:30):

Arrive on-time

Bring all necessary materials

Have your music learned and memorized when scheduled to perform

c. Departmental Recitals and Events (Tuesday, 3:30-4:30)

Arrive on-time

Have your music learned and memorized when scheduled to perform

2. Participate in all required activities. (Private lessons require your active participation through listening, demonstrating, and performing. You are required to give comments in studio class).
3. Practice at least 10 hours a week.
4. In Studio Classes, sing from memory the required number of times, participate in discussions.
5. Attend all live performances of vocal music during the semester and most recitals and concerts in other areas. Check the Longwood University Music Department web site for an up-to-date schedule.
6. Hire an accompanist. Rehearse with your accompanist for at least one-half hour each week. Have you accompanist come to half of each lesson.
7. Sing a final jury at the end of the semester and receive a passing grade. All repertoire will be selected by me, worked on in lessons during the semester, rehearsed with the accompanist, and sung from memory.
8. Complete your program notes on time *
9. Complete your second major project on time *
10. Complete other assignments on time. *

Grading:

To receive an A you must do all of the above requirements.

To receive a B, do 9 out of 10 of the above requirements.

To receive a C, do 8 out of 10 of the above requirements.

To receive a D, do 7 out of 10 of the above requirements.

* Items 8, 9, and 10 are graded pass or fail. If you turn in a project that is poorly written or unacceptable for some other reason, you may be asked to revise the project and submit it a second time. This is assuming there is enough time left in the semester for such a revision and is at the discretion of the instructor.

Accompanists: 

You must find a proficient accompanist for your lessons. I prefer that work with a faculty accompanist, for scheduling reasons. Your accompanist will attend half of each lesson as well as any performances that you may have during the semester (ie. Studio classes and departmental recitals). It is also your responsibility to schedule a weekly rehearsal time with the accompanist.

Juries: 

A jury before the voice faculty is required of all primary students. They take place at the end of each semester. Repertoire for the jury will be discussed with the instructor. Jury sheets must be typed and submitted in triplicate to the instructor not later than one week prior to the jury date.  Secondary students will not do a jury for the faculty but they will have to give a final graded performance.

Repertoire: 

Ø Secondary applied: Secondary students must learn and memorize at least 3 songs and/or arias each semester.  In some cases more than three selections will be assigned depending on the length and difficulty of the music and the level of the student.  Secondary juries take place during the last studio class.

Ø Primary applied, 2 credits: 

181: 5 songs and/or arias each semester

182: 6 songs and/or arias each semester.

281-482: 7 songs and/or arias each semester

282: Sophomore Promotional. At least 15 minutes of music must be learned and memorized. This is a speaking intensive project in which the student presents a musical program for the entire faculty and gives a spoken report on the music. The faculty will then ask questions concerning all aspects of the presented music.

483: Senior Capstone. A minimum of a half recital during 483. The amount of music in a recital will vary, approximately 30 minutes for a half recital. 

Ø Primary applied, 3 credits:

281-481: 8 songs and/or arias each semester and a self learned selection with a minimum of a half recital during 382 and a full recital during 483.

282: see above.

In some cases, additional repertoire will be assigned depending on the length and difficulty.

Note: If a student was assigned music during a previous semester, and it was not prepared at a satisfactory level, that repertoire will be added to the current semester.

Preparation:

It is your responsibility to learn the music that you are assigned. It is not my job to teach you notes. You must be prepared to work in each lesson. This means that you know the notes, rhythms, text, translation (word for word), and background of the music and poetry. The more you bring into a lesson the more you will get out of it. If you come to a lesson grossly unprepared I will ask you to leave.

Departmental Recitals: 

Ø 2 credit:

181: You are required to perform on ONE departmental recital

All others: You are required to perform on at least TWO departmental recitals

each semester.  These performances will be graded. 

Ø 3 credit:

You are required to perform on at least THREE departmental recitals each semester.

The student may choose on which Departmental Recital to perform. NOTE:  The student may NOT elect to perform two selections on one recital to meet the minimum requirement.  The student must submit a completed Departmental Recital Request Form to the instructor no later than one week prior to the Departmental Recital date.

NOTE:  All applied students are required to attend all departmental recitals.

