Academic Catalog

THTR 48B: SINGING TECHNIQUE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2021
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Advisory: MUS 13A, 13B and 13C; this course is included in the Theatre Voice family of activity courses; not open to students with credit in MUS 48B.
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: MUS 48B

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students integrate the demands of healthy vocal production into appropriate solo and ensemble repertoire with an emphasis on character development and communication.

Description

Practical introduction to the fundamentals of singing for musical theatre repertoire. Students will explore the principals of healthy vocal production in solo and/or ensemble singing to develop the singing voice through exercises and repertoire from the Standard American Musical Theatre. Songs will be developed with strong emphasis on character development and communication.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:
A. Gain a deeper understanding and technical proficiency with singing in the musical theatre genre.
B. Learn a wide variety of repertoire choices as well as gain a deeper understanding of voice and physical type related to casting in musical theatre.
C. Introduce the principles of communication within song as singer-actors, as communicators within the context of stage performance (i.e., characters within a story).
D. Have 1-2 fully prepared songs appropriate for audition.
E. Develop the skills needed to work with an accompanist at audition and rehearsal.

Course Content

A. Fundamentals of singing technique
1. Posture and breath support
a. Expand ability to properly support a musical phrase
b. Maintain that support within heightened dramatic and emotional moments in sung repertoire
c. Personal vocal warm-up regimen designed to build vocal skills and increase flexibility
2. Gain an understanding of 'speech level' singing as required in musical theatre
3. Develop ability to move from speaking voice into song without shifts in vocal sound
4. Understand vowel modification in movement through vocal registers
5. Develop focus skills in order to overcome nerves and self-consciousness
B. Identify 'type' in musical theatre genre and repertoire appropriate to individual type
1. Familiarity with vocal range and quality within the genre
2. Identify roles appropriate to vocal and physical type
3. Ability to describe stylistic practices and perform within the sub-genres of musical theatre historical periods from the 1920s to present day
C. Develop skills to integrate acting with singing for the musical stage
1. Use of vocal interpretation in support of character expression and emotions
2. Mastery of moment to moment journey of character within each song by sustaining both vocal energy and dramatic intention
3. Identify how the vocal line and musical accompaniment support and define the character's emotional journey and discovery
D. Prepare assigned repertoire vocally, musically and dramatically in preparation for audition
1. Two contrasting songs within type: up tempo and ballad
2. Prepared with appropriate vocal and musical development
3. Develop contrasting characters supported by music
E. Expand knowledge of rehearsal technique as a singer
1. Appropriately prepare music copies in a binder for an accompanist
2. Understand how to communicate tempo and musical needs within a song to an accompanist
3. Develop communication skills for ensemble work with other singers, director and musical director
4. Develop skills for auditioning
a. Communicating with auditioners
b. Call-back questions and preparation
c. Appropriate dress
d. Resumes and headshots

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. Large rehearsal room with piano
B. Accompanist
C. Voice recording equipment is strongly advised
D. Audio/visual equipment; internet available computer/media equipped classroom

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Vocal warm-up and development exercises
Rehearsal and presentation of assigned material
Character analysis and scenes for assigned songs
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 evaluation

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