OPERA THEATER SYLLABUS
New World School of the Arts
OPERA WORKSHOP
MUO 1501
OPERA THEATRE ENSEMBLE
MUO 3652
1 hour credit
Rodney Miller, Associate Professor, Director of Opera Theatre
Music Department, New World School of the Arts
Office 4215
Phone 305-237-3679
Cell 786-200-1710
E-mail: rmiller1@mdc.edu
HOURS: 2:00-4:00 PM, Monday, Wednesday, Building 1, Room 1676
11:00-1:00 PM, Friday, Building 4, Room 4203
REQIRED TEXT: Opera Anthology for the appropriate voice.
OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS: This course is designed to teach vocal and
presentational techniques through the preparation and performance of songs, arias, and operatic
roles. Music will be prepared with special attention to notational values, characterization, and
performance practices, and will be presented in a variety of performance venues, including:
scenes programs, full-length operas, and public concerts. As potential artists you will be taught
to understand the expectations of employers, both in regard to preparation, responsibility,
appearance, and behavior. These expectations will ultimately apply to any professional singing
job, from your church job, to your engagement with a symphony or opera company.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance and punctuality for all Opera Theater Ensemble classes, performances and functions
is mandatory for everyone. Anyone who fails to attend classes or functions, or who does not
arrive in a timely manner, will be subject to a lowering of their final grade, and will also be
subject to being replaced in their roles.
Class schedules, work schedules, and unforeseen illness will be taken into consideration for class
and rehearsal absences, providing that adequate advance notice is given, and provided that the
absences are not too numerous. Repeated absences for any reason will impact your grade and
could result in your dismissal from the program.
You will be allowed 3 absences without consequences to your grade. After 3 absences, ALL
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL IMPACT YOUR GRADE. If you feel that you will have
conflicts that will prevent you from fully participating in the program, you should withdraw from
this program.
An excused absence is one that I know about in advance and approve, or an absence for which
you provide a doctor’s excuse. Generally, I will not excuse an absence just because you call.
Even if you are unable to sing, you will be expected to attend class. The same attendance
requirements will apply to all classes and rehearsals, including Buchman’s Friday class.
Florida Grand Opera rehearsal and performance schedule conflicts are not excused absences.
You should check the New World schedule before you accept chorus work with FGO. Opera
Theatre rehearsals, performances, or classes take priority.
TARDINESS AND LEAVING:
If you are exceptionally late for class, I may count you absent. You are expected to arrive on
time and remain in class until you are dismissed. If you see that you will be late, you should call
my cell (786-200-1710). Three excessive, unexcused, late arrivals or repeated leaving of class
will be counted as an absence.
MANDATORY DRESS CODE:
Proper attire is a course requirement and each individual is expected to provide his or her own
attire. Any singer representing New World on any occasion will be expected to dress
appropriately, based on the Director’s guidelines. This also includes New World performances at
which you are an audience member.
Performance dress for women will be a long, solid colored dress with sleeves or a shawl.
Secondary dress will be a long black dress with black heels.
Performance dress for men is a black tuxedo with white long sleeved shirt, black bow tie, black
cumber bun or vest and black shoes. Secondary dress for men is a conservative suit or sport coat
with tie.
EVALUATION
Your final grade will be based on the following:
1) Class work, participation, quality of work, and attitude (60%)
2) Progress and improvement (20%)
3) Concert Preparation and Performance (20%)
COACHING: Each student will be eligible for a ½ hour coaching per week. It is the student's
responsibility to arrange a regular coaching schedule with their assigned coach/accompanist.
Attendance at these coachings is mandatory the same as voice lessons and classes. Missing a
coaching without notification may result in losing that coaching time. Failure to attend and
prepare for these coachings will result in a lowering of your final grade. At the end of the term I
will ask your coach to give you a grade for your coachings, based on your attendance and
preparation.
PERFORMANCE CLASS: For the Friday performance class there will be a requirement for
everyone to perform at least twice during the term, determined by Mr. Buchman. For the
Monday and Wednesday classes, performance dates will be both assigned and voluntary. The
work done in these classes will be considered as a graded activity. Jeff Buchman will submit a
grade for his class, to be considered along with the grade that I submit, and the recommendation
of your coach in determining your final grade.
GENERAL STUDIES:
As part of voice program at New World, there is an expectation that everyone will stay on track
with all of their academic studies, so that they can finish their degree and graduate in a
reasonable amount of time. This means that everyone must take the general education classes on
schedule, along with the music classes. Students who do not complete these classes in a timely
manner, because of failures or withdrawals, with be subject to loss of scholarship and removal
from the program, until these requirements are met.
If you anticipate a problem with any aspect of these guidelines, you should see me immediately.
OPERA IS A COMPETITIVE ART FORM. THOSE WHO DEMONSTRATE THEIR
WILLINGNESS TO PREPARE WELL AND WORK HARD WILL BE REWARDED WITH
GREATER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE
DECISIONS OR CHANGES AS I SEE FIT.
RODNEY MILLER, 6/2008