KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
KUTZTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
MUS 193
FRENCH LYRIC DICTION FOR SINGERS
Approved by Department: February 5, 2008
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a study in the correct manner of singing French lyric diction. Students are
introduced to the International Phonetic Alphabet as a means for studying the language. The
course is designed to be taken by voice students who are concurrently enrolled in applied voice
Prerequisite: MUP 239 (Applied Voice)
1 semester hour
2 clock hours
II. COURSE RATIONALE
The student, singer, or teacher of singers must be able to pronounce and sing French texts with
linguistic accuracy. This course provides the student with a facility in French lyric diction with
an interest in a fluent, clear and articulate performance of assigned repertoire. It is essential for
any singer to be able to pronounce/sing French texts correctly, understandably, with clarity, and
with as little regional accent as possible.
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Phoneticize and prepare texts from French art songs.
2. Accurately form sounds of the French language for singing.
3. Enunciate lyrics from French art song literature.
4. Identify the correct sounds of singing French.
IV. ASSESSMENT
Assessment of each student’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course objectives
will be based upon a subset of the following:
1. Demonstration of proficiency with the IPA.
2. Transcription and enunciation of French vocal literature.
3. Written exams, quizzes and assignments.
4. Performance assignments.
V. COURSE OUTLINE
1. International Phonetic Alphabet
2. Syllabification
a. Single consonant
b. Two Consonants
c. Three Consonants
d. Consecutive Vowels
3. Stressing
4. Special Features of French Diction
a. Mixed Vowels
b. Glides
5. The Pure Vowels {e) and {o}
6. Mute and Aspirate h
7. The Enya
8. Nasal Vowels
a. Closed Nasal Vowels
b. Open Nasal Vowels
9. Pronounced and Silent Consonants
10. Final Mute e
11. Rules for Liaison and Elision
12. Using Flipped {r} for French Lyric Diction
13. Legato as the Defining Characteristic of French Lyric Diction
VI. Instructional Resources
Adler, Kurt. Phonetics and Diction in Singing. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis,
MN 1965
Bernac, Pierre. The Interpretation of French Song. Praeger Publisher, New York 1970.
Cox, Richard G. The Singer’s Manual of German and French Diction. G. Schirmer, New York
1970.
__________, Favorite French Art Songs. Hal Leonard Corporation, Milwaukee, WI 1992.
Girard, Denis. Cassell’s French Dictionary. Macmillan Publishing Col, New York 1981.
Grubb, Thomas. Singing in French. Schirmer Books, New York 1979.
Jones, Archie; Smit, M. Irving; and Walls, Robert E. Hip Pockets Pronouncing Guide to
French. Carl Fischer, New York 2002.
Kimball, Carol and Richard Walters. The French Song Anthology. Hal Leonard Corporation,
Milwaukee, WI 2006.
Kagen, Sergius, ed. Forty French Songs for Voice and Piano. International Music Company,
New York 1961.
Montgomery, Cheri. French Lyric Diction Workbook. S.T.M. Publishers, Nashville, TN 2006
Moriarty, John. Diction. E.C. Schirmer Music Co., Boston, MA 1975.
Steiner, Roger J. The Bantam New College French and English Dictionary. Bantam Books,
New York 1972.
Wall, Joan; Robert Caldwell; Tracy Gavilanes; and Sheila Allen. Diction for Singers.
Pst…Inc., Dallas, Texas 1990.
Wall, Joan. International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers. Pst…Inc., Dallas, Texas 1989.