Academic Catalog

MUS 48C: MUSICAL THEATRE REPERTOIRE FOR SINGERS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2024
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: MUS 48B or THTR 48B.
Advisory: This course is included in the Theatre Voice family of activity courses; not open to students with credit in THTR 48C.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Cross-Listed: THTR 48C

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to identify and produce appropriate vocal technique and musical style for the various sub-genreÕs of musical theater repertoire as assigned.
  • Students integrate the demands of healthy vocal production into appropriate solo and ensemble repertoire with an emphasis on character development and communication.
  • Students will be able to effectively rehearse and perform all assigned music. This involves working effectively with the director, pianist and actors in ensembles of all sizes, including music, singing technique, acting and movement

Description

Vocal techniques and styles as utilized in musical theatre. Instruction includes development of singing skills, basic body movement, acting technique, interpretation of Broadway song literature in a staged performance. Students are required to prepare a final project excerpted from a standard works. Attendance at all scheduled performances is required.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:
A. Sing musical theater repertoire with vocal technique appropriate to the overall genre and any sub-genres explored.
B. Learn a wide variety of repertoire appropriate to the student's voice type within musical theatre genre.
C. Have the skills and understanding needed to research and expand repertoire and vocal development.
D. Successfully communicate music and lyrics within the context of a scene as a character in a staged performance.
E. Develop the skills needed to work as a soloist and within an ensemble with a director, music director, choreographer and accompanist.

Course Content

A. Application of musical theater repertoire singing technique
1. Posture and breath support in solo and ensemble material
2. Ability to properly support a musical phrase in a staged performance
3. Maintain that support within heightened dramatic and emotional moments in sung repertoire
4. Expand personal vocal warm-up regimen to accommodate more challenging repertoire
5. Successfully move from scene to song with appropriate vocal style
B. Ability to research, understand and perform music appropriate to type
1. Solidify vocal repertoire for voice and physical type
2. Ability to research roles appropriate to type
3. Ability to target areas for growth as techniques develop
4. Ability to perform in varied vocal styles appropriate to sub-genres studied
C. Ability to create character and relationships within assigned material within accepted performance practice
1. Ability to break down each song/ensemble as a fully developed character based on text
2. Ability to break down each song/ensemble as a fully developed character based on music
3. Mastery of moment to moment journey of character within each song by sustaining both vocal energy and dramatic intention
4. Identify how the vocal line and musical accompaniment support and define the character's emotional journey and discovery
D. Expand knowledge of rehearsal technique as a musical theater singer
1. Develop discipline and techniques for rehearsal and preparation required between rehearsals
2. Develop ability to collaborate with other singers within scenes and ensembles
3. Learn the appropriate theater discipline and develop the ability to work effectively in the rehearsal setting with director, musical director, choreographer
4. Incorporate simple elements of costume and make-up in portrayal of characters
E. Prepare and maintain all assigned material from rehearsal through performance, including all music, scene work, movement and dance
1. Meet deadlines preparation as required
2. Attend all final rehearsals allowing for tech/dress as needed
3. Maintain performance discipline throughout all performances

Lab Content

A. Exercises and rehearsal of individual vocal exercises.
B. Small group collaborative rehearsal of voice exercises and assignments.
C. Large ensemble rehearsal of vocal, musical, text and movement assignments.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

A. Clothing suitable for rehearsal work.
B. A flexible, open-space classroom with piano.
C. Rehearsal accompanist.
D. Audio and/or video recording and playback equipment.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Evaluation of student rehearsal and performances including songs and ensembles
Demonstration of theory and techniques acquired, consistency of vocal technique through prepared material in rehearsal and performance
Character analysis for assigned songs and ensemble
Short homework assignments posted in the Course Studio covering various topics from reflective singing exercises to listening and video watching assignments

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture presentations and classroom discussion of American musical theatre and vocal technique
In-class singing of musical theatre material by students followed by instructor-guided interpretation and analysis
Individual and group presentations of major projects followed by in-class discussion and analysis

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Gagne, Jeannie. Your Singing Voice, Pap/Com ed.. 2012.

Even though the textbook is older than 5 years, it meets the standard on the discipline.

Songs and ensembles assigned by instructor from the musical theatre canon from the 1930s through present day.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

A. Individual and ensemble lyrics and script reading assignments
B. Self-reflective journal and/or character analysis of songs
C. Research paper on composers and/or lyricists studied

Discipline(s)

Music or Theater Arts