Studio class:

Ø Primary students: must sign up AT LEAST 4 times,

Ø Secondary students and elective students: must sign up AT LEAST 2 times. You cannot sign up twice for a single class. If you sign up and cancel, then to receive credit you must sign up for a different day – don’t wait until the last four weeks! Each time you sing in class, you will sing at least one piece of music. You may sing more (time permitting) but it will only count as one credit. It is your responsibility to arrange to have your accompanist there on the day you sing. Classes in which no one has signed up will NOT necessarily be cancelled. For each piece of music that you present, you will need to give a brief spoken introduction. Dress appropriately for your studio class performances.

Projects:

There will be two semester long projects for each student each term.

Ø Project One will vary from term to term and will be announced during the first studio class. The due date is on the schedule.

Ø Project Two: each student is required to complete the Repertoire Study Sheets for each piece of music assigned to them and to write program notes for all of their assigned music. This entails a paragraph or two for each piece. Although this is not a formal research paper, you will be graded on the content, writing style, punctuation, and grammar. This is to be typed. The due date for this is on the schedule.

Concert Attendance: 

You are required to attend all vocal recitals/concerts in their entirety during the semester. 

Attendance Policy:

You are expected to attend all classes. Lessons canceled by the instructor will be made-up.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange the make-up time with the instructor and accompanist.  Lessons canceled by the student may be made up at a discretionary basis by the instructor.  Regardless of the cause, please let me know in advance if you will be absent. Work missed because of absences, obviously, cannot be made-up. If you miss 25% of the total number of class meetings in the semester because of unexcused absences you will fail the course.

“Students must assume full responsibility for any loss incurred because of absence, whether excused or unexcused…. Excused absences are those resulting from the student’s participation in a university sponsored activity, from recognizable emergencies, or from serious illness.”

(from the Faculty Manual: Policies and Procedures)

Honor Code Statement:

“We will not lie, cheat, steal, or plagiarize, nor will we tolerate those who do.”

“I, having a clear understanding of the basis and spirit of the Honor Code created and accepted by the students of Longwood, Farmville, Virginia, pledge myself to govern my life at Longwood according to its standards and to accept my responsibility for helping others to do so, and with sensitive regard for my institution, to live by the Honor Code at all times and to see that others do likewise.”

FALL 2006 - - Dr. Swanson

Weekly Schedule of studio classes and departmentals (subject to change). All Studio classes are held in room #105 unless otherwise marked.

Please sign up to sing in studio class. Every Primary student must sign up AT LEAST 4 times, and secondary or elective students AT LEAST 2 times. You cannot sign up twice for a single class. If you sign up and cancel, then, to receive credit, you must sign up for a different day – don’t wait until the last four weeks! Each time you sing in class, you will sing at least one piece of music. You may sing more (time permitting) but it will only count as one credit. It is your responsibility to arrange to have your accompanist there on the day you sing. Classes in which no one has signed up will NOT necessarily be cancelled. For each piece of music that you present, you will need to give a brief spoken introduction. Dress appropriately for your studio class performances.

