University of South Alabama
MUS 202 – Vocal Diction I
MW 11:15-12:05/LPAC 1230
Fall 2015
•
Andre Chiang
LPAC 1027
460-6136
andrechiang@southalabama.edu
Course Description:
Vocal Diction I is designed to give the student the tools to analyze and perform vocal
repertoire in English and Italian. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as the
primary analysis tool, students will develop the skills necessary to sing intelligently in either
of the two languages. Through guided discovery of the particular nuances, inflections, and
idioms of each language, students will develop ease and expertise in the performance of
vocal literature.
•
Content and Objectives:
This course consists of lecture, presentation, demonstration, performance lab, and active
discussion of the rules governing pronunciation and the use of appropriate IPA symbols for
the sung languages of English and Italian. Course work will consist of practical application of
IPA in repertoire preparation and performance beginning with English and then moving into
Italian. Appropriate songs will be assigned for study by the class in each language. In
addition to quizzes on the text material, students will be evaluated on their ability to sing
each language in performance quizzes on the assigned songs. The final exam will include
IPA analysis of two new songs: one English; one Italian, as well as an oral reading
component for both languages.
•
Required Materials:
International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers by Joan Wall
(Caldwell Publishing, formerly PST, Inc. 1989)
Diction for Singers 2nd Edition by Joan Wall, Robert Caldwell, Tracy Gavilanes, Shelia Allen
(Caldwell Publishing, 1990)
A Handbook of Diction for Singers 2nd Edition by David Adams
(Oxford University Press, 2008)
Italian Dictionary of the student’s choice (with IPA)
Supplementary Materials:
501 Italian Verbs, 3rd Edition, by Colaneri, Danesi and Luciani (Barron’s 2007)
Diction, 3rd Edition, by John Moriarty (ECS Publishing, 2006)
•
Attendance:
Regular class attendance is imperative for successful assimilation and application of the
material. Three absences will result in the automatic lowering of the student’s semester
grade by one grade level. Four absences will result in the student being dropped from the
course.
•
Office Hours:
At least 6 (six) hours of office time each week are made available for the student to meet
with the professor as is necessary and by appointment.
•
Grading Criteria:
All tests, assignments, exams, and labs will receive a letter grade in accordance with the
following percentages:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
0-59% = F
Final grades will be calculated according to the following percentages:
Two Final IPA Transcriptions @ 10%
Two Performance Exams @ 20%
Class Participation/Quizzes
Final Exam
•
20%
40%
20%
20%
Fall Semester 2015:
Some measure of flexibility will be factored into the course schedule to allow for weather
emergencies, etc. Since all classes do not progress at the same rate, this schedule and
other requirements may be modified as circumstances dictate. Appropriate advance notice
will be given in writing during class in an effort to conform to the spirit of policy statement
6.3.1 of the University of South Alabama Faculty Handbook. Regular class attendance will
insure that students are informed as to any changes made in the semester schedule or other
course requirements.
•
Academic Disruption Policy:
The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Academic Disruption is found in The
Lowdown, the student handbook:
http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicdisruption.shtml:
Disruptive academic behavior is defined as individual or group conduct that interrupts or
interferes with any educational activity or environment, infringes upon the rights and
privileges of others, results in or threatens the destruction of property and/or is otherwise
prejudicial to the maintenance of order in an academic environment.
Students are expected to maintain cordiality, courteousness, and respectful treatment of
faculty members and fellow students.
•
Student Academic Conduct Policy:
The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Student Academic Conduct is found in
The Lowdown, the student handbook:
http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicconductpolicy.shtml:
The University of South Alabama is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom
of inquiry, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of the individual are
sustained. The University is committed to supporting the exercise of any right guaranteed to
individuals by the Constitution and the Code of Alabama and to educating students relative
to their responsibilities.
