Voice (VC)

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 591 Performing in Lyric Theater 2 Credits

Performing in Lyric Theater offers techniques for the preparation of lyric roles in a theatrical setting. It will develop elements of stagecraft, systematize a process for preparations and exploration, and introduce the working relationship with director and conductor.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduates, VC 291 and the successful completion of Level II jury, or permission of the Chair.

VC 592 Opera Workshop 2 Credits

Introduction to opera performance. Acting exercises, character development, dramatic exploration and musical coaching culminating in a workshop-format presentation. It is recommended that VC 491 or 691 be taken before this course. This course may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite(s): Undergraduates, successful completion of the level II voice test or permission of the chair.

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 593E Opera Theater (Ensemble) 1 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 593R Opera Theater (Role) 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 593T Opera Theater (Tech) 1 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 614 Accelerated Lyric Diction Review 2 Credits

Survey and review of fundamentals of Lyric Diction in English, Italian, German and French in sung musical mediums from the classical tradition, as well as review of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Successful completion of this course fulfills any deficiencies identified through Diction Screenings for graduate students.

VC 621 Oratorio Solo Literature 3 Credits

A performance course surveying solo and ensemble portions of oratorios, masses, passions, and cantatas from the early Baroque period to the present, with emphasis on appropriate performance techniques for stylistic integrity.

VC 627 Opera Literature I 3 Credits

Study of the development of opera from 1600 through the Napoleonic era (ca. 1815), with emphasis on performance practices, singing styles, libretti, the role of the orchestra, and the historical, political and sociological milieu in which the operas were written.

VC 628 Opera Literature II 3 Credits

Study of the development of opera from the early 19th century to the present, with emphasis on performance practices, singing styles, libretti, the role of the orchestra, and the historical, political and sociological milieu in which the operas were written.

VC 633 Seminar in Opera Literature 3 Credits

An intensive study of an area of opera literature. The specific content of this course will change from semester to semester. Emphasis is placed upon in-depth study of the works of a selected composer or of a specific genre of opera.

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 641A Voice Primary 2 Credits

VC 641B Voice Primary 1 Credits

VC 641C Voice Elective 2 Credits

VC 641D Voice Elective 1 Credits

VC 641E Voice Primary 2 Credits

VC 641F Voice Primary 1 Credits

VC 641G Voice Primary 2 Credits

Voice Primary.

VC 650 Pedagogy Capstone 1 Credits

Independent research leading to a completed capstone project, such as a pedagogical publication or presentation, development of an original or unique method of instruction, instructional materials, etc. The project must be approved by the department.

VC 655A Voice Primary 2 Credits

VC 655B Voice Primary 1 Credits

VC 655E Voice Primary 2 Credits

VC 655F Voice Primary 1 Credits

VC 657 Private Coaching 2 Credits

Individual coaching sessions for singers on musical style, interpretation, ensemble, languages, and presentation. Registration for VC 657 involves weekly hour-length lessons and a fee of $1,200. Registration for VC 658 involves weekly half-hour lessons and a fee of $600. Open to graduate Voice Pedagogy and Performance majors.

VC 658 Private Coaching 1 Credits

Individual coaching sessions for singers on musical style, interpretation, ensemble, languages, and presentation. Registration for VC 657 involves weekly hour-length lessons and a fee of $1,200. Registration for VC 658 involves weekly half-hour lessons and a fee of $600. Open to graduate Voice Pedagogy and Performance majors.

VC 661 German Lieder 3 Credits

This survey of the German Lieder begins with its roots in the 17th and 18th centuries and continues into the 20th century. Classes will involve study of Romanticism, including philosophers and poets of the 18th and 19th centuries who were important for German Lieder. The bulk of the class involves in-depth study of the Lieder of the important composers of the genre: Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Robert and Clara Schumann, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Brahms, Wolf, Strauss, Mahler, Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern. Class sessions will involve a balance of lecture, discussion, and student performance.

VC 662 French Melodie 3 Credits

This course is designed as a survey of the song literature of France. Students examine works for voice and piano/instruments by Berlioz, Gounod, Saint-Saëns, Bizet, Faure, Duparc, Chausson, Debussy, Ravel, Messaien, Milhaud, Poulenc, and others, analyzing their relationship to larger stylistic, social, and musicological trends. Investigation will include matters of prosody, scansion, and compositional organization, with particular attention given to matters of text setting and poetic treatment. Special emphasis will be placed on important French language poets whose literary works serve as the basis for this material. Poets will include Baudelaire, Verlaine, Hugo, Rimbaud, Mallarmé, LaForgue, Maeterlinck, and others. Poetic history and form will be covered as well as important composer/poet partnerships. Class sessions will involve a balance of lecture and discussion. Works by both well-known and lesser-known composers will be included.