WEEK	DATE	Location (Subject to change – check office door)	Topic/Due dates	Other important events going on this week
Week 1	Studio Class August 29, 3:30-4:30	WYG 105	Introduction & Syllabus
	Departmental August 31, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Departmental Meeting
Week 2	Studio Class September 5, 4:30-5:30	WYG 105		Sept. 4 – Labor Day. LU closed Sept. 9 – Camerata Workshop
	Departmental September 7, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Senior’s Recital
Week 3	Studio Class September 12, 4:30-5:30	Molnar Auditorium		Sept. 12 - Polynesian South Sea Dancers, Wygal Hall, 8 pm Sept. 13-16 – Dr. Swanson out of town Sept. 14 – Convocation, 3:30 Sept. 16 - Chamber Series, Mardirossian and Phillips, violin and piano, Wygal Hall, 7:30
	September 14, No Departmental		Go to convocation
Week 4	Studio Class September 19, 4:30-5:30	WYG 105		Sept. 21 – Rehearsal for Durham Savoyards, 7:00 Sept. 23 – Habitat for Humanity Benefit Concert, New Life Church, Cumberland Co. 7:00pm (Dr. Swanson is singing at this) Sept. 24 – Durham Savoyards Concert, 4:00
	Departmental September 21, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Freshman Honor’s Recital
Week 5	Studio Class September 26, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium		Sept. 25 – Saxophone recital: Dr. Kinzer & Dr. Kinzer
	Departmental September 28, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Departmental Recital
Week 6	Studio Class October 3, 4:30-5:30	WYG 105	MID-TERMS: All students sing	Oct. 2-6 – Midterm Week Oct. 6 – Honor Choir Auditions, 4:00 Oct. 7 – Honor Choir Auditions, all day Oct. 7 – Recital: Dr. Swanson & Dr. Kinzer, Buckingham Art Center, 7:00
	Departmental October 5, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Departmental Recital
Week 7	Studio Class October 10, 4:30-5:30	Molnar Auditorium		Oct. 10 – Auditions for Holiday Dinner, 3:30 Oct. 10 – Recital: Dr. Swanson and Jim Kidd, Hampden Sydney College, 7:30 Oct. 12 - LU Jazz Ensembles, Jarman theatre, 7:30
	October 12 No departmental	Molnar Auditorium	Recital Hearings
Week 8	October 17 Fall Break No Studio	No Studio		Oct. 16 & 17 – Fall Break. Oct. 21 - Barry Drake, lecture on History of Rock, Lankford ballroom, 9 pm.
	October 19, No departmental		Recital Hearing
Week 9	Studio Class October 24, 4:30-5:30	WYG 105		Oct. 25 - LU Wind Symphony, Jarman theatre, 7:30 pm. Oct. 27 – Studio Recital, Prizery Theater, South Boston, VA, 8:00 pm
	Departmental August 31, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Departmental Recital
Week 10	Studio Class October 31, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium		Oct. 30 - Washington Saxophone Quartet, Wygal Hall, 7:30 pm. Oct. 31 – Flute Recital: Mary Ann Archer, Hampden Sydney College, 11:30am Nov. 2 - LU Choral ensembles, Wygal Hall, 7:30 pm. Nov. 4 - Nathan Koch, senior recital (sax) - Wygal, 7:30 pm.
	Departmental November 1, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Departmental Recital
Week 11	Studio Class November 7, 4:30-5:30	WYG 105		Nov. 6 – Advising begins Nov. 9 – Auditions for soloists to sing with the the Wind Ensemble in Spring Semester. Nov. 10 - Tiffany Graves, senior recital, Wygal, 7:30pm. Nov. 11 - Beth Reynolds, senior recital, Wygal, 7:30pm.
	Departmental November 9, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Departmental Recital
Week 12	Studio Class November 14, 4:30-5:30	Molnar Auditorium		Nov. 16 – 18 – VMEA convention.
	November 16, No Departmental	No Departmental
Week 13	Studio Class November 21, 3:30-5:30	WYG 105	Masterclass with Michael Harper	Nov. 21 – Masterclass with Michael Harper (this is a mandatory event). Nov. 23-24 – Thanksgiving Break Nov. 26 – Recital, Dr. Swanson and Michael Harper, The Prizery Theater, South Boston VA, 8:00pm
	November 23, No Departmental	No Departmental
Week 14	Studio Class November 28, NO STUDIO	NO STUDIO CLASS		Nov. 28 – Recital, Dr. Swanson and Michael Harper, Hampden Sydney College, 7:00pm Nov. 30 – Advent Lessons & Carols Service at Johns Memorial Episc. Church, Dr. Swanson conducting, featuring Michael Harper. Dec. 1-Dec. 4 – Dr. Swanson out of town. Dec. 1, Holiday Dinner I, 6:30 Dec. 2, Holiday Dinner II, 6:30 Dec. 3, Holiday Donner III, 5:00
	Departmental November 30, 3:30-4:30
Week 15	Studio Class December 5, 4:30-5:30	Molnar Auditorium	Mock Juries	Dec. 6 - LU Jazz Ensemble B and combos, Wygal hall, 7:00 pm. Dec. 8 – Camerata Choir sings at the Rotunda, 3:00pm Dec. 8 – Last day of classes.
	Departmental December 7, 3:30-4:30	Molnar Auditorium	Departmental Recital