Mississippi College
Department of Music
M6569: Practicum in Voice Pedagogy
Spring 2016
Instructor
Nicholas Perna, DMA
NKPerna@mc.edu
601.925.3900
Aven 209
Meeting Time
Arranged (Aven 209)
PR
MUS 6564: Voice Pedagogy I
Office Hours
Posted on instructor’s office door.
Due to the nature of my applied lesson schedule it is always best to
email me for a specific appointment time.
Catalog Description
Students will provide individual vocal instruction to volunteers approved by the instructor. Those receiving
instruction will be evaluated by the voice faculty in a jury at the conclusion of the semester.
Course Rationale
The applied study of singing is a very personal journey for each individual who is brave enough to seek the
joy of song. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the voice pedagogue to treat students individually, to
provide each with support, encouragement, and constructive criticism, which is necessary to guide the
student through their journey. Each singer who becomes a teacher is still currently on their own voice
journey, which can make it easy to mirror our own strengths and struggles on our students. I would rather
suggest that the voice teacher model their teaching after Paul's words, "Pay careful attention to your own
work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to
anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct." (Galatians 6: 4-5, NLT). If you eliminate
the comparison of self to each student, it allows you to view your teaching through the eyes of how to best
SERVE the individual. This aligns with Mississippi College's vision of "advancing the genuine well-being
of the community."
Part of the Mission of Mississippi College is to "pursue knowledge and truth." Through the careful study of
voice anatomy and science, we will further seek to eliminate the "guess-work" of voice teaching. The
singing voice has seen a significant increase in the amount of empirical data now generated on elite
singing. This has created new models of voice teaching firmly rooted in empirical fact, rather than the
traditional mentor-apprentice model that is still common in applied music study. This course will help turn
the knowledge gained in MUS 6564 into practice in a controlled environment.
Course Objective
The goal of MUS 6569 is to take the information from MUS 6564 and apply it to real life teaching
situations through applied lessons observations, observed teaching, and guided listening.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students will be able to
 Diagnose causes of vocal inefficiency.
 Communicate clear terminology and imagery to aid voice students.
 Develop fact-based pedagogic skills to guide voice students to produce more efficient sounds.
Text
There is no required text for this course.
Attendance
Attendance at all sessions is expected and required. You are allowed 2 absences. Upon the third
absence your letter grade will plummet one letter grade. This will repeat accordingly per each
additional absence. Class will begin at 2:55 pm. If you are late to class you will be counted as tardy.
Two tardy appearances will count as 1 absence.
Disability Services
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, he or she must contact Student Counseling Services (SCS). SCS will assist with
information regarding the appropriate policy and procedure for disability accommodations before each
semester or upon immediate recognition of the disability. SCS is located in Alumni Hall Room #4 or
you may contact them by phone at 601-925-7790. The Director of Student Counseling Services, Dr.
Bryant may be reached via email at mbryant@mc.edu.
Academic Integrity
See attached policy.
Cell Phones and Audio/Video recording
Cell phones must be silenced for the duration of class. Text messaging, games, web-surfing, and other cell
phone-related activities are not permitted during class. Calling a student during class and asking him to tell
the instructor you will be late or absent is not acceptable.
Audio or video recording of lectures or any class session by students is strictly prohibited without express
written permission of the instructor in advance of the requested recording. Permission may be granted for
academic purposes and to assist students with documented special needs.
Assignments may be video recorded by the instructor.
Moodle & Email
This course will utilize Moodle for notes and assignments. It is recommended that you use a high-speed
wired connection.
Students are expected to read and reply to email at least one time each day. Email will be the primary
manner of communication outside of class. Please include a relevant subject line in email communication.
If you have a question, please check the syllabus and if you cannot find an answer, ask it!
Course Format/Calendar
This course will meet twice weekly:
 One weekly session will be observations of Dr. Perna teaching an MC voice student. During the
first six weeks, you will observe Dr. Perna teach a beginning elective voice student. In week
seven you will teach a 30-minute lesson to the same student under Dr. Perna's supervision.
Week's 8-10 and 11-13 will follow with 3 lesson observations and a 30-minute supervised
teaching of two of Dr. Perna's music major applied students. Each lesson you teach will be in
addition to Dr. Perna's normal weekly lessons with the student.
 The second weekly session will occur on a normal weekly basis and will include: 5 weeks of
guided listening, and preparation and decompression of the observed teaching.
Observation Notes
You should record notes for each lesson observation to aid in your lesson plan for your teaching sessions.
Observed Teachings
For each teaching you will create a 1-page lesson plan based on the observed lessons. Each teaching will
be evaluated for clarity of strategies, teacher demeanor, and student progress.
Teaching Self Evaluations
Each session you teach will be video recorded. You must write a 1-2 page self-evaluation regarding the
clarity of your strategies, teacher demeanor, and student progress.
Teaching Jury
At the conclusion of the semester you must teach a 20-minute lesson to an unknown student in front of the
full-time voice faculty.
Graded Evaluations
Observations Notes (1 point each)
Observed Teachings (15 points each)
Teaching Self Evaluation (6 points each)
Teaching Jury (25 points)
12 points
45 points
18 points
25 points
Total
100 points
Grade Scale
A = 90-100 points
B = 80-89 points
C = 70-79 points
D = 60-69 points
F = 50-69 points