Grading Policy
The final grade will be comprised of two parts: (1) formal class-related work (80%); and (2) class participation/creativity/interest (20%).
- The formal class related work will be determined by averaging the following: (80%)
- Book review and In-Class Oral Presentation: 15%
- Reading Outlines, written work, and Observations: 10%
- Announced Tests: 10%
- Pop Quizzes: 10%
- Journal Notebook midterm: 10%
- Notebook journal final: 10%
- Final Exam: 15%
- Class participation/creativity/interest (20%). Class participation/creativity/interest will be evaluated by the instructor, based upon your written papers and your in-class efforts and presentations.
- Tests will be given when the following units are completed in class.
Book Review and In Class Oral Presentation
For the purpose of contrast/comparison and general knowledge, each student will review an additional pedagogical text from the bibliography handout given at the beginning of class. The review should be no less than five pages in length excluding the cover page and bibliographic resources.
If you find any other Pedagogical book that is not on the list that you would prefer to review, bring the book to class on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 and I will decide as to whether this is a book that will be useful to you and the class.
Journal Notebook
The journal component will contain four sections.
1. The first section will contain outlines of all the assigned reading material and study guides.
2. The second part of the journal will consist of lesson observations. You must observe 6 lessons during the semester.
3. The third section will be for six articles (not already assigned in class) that you research about singing. These articles should come from any of the following: National Association of Teachers of Singing Journal, Classical Singer Magazine or The Journal of the Voice. You do not need to have articles from all three journals. You may choose only one journal or possibly two. The Journal of the Voice is quite technical. Find articles that are of great interest to you and your teaching. You need to write in your own words what you learned from the articles.
4. The fourth section will contain your Great Singer Paper, your Book Review, and your Comparative Singer Paper.
Your notebook by midterm should show that you have completed half of your assignments in each section of the notebook. You will be graded accordingly. If you have not done half of the work in each section of the notebook, then your grade will be lowered. That means three lesson observations should be completed, three articles with your written analysis of what you learned, and at least one of your papers in section four
Great Singer Paper/Presentation:
Each student will choose a singer/chapter from Jerome Hines’ book Great Singers on Great Singing. This book is on reserve in the library at the front desk where books are checked out. The student will write a report on the singer and focus on the technical information presented. Every chapter is very different, but you should look for ideas on breathing, posture, phonation, resonance, diction, etc. In addition to the written report, the student will present the information to the class during the final weeks of class. The book will be on reserve in the library. You will choose the singer you wish to present by the third class period. (Sept.3, 2025)
Comparative Singer Paper:
Each student will write a two-page paper comparing one song/aria as sung by two different singers. The student will analyze the performances by these two singers and discuss the vocal techniques we have studied during the course of the semester. You might choose a song/aria you have studied in order to be more familiar with the music. Do not write two pages of biographical information on two singers. Discuss breathing, phrasing, vocal color, resonance balancing, ease of production, diction, interpretation, etc. Use the score to make sure the singers are following the dynamics, phrasing, text, even notes of the written score. This is an exercise for you to thoroughly analyze what you are hearing and what you would like to hear in a good vocal technique. You tube, iTunes, or Naxos is a great source if you are having difficulty finding two singers. Make certain that the singers you pick are professional, known singers in the classical world of singing. In addition to the written report, the student will present the information to the class during the final weeks of class. CDs are also available in the university library.
Singer and Teacher Observations:
You are required to observe 6 different freshmen and sophomore level singers. Try to observe both male and female singers, three of each, and they must be different. You must observe other teachers than your applied teacher.