Mississippi College
Music Department
Vocal Diction
Music 161 (2 credit hours)
Fall 2014
Instructor: Dr. Viola Dacus
Office: 207 Aven Hall
Telephone: (601) 925-3441
e-mail: vdacus@mc.edu
Class Time and Location: MWF 8:00-8:50, 406 Aven Hall
Catalog description:
Utilizing International Phonetic Alphabet, English, Italian, and Latin dictions will
be studied. Application to the standard repertoire in each of these languages will be
made.
Objectives:
1. To learn the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and their
unique sounds
2. To learn rules of pronunciation for English, Latin, and Italian languages
3. To apply the knowledge of these pronunciation rules and of IPA to
phonetically transcribe text
4. To apply these skills to the pronunciation of these languages in both spoken
and sung contexts
5. To develop an understanding of the importance of "authentic" pronunciation in
the art of classical singing
Required text:
Moriarty, John. Diction, third edition. Boston, Massachusettes: ECS Publishing,
2008.
The text is available in the college bookstore and online.
Grading scale:
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
59 and below = F
Grading policy:
1. The class participation/homework portion of the grade (5%) will be based on
regular attendance, preparation, and completion of homework assignments. Regular
attendance and advance preparation of reading and transcription assignments are
expected and required for a grade of A. Transcriptions assigned as homework will be
checked and reviewed in class.
2. The quiz portion of the grade (20%) will be based on both announced and
unannounced quizzes that will be given throughout the semester. Announced quizzes are
printed in bold on the course schedule.
3. The song portion of the grade (40%) will be based on four songs (Song #1, Song #2,
etc. on the course schedule) that will be performed for a grade at the indicated times
during the semester. Students will practice the songs in class on the days indicated on the
course schedule. Each song will count as 10% of the final grade for the total of 40%.
4. A midterm exam (10%) will be given at the time indicated on the course schedule.
5. An oral final exam (10%) will consist of unprepared spoken readings in English,
Latin, and Italian.
6. A written final exam (15%) will be given on the date indicated on the semester
schedule. The content of this exam will be cumulative, covering material studied
throughout the semester.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend class. Please see the Student Handbook for
specific information regarding excused absences, excessive absences, and penalties. If
you know in advance that you must miss class, please notify me.
Communication:
Students are expected to communicate with the instructor if there are any
concerns regarding the class. All contact information is listed above. Also, the instructor
may use the MC e-mail system to communicate with students. They are expected to
check their MC e-mail accounts regularly.
Academic honesty:
“Mississippi College students are expected to be scrupulously honest.” (See the
college handbook regarding honesty, or the Mississippi College website for University
Policy 2.19 for more specific information.)
Make-up policy:
There will be no make-up quizzes; the lowest grade may be dropped at the
discretion of the instructor under extenuating circumstances. Exams, song practices, and
songs are expected to be done on the date indicated on the class schedule unless there are
extreme circumstances. Please speak to the instructor immediately if you think you have
such a situation.
In the event that an exam is missed, the following will occur:
- There will be no class review or return of the exam. (Students may of
course find out the grade earned.)
- A make-up exam will be given the last week of class.