Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Individual Applied Music Instruction (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 3410-36

Course: MUSC 3410-36
Credits: 2
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32574

Course Description

Private lessons in vocal or instrumental music. Twelve 50-minute lessons and a required studio class. Fee required.

Required Texts

Binder

Purchase at least one music book each semester

Individual assignments are given according to the vocal student’s abilities and vocal needs.

Each student will be assigned literature based on developing the individual voice.

Students are expected to purchase the music assigned on an individual basis, unless that music is out of print or considered to be in public domain. Each student should understand that the use of photo-copied music is illegal, unless permission in writing is received from the publisher or music is considered to be in public domain. Students who use photo-copied music without having an original copy will receive a lowered grade! The Supreme Court in its ruling on NAPSTER has declared that enabling anyone to pirate music whether by photo-copying or downloading illegally on computer or copying CDs is breaking the law. Fines for breaking this law are considerable and put the individual, department, and the university at risk.

Each student in Professor Briggs studio is responsible for recording every lesson. This recording device chosen is to be used throughout the lesson, so that the student may refer to it throughout the week. The recording device should be brought to every lesson and listened to at least three times before the next lesson, preferably more. You are expected to listen to your lesson recording at least 3 times before your next scheduled lesson.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Perform a variety of basic to intermediate literature in a jury or other venue as assigned.
  2. Demonstrate basic to intermediate musicality through expressive singing.
  3. Exhibit basic to intermediate proficiency in diction and articulation appropriate to level of study.
  4. Memorize songs, arias and/or texts appropriate to private voice study.

Course Requirements

Assessment Mapping

Course Assessments Course Outcomes
| Lesson Attendance  | Outcomes 1-4
| Studio & Recital Performance  | Outcomes 1-4
| Binder  | Outcomes 1-4
| Jury  | Outcomes 1-4
Assignment Outline
  1. Repertoire
You are expected to learn and memorize five selections for the semester.
2.Master Class
You must attend studio class every Friday.
You must perform at least 3 times during the semester, and are encouraged to perform as much as possible.
3.Recital
You must perform by memory in one formal music recital per semester, and dress appropriately for a performance.
4.Voice Juries
You must submit five memorized, well-prepared songs representing a variety of music literature
5.Binder
Music, Translations, IPA Translations, Character Study & Synopsis
Grading Policy
30%      Lesson attendance, attitude and preparation (daily lesson grades average)
            2 tardies (if no contact) = 1 unexcused absence
20%      Weekly master class and monthly recital attendance
            At least 1 Recital AND 3 Master Class performances
20%      Binder – Written assignments and character studies
30%      Jury performance
Grading Scale
The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range
| A  | 100 % to 94.0%
| A-  | < 94.0 % to 90.0%
| B+  | < 90.0 % to 87.0%
| B  | < 87.0 % to 84.0%
| B-  | < 84.0 % to 80.0%
| C+  | < 80.0 % to 77.0%
| C  | < 77.0 % to 74.0%
| C-  | < 74.0 % to 70.0%
| D+  | < 70.0 % to 67.0%
| D  | < 67.0 % to 64.0%
| D-  | < 64.0 % to 61.0%
| F  | < 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline

Important Dates

Saturday, November 15, 2025
National Association of Teachers of Singing Study Awards Competition. This is required unless you are told otherwise. It will be held at University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Cal-Western NATS Information: Auditions Timeline

Registration period: October 6–November 6

Vetting/Remediation: November 7–12

Judging period: November 13–December 4

Semifinalists announced: December 8
Semifinalist registration period: December 11–22
Cal-Western Regional NATS at San Jose State University in California

Semifinals: January 17
Finals: January 18

Voice Juries
December 8, 2025 all day

Course Expectations

5-7 Songs Memorized by jury

3-5 Song Analyses

Updated Repertoire list, Resume, & Biography

Perform as often as possible

Be prepared for lessons and studio

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning; please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time. To find feedback, see the tutorials below.

How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor?

How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor?

It is my goal to:

  • Respond to student messages within ___2_ business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within _1___ - ___2__ days from the due date

Attendance Policy

Lessons will end at the scheduled time, even if student arrives late.

Make-Up Lessons:

For religious observances, you must notify me at least one week before the holiday.

If you are sick, please contact me at the mobile phone number above ahead of your lesson time. If you do not contact me in advance of an absence, it will be considered unexcused.

If I cancel a lesson, I will make every effort to schedule a make-up lesson that is mutually convenient, however, flexibility on your part may be necessary.

Note: If you miss 2 lessons or more without notifying me according to the above time limits you may be dropped from this class.

Preparation: You are expected to bring all materials to each lesson and arrive on time and ready to sing. Your attitude and willingness to learn are, of course, subjective portions of your grade.

Course Fees

Because of the one-on-one nature of this class, students are required to pay an additional fee of $440.00 for twelve 50-minute lessons and $260.00 for twelve half-hour lessons.

Voice majors are responsible for working within the schedule with the assigned accompanist each semester. The student fills out a contract that specifies a responsibility of $10.00 per hour for accompanying time. You meet with your accompanist 6 times during the semester, more if you have a recital. The department pays for two-thirds of the accompanying time.

Student Resources and Financial Wellness

Canvas and Technical Support

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.