Skip to content

Course Syllabus

Course: MUSC 4616

Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Private Voice IV

Semester Approved: Spring 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2024
End Semester: Fall 2024

Catalog Description: This course provides students with individual vocal instruction. Private instruction is required of music majors each semester during college. Music majors receive one-hour lessons each week of the semester. The course is repeatable for credit. This course develops and improves a student's technical, interpretive, improvisational, pedagogical, and sight reading skills as well as developing a student's understanding of the history and repertory of the specific instrument/voice. The course promotes synthesis various types of musical knowledge. A jury is required at the end of the semester. The jury accounts for 20% of the grade for the course. Students must successfully pass the jury at the end of their second semester of 3000 level private instruction in order to register for 4000 level private instruction. An additional fee is required.

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.


Prerequisites: Completion of two semesters of MUSC 3616. Permission of instructor.

Justification: As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Snow College is required to provide competent private instruction for music majors in all vocal and instrumental specialties. Private instruction is required of music majors in four-year music degree programs and must appear on student transcripts. This course offers an excellent opportunity for all Snow College students to develop musicianship and performance skills. Courses of this type are taught at all NASM accredited institutions in Utah.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Fourth year private lesson students will: 

Continue to develop good practice habits, and keep track of practice hours using a practice journal or log sheet. This outcome is assessed via the student's practice journal.

Learn repertoire appropriate to an advanced grade level. This outcome is assessed through weekly participation in lessons, recital performances, and the end of semester jury.

Learn advanced technique skills necessary to perform more challenging repertoire. This outcome is assessed through weekly participation in lessons, recital performances, and the end of semester jury.

Memorize music for performance (where appropriate). This outcome is assessed through weekly participation in lessons, recital performances, and the end of semester jury.

Perform in master classes.  This outcome is assessed by the faculty member and students during regular master classes.

Continue to demonstrate proper artistic style and technical facility. This outcome is assessed through weekly participation in lessons, recital performances, and the end of semester jury.


Content:
Practice journal development;
• Continuing work on body posture including embouchure, hand and feet positions, and breathing techniques;
• Advanced technique study, including use of vibrato and performance in extreme ranges;
• Greater focus on instruction in performance practice appropriate to stylistic periods;
• Continuing development of tone strength and quality within all ranges of the instrument;
• Development of dynamic ranges appropriate to all types of literature;
• In depth study of languages necessary to perform music appropriately;
• Study of major and minor scales and arpeggios;
• Study of method books and etudes appropriate to student playing level;
• Study of solo repertoire appropriate for fourth-year college students and/or the individual level of the student;
• Development of performance technique, including memorization techniques, stage deportment and anxiety management;
• Study and practice will be assessed through instructor feedback and public performance.

Key Performance Indicators:
Students in private music instruction courses are assessed in the following ways (percentages are approximate):

Participation Rates - Attendance at lessons  15 to 25%

Written Assignments - Documented practice hours  15 to 25%

Presentation/Performance - Master class participation and performance  15 to 25%

Presentation/Performance - Recital participation and performance  15 to 25%

Presentation/Performance - Jury participation and performance  20 to 30%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Instructor will assign materials based on students' level of skill an interests. Students may be required to purchase solos and collections as assigned by instructor.


Pedagogy Statement:
This course is delivered via a combination of direct instruction, modeling, coaching, and mentoring.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture

Maximum Class Size: 1
Optimum Class Size: 1