VC 667 Private Dramatic/Role Coaching 2 Credits

Individual dramatic coaching sessions for singers on operatic role study and/or audition preparation. Students will provide their own accompanists as needed. Registration for VC 667 involves weekly hour-length lessons and a fee of $1,200. Registration for VC 668 involves weekly half-hour lessons and a fee of $600. May be repeated for credit.

VC 668 Private Dramatic/Role Coaching 1 Credits

Individual dramatic coaching sessions for singers on operatic role study and/or audition preparation. Students will provide their own accompanists as needed. Registration for VC 667 involves weekly hour-length lessons and a fee of $1,200. Registration for VC 668 involves weekly half-hour lessons and a fee of $600. May be repeated for credit.

VC 690 Independent Research and Study 1-3 Credits

Students may pursue a special topic for which they have prepared through prior course work. Only one project may be scheduled in a semester. The project may involve 1-3 credit hours. Approval of the faculty sponsor, department chair, and dean required prior to the first day of the semester in which the project is to be completed. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 required.

Prerequisite(s): graduate standing.

VC 705 Grad Voice Rep:Italian/French 1 Credits

This class is a performance seminar focusing on the synthesis of musical line and linguistic inflection. Elements of tonal color, frequency, vowel purity and rhythm will be practiced in each class session as individual students perform selections from the literature. Repeatable for credit only if space is available AND by permission of the Chair.

VC 706 Grad Voice Rep:German/English 1 Credits

This class is a performance seminar focusing on the synthesis of musical line and linguistic inflection. Elements of tonal color, frequency, vowel purity and rhythm will be practiced in each class session as individual students perform selections from the literature. Repeatable forcredit only if space is available AND by permission of the Chair.

VC 721 Westminster Voice Pedagogy Institute 3 Credits

This intensive course gives a detailed overview of science-informed, experience-driven voice pedagogy. It includes emphases on both Classical and Contemporary Commercial singing styles. Vocal anatomy, acoustic properties of the voice, voice-health, mind/body integration, lifespan voice, and an introduction to voice research/technology using the Presser Voice Lab and online resources are some of the Institute's areas of focus. Master teachers conduct "Look-in Lessons" and voice health specialists share the latest in the field.

Prerequisites: If taking for credit, an undergraduate degree is required.

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 730 The Singing Actor: Opera 3 Credits

This course entails coaching of selected songs, arias or repertoire from music theater, and techniques for performance preparation through intensive research. A final written project involves a musical and dramatic analysis of all chosen repertoire.

VC 731 Opera Auditions: Prep & Tech 2 Credits

This class will explore the many facets of preparing an audition for an opera role, apprentice program, or competition. At least three to four arias in contrasting styles and languages should be prepared for work in class. Areas to be addressed include vocal and dramatic presentation, networking, resume building, make-up, and photo advice. In coordination with the Office of Career Services, panel discussions with invited guests that will explore specific career-related topics will be scheduled.

Prerequisite(s): permission of the applied instructor.

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.

VC 741 Music Theater Literature I 3 Credits

Survey and analysis of Music Theater literature from its roots in Tin Pan Alley through Kander and Ebb. Students will explore the synergistic relationships among text, music, and style and discuss the influence of society and politics on the genre. 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.

VC 742 Music Theater Literature II 3 Credits

Survey and analysis of Music Theater Literature from Sondheim to the present. Students will explore the synergistic relationships among text, music, and style and discuss the influence of society and politics on the genre. The class will also discuss the integration of pop/rock and other contemporary substyles within the genre. 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.

VC 791 Teaching Internship 2 Credits

Teaching internship with a master teacher(s). The student will teach under faculty observation and supervision, including follow-up private discussion with the observer. In addition, students themselves observe group and private lessons and are given readings, written assignments, and/or projects associated with their own teaching. May be offered on an intensive basis in conjunction with Westminster Summer Session events, such as The High School Solo Vocal Artist and/or Vocal Institute.