University of South Alabama
MUS 203 – Vocal Diction II
MW 11:15-12:05/LPAC 1230
Spring 2015
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Andre Chiang
LPAC 1027
460-6136
andrechiang@southalabama.edu
Course Description:
Vocal Diction II is designed to give the student the tools to analyze and perform vocal
repertoire in French and German. 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.
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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 French and German. Course work will consist of practical application
of IPA in repertoire preparation and performance beginning with French and then moving
into German. Appropriate songs will be assigned for study by the class in each language. In
addition to quizzes on the text material from both semesters, 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 French; one German, as well as an
oral reading component for both languages.
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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)
French and German Dictionary of the student’s choice (with IPA)
Supplementary Materials:
Diction, 3rd Edition, by John Moriarty (ECS Publishing, 2006)
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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.
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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.
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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 @ 5%
Two Performance Exams @ 25%
Class Participation/Quizzes
Final Exam
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10%
50%
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 203 Course Sequence, Spring 2015
Subject to adjustments as needed
1/11: French Overview
1/13: French Vowel Overview
1/18: French Consonant Overview, French pieces assigned, French Assignment #1 handed out
1/20: French Vowels in Detail, Fr. Assignment #1 graded in class
1/25: French Vowels in Detail Continued, Fr. Assignment #2 handed out, Quiz: Italian
1/27: French Consonants in Detail, Fr. Assignment #2 graded in class, Quiz: Italian Reading
2/1: French Consonants in Detail Continued, Quiz: French IPA
2/3: Unique to French: H's, elision, liaison, etc., Quiz: French IPA
2/8: French Reading, Fr. Assignment #3 handed out, Quiz: English and Italian IPA
2/10: French Reading continued, Fr. Assignment #3 graded in class, Quiz: Italian Reading
2/15: French song coachings begin, Quiz: French Reading
2/17: French song coachings continue
2/22: French song coachings continue, Quiz: French Reading
2/24: French song coachings continue
2/29: French song final sing in class, French song IPA due
3/2: German Overview
3/7: German Vowel Overview, Quiz: Italian
3/9: German Consonant Overview, German piece assigned, German Assignment #1 handed out
3/14-3/20: Spring Break
3/21: German Vowels in Detail, Ger. Assignment #1 graded in class
3/23: German Vowels in Detail Continued, Ger. Assignment #2 handed out
3/28: German Consonants in Detail, Ger. Assignment #2 graded in class, Quiz: German Vowels
3/30: German Consonants in Detail Continued, Ger. Assignment #3 handed out, Quiz: German IPA
4/4: Unique to German: achlauts, ichlauts, glottals, etc., Ger. Assignment #3 graded in class
4/6: German Reading, Quiz: French Reading
4/11: German Reading continued, Quiz: Italian Reading
4/13: German song coachings begin
4/18: German song coachings continue, Quiz: German Reading
4/20: German song coachings continue
4/25: German song coachings continue, Quiz: German Reading
4/27: German song final sing in class, German song IPA due
5/4: Final Exam 10:30AM-12:30PM