Students who fail to comply with the standards of academic integrity as set forth by the
University will be penalized through lowered grading initially and any infraction will be
communicated to the department chair. Further infractions will result in academic
misconduct proceedings at the college level.
•
Students with Disabilities:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities
will be afforded reasonable accommodation. The Office of Special Student Services (OSSS)
will certify a disability and advise your faculty members of reasonable accommodations. If
you have a specific disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please notify
the instructor/professor and provide certification from the Office of Special Student Services.
OSSS is located at 5828 Old Shell Road at Jaguar Drive, (251-460-7212).
MUS 202 Course Sequence, Fall 2015
Subject to adjustments as needed
August 19:
Syllabus, Introduction to International Phonetic Alphabet, Transcription
IPA Chapters 1-3
August 24:
IPA Chapter 4: Forward Vowels
IPA Chapter 5: Back Vowels
August 26:
IPA Chapter 6: Central Vowels
IPA Chapter 7: Diphthongs + Triphthongs
Assignment of English Song
August 31:
IPA Chapter 8: Introduction to Consonants
IPA Chapter 9: Stop-Plosive Consonants
September 2:
IPA Chapter 10: Nasal Consonants
IPA Chapter 11: Fricative Consonants
IPA Chapter 12: The Lateral Consonant
September 7:
Labor Day
September 9:
IPA Chapter 13: Glides
IPA Chapter 14: The Combination Consonants
September 14:
Review of English IPA
Reading Sonnets in English
Preliminary IPA of English Song due (optional)
September 16:
English IPA Quiz #1 (Open Book)
Review of Quiz #1
September 21:
Coachings of English Song
September 23:
Coachings of English Song continued
English IPA Quiz #2 (Open Book)
Review Quiz #2
September 28:
Coachings of English Song continued
September 30:
Coachings of English Song continued
English IPA Quiz #3 (Closed Book)
Review Quiz #3
October 5:
Performance Exam: English Song
Final IPA of English Song Due
October 7:
Introduction to Italian Vowels Part I “a, e, i”: Wall – pp. 63-65, 76-92, Adams –
pp. 4-8
Assignment of Italian song
October 12:
Vowels Part II “ o, u”: Wall – pp. 93-102, Adams – pp.4-8
Special features of Italian vowels: Wall – pp. 57-58
October 14:
Long and Short vowels: Wall – pp. 61-62, Adams – pp. 35-38
Consecutive vowels: Wall – pp. 68-75, Adams – pp. 8-9, 15-21, 38-41
October 19:
Special features of Italian Consonants: Wall – pp. 56-67, Adams pp. 21-22, 3234
Consonants Part I “b - k”: Wall – pp. 103-112, Adams – pp. 28-29, 31-32
October 21:
Consonants Part II “l - z”: Wall – pp. 112-124, Adams – pp. 22-28, 29-31, 32
October 26:
Phrasing, singing, and musical settings of Italian: Adams – pp. 41-62
October 28:
Review: Vowels and Consonants
Preliminary IPA of Italian song due
November 2:
Italian IPA Overview
Italian IPA Quiz #1 (Open Book)
Review Quiz #1
November 4:
Coachings of Italian Song
Italian IPA Quiz #2 (Open Book)
Review Quiz #2
November 9:
Coachings of Italian Song continued
Italian IPA Quiz #3 (Open Book)
Review Quiz #3
November 11:
Coachings of Italian Song continued
Italian IPA Quiz #4 (Open Book)
Review Quiz #4
November 16:
Coachings of Italian Song continued
Italian IPA Quiz #5 (Open Book)
Review Quiz #5
November 18:
Coachings of Italian Song continued
Italian IPA Quiz #6 (Closed Book)
Review Quiz #6
November 23:
Coachings of Italian Song continued
Reading in Italian
November 25:
Thanksgiving
November 30:
Performance Exam: Italian Song
Final IPA of Italian Song Due
December 2:
Review for Final Exam
Reading in Italian
December 9:
Final Exam, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.