Master of Music: Voice Pedagogy and Performance

CR 509 Symphonic Choir 1 Credits

A large mixed chorus comprised of students above the lower division, including graduate students from all disciplines. The ensemble regularly performs in the region and focuses on the major choral/orchestral repertoire along with a wide variety of repertoire for large mixed chorus. Placement hearing required.

ME 685 Improving Musical Practice: Research in Music Education 3 Credits

Intended for students in the MME and BM-MME degree programs, this course focuses on research as a tool for improving practice. Course members will read qualitative and quantitative research studies and consider the impact of research on their teaching. Course members will also plan and conduct original research that will help them to analyze their specific teaching contexts, identify and conduct inquiry into problems, and refine their practice as educators.

ME 692 Social Justice in Music Education: History, Philosophy, and Practice 3 Credits

The purpose of this course is two-fold. First, the course will explore the historical perspectives that have significantly shaped and informed music teaching and learning within American public education during the last century. Second, students will encounter, engage with, and interrogate philosophies and theories of practice from social justice perspectives in order to critically consider the place and purpose of music and music education within educational and societal contexts.

ME 723 Social, Emotional, and Musical Learning 3 Credits

This course examines topics in psychology of music from the lens of social emotional learning. This theoretical lens will allow students to find the relationships between music-making as social and cultural practices and the development of individual and collective psychological process in music teaching and learning. Major topics include affective and physiological responses to music, musical enculturation, learning theory, well-being and wellness, musical aptitude, developmental processes, and motivation. Students will discuss literature in the psychology of music with applications to K-12 music classes and rehearsals and conduct a pilot study in an area of interest based upon knowledge from the literature.

MH 731 Intro to Musicology 3 Credits

Introduction to the basic tools of research in historical musicology in order to foster: (1) an awareness of the nature and scope of historical musicology as a scholarly discipline; (2) familiarity with the techniques of musicological research; (3) an understanding of the relationship between musicological research and performance practice; and (4) experience in the application of musicological techniques to specific musical works and issues. It is strongly recommended that this course be taken at the outset of graduate study. Required for all Master of Music candidates.

VC 553 Special Topics in Voice Performance Practice 2 Credits

Intensive performance coaching and lectures in the form of master classes where performance practice in selected topics will be taught by current faculty or distinguished alumni and specialists in their fields. Open to students at the sophomore level and above with permission of the instructor.

VC 593 Opera Theater 2 Credits

This course involves preparation and performance of a role or in the chorus of a fully staged opera production. Open only by audition. May be repeated for credit.

VC 635 Seminar in Song Literature 3 Credits

An intensive study of some area of art song history and literature. The specific content of this course will change from semester to semester. Emphasis is placed upon in-depth study of the selected repertoire.

VC 722 Literature for Teaching 3 Credits

A survey of graduated teaching literature for beginning, intermediate and advanced voice students. Literature will be explored that is particularly well-suited to specific vocal issues (e.g. legato, coloratura, staccato, etc.).

VC 723 Voice Ped I: Voice Science 3 Credits

Study of voice anatomy and physiology with concentration on respiration, phonation, articulation, hearing and vocal health. Through hands-on experience in the Westminster Voice Laboratory, students explore the physics of sound, the fundamentals of musical acoustics, and acoustical elements that are unique to the human voice. Priority registration is given to M.V.P. majors and M.M. students majoring in Voice Performance and Pedagogy. Other students may enroll on a space-available basis.

VC 724 Voice Pedagogy II: Methods 3 Credits

A comparative study of various pedagogical methods and ideals. A wide range of important historical and contemporary pedagogy treatises is reviewed. Students explore exercises and vocalises for general voice development as well as techniques to address and correct specific vocal problems. Role-playing exercises are used to develop appropriate listening and teaching skills. Class participants begin supervised instruction of a volunteer singing student.

VC 725 Voice Pedagogy III: Teaching Practicum 3 Credits

Communication skills are explored and students develop a systematic approach to studio voice instruction. Each student is assigned at least two voice students (one adult and one teenager) to be taught both inside and outside of class. Emphasis is placed on becoming familiar with all voice classifications and basic vocal literature.

Prerequisite(s): VC 723.

VC 726 Voice Research 3 Credits

Peer reviewed research in voice is evaluated and research methodologies are explored. Class projects include research in historical, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.

VC 740 Seminar in Music Theater Pedagogy 3 Credits

Comprehensive study of various pedagogical approaches to teaching Music Theater singing techniques. Students explore exercises and vocalises for general voice development as well as techniques to address and correct specific vocal problems. Role-playing exercises are used to develop appropriate listening and teaching skills. Class participants begin supervised instruction of a volunteer singing student. The course is offered entirely online and will consist of recorded lectures, reading assignments, group discussions via discussion boards, listening assignments, and other written assignments.