HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE CENTRAL
COURSE SYLLABUS AND GUIDELINES
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MUSI1183: CRN20916
VOICE CLASS 1
Fall 2012
FAC 115
Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00-2:30
INSTRUCTOR: KATHLEEN KNIGHT
PHONE: (713) 718-6614,(713) 718-6600 (Fine Arts Office)
E-MAIL: kathleen.knight@hccs.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To introduce fundamentals of singing, breath
management, placement, diction, and standard music repertoire. To give students the
opportunity to perform solos in a small group
setting for other students, and to perform in a recital
at the end of the semester.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Foundations in Singing 8th ed., by John Glenn
Paton, McGraw-Hill Publisher.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Knowledge about the ability to assume and maintain
correct singing posture
Development of correct breathing and breath management
Demonstrate through singing the correct production of
vowels and consonants and their coordination
Sing with accurate intonation
Sing with correct diction in each language
Perform music with text, pitch and rhythmic accuracy
Sing with a relaxed, free tonal production
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Demonstrate effective communication and interpretation of
the text
Perform with a basic understanding of musical phrasing,
dynamics and style
Sing with good stage presence and poise
COURSE OUTLINE:
Lesson 1:
Introduction and Chapter 1: Can I Learn to Sing?
How can I improve my voice? What will I need?
Exercises
Lesson 2:
Chapter 2: Breathing
Body and head alignment, rib expansion, and
Abdominal exercises, stretching exercises
Vocal exercises. Start to choose a solo song
Lesson 3:
Chapter 3: Tone
What does tone quality mean? Vocal acoustics,
Resonance, feeling, hearing, intonation, range
Vocal exercises
Lesson 4:
Chapter 4: Changing resonances in your voice.
Discussion and discovery of chest and head voice, belt and
pop singing, vibrato, voice types
Vocal exercises and individual songs
Lesson 5:
Chapter 5: Preparing a Song
Choosing a song. How to learn a song, Words,
Rhythm and melody. Phrasing, catch breaths,
Interpretation, Vocal Exercises and individual
songs
Lesson 6:
Chapter 6: Understanding your Vocal Instrument
Vocal health and care
Vocal exercises and work on individual songs
Lesson 7:
Chapter 7: Vowels and Vocal Color
Speaking as basis for singing, diction, phonetics,
Italian and English vowels
Vocalizing and work on individual songs
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Lesson 8:
Chapter 8: Consonants and clarity
Semi-vowels, Consonants, Hums, Speaking and
Singing exercises.
Vocalizing and work on individual songs
MID-TERM EXAM October 18
Lesson 9:
Chapter 9: Double and triple vowels
Diphthongs and triphthongs
Work on individual songs
Lesson 10:
Chapter 10: Performing a Song
Styles, strophic, through-composed and pop-song form, the
accompanist, overcoming stage fright
Work on individual songs
Lesson 11:
Chapter 11: Extending your voice
Vocal strength, range, agility, range,
Work on individual songs
Lesson 12:
Chapter 12: Vocabulary for Music
Rhythm, pitch, keys, major and minor scales,
Sight singing.
Work on individual songs
Lesson 13:
Lesson 14:
Lesson 15:
Work on individual songs
Work on individual songs and dress rehearsal
FINAL EXAM PERFORMANCE: DEC.12 @7:00p.m.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Attend 2 vocal performances such as an opera,
musical, choir, or solo recital, preferably professional quality or high level
performance. Write at least a one page report on the performance double space
typed and include the program. Evaluation criteria will be given in class. The
assignments need to be turned in and before the last day of class
I will announce various performances you may attend.
MUSI 1183 fulfills the following core intellectual competencies: Reading, writing,
speaking, listening and critical thinking.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY POLICY:
Houston Community College defines “scholastic dishonesty” as: cheating on a test,
plagiarism. and collusion. Penalties for academic dishonesty at HCCS include, but
are not limited to, “O” on the test or assignment in question, “W” in the course, or “F”
in the course.
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SUPPORT SERVICES: Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are
encouraged to report to Room 102 SJAC or call (713) 718-6164 to make necessary
arrangements. Faculty is authorized to provide accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office.
The Fine Arts Department at Central College recommends that all HCCS students
carry some form of medical insurance to cover illness and injury, both on and off
campus. Information regarding low-cost health insurance for students is available in
the Fine Arts Office. Under Texas State statute, HCCS is immune to liability in the event
of accident or injury.
No children are allowed in the classroom, and invited guests are allowed at the
discretion of the professor.
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT: aimed at specific Fine Arts courses and degree plans for
Dance, Drama, Music and Speech are available to Central College students during
each semester. Please sign up in the Fine Arts Office to speak to a full time instructor
in your area of interest.
EMERGENCIES: Please leave any messages on my voice mail (713) 718-6614, or
leave a note for me in the Fine Arts Office in my mailbox. You can call the office
directly at (713) 718-6600 and a secretary will answer and leave me a message. You
also can e-mail me at kathleen.knight@hccs.edu or call my cell @ (713) 832-7898.
HCC COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY: The state of Texas has begun to impose penalties
on students who drop courses excessively. Now if you repeat the same course more
than twice, extra tuition is charged. New students will be limited to no more than “six”
total course withdrawals throughout their academic career and there may be future
penalties imposed. To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class,
HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which I (your instructor) will “alert” you
and HCC Student Services of the chance you might fail a class because of excessive
absences and/or poor academic performance. Visit with me, an HCC counselor, or
HCC Online Student Services to learn about what, if any HCC interventions might be
offered to assist you such as tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. to
stay in class and improve your academic performance. You MUST visit with a faculty
advisor, counselor or on-line student services at:
http://studentservicesonline.hccs.edu/ prior to withdrawing (dropping the class. This
must be done prior to set deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. After that
deadline, you will receive the grade you are making in the class which will more than
likely be an “F”.
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FINE ARTS LABS/STUDIOS
Students may use the Fine Arts labs and studios with proper identification during the
times the Fine Arts office is open. Unaccompanied students must clear studios and labs
30 minutes prior to closing time. Faculty members may remain in studios and labs until
the official campus closing time. Students may remain in the labs and studios while the
professor is present.
GRADING: Grades will be based on participation, attendance, written examinations
and the final performance.
GRADING SCALE:
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0—59
A
B
C
D
F
Have a great semester!
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