Voice Lessons, Spring 2012
MPVA 301, 501: 1-2 credits
InstructorMary Mattei-
Department of Choral and Sacred Music
OfficeMUS 416
213-821-5756
Contact Brinegar562 852-8526 (Cell)
Bulletin DescriptionWeekly individual instruction and Master Classes
PrerequisitesD Clearance Required
Course Objectives 1-hour lesson for students enrolled for 2 credits. 1/2-hour lesson for students
enrolled for 1 credit. Technical Requirements: Demonstrate an understanding
of breath management, legato connection for moderate length phrases, clear articulation
and projection of vowels and consonants, emotional connection to and
communication of text, and release of vibrato.
Requirements1. Students enrolled for 1 credit of voice lessons will receive 7.5 hours of instruction per semester
2. Students enrolled for 2 credits of voice lessons will receive 15 hours of instruction per semester
3. Students taking a 1-credit lesson are required to learn and memorize a minimum of 3 selections per semester. Foreign language requirements are at the discretion of the instructor.
4. Students taking a 2-credit lesson are required to learn and memorize a minimum of 5 selections per semester. Foreign language requirements are at the discretion of the instructor.
5. Students will sing a voice jury at the end of the semester. This is the final exam for the voice studio. Failure to sing a jury will result in a failing final grade. An incomplete in voice lessons may be given with medical documentation of inability to sing at the time of the jury. - The voice jury will take place on : TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11th - Students must sign up for a jury time 2 weeks prior to the jury on the sign up sheet that will be posted outside of MUS 416
- Students are responsible for confirming that their accompanist is available to play at their jury time
6. Students will list three songs on the jury sheet and perform two. The student will select the first song and a faculty member will select the second song.
7. If it is the student’s first jury, the student will select both songs to be sung.
8. Pianists will be secured with the help of the department and pianists must be present during the second half of each lesson by the 3rd week of the semester.
- Students should schedule additional rehearsal time with the pianist
9. IPA and translate all foreign language songs assigned
10. Students are responsible for keeping track of assignments. Recording lessons and/or taking notes is encouraged
Grading
1. A grade will be given at the end of each lesson and will assess:
- Participation, preparation, and punctuality
- Technical progress - Completion of any assignment(s) given the week prior
2. At the end of the semester, the weekly grades will be averaged together and become the
Studio Grade
3. The Final Grade will be comprised of:
- Studio Grade75%
- Jury Grade30%
- Master Class Attendance 5%
**MASTER CLASS DATES: Wednesday, October 10th, 5:00 – 7:00 MUS213
Wednesday, November 7th, 5:00 -7:00 MUS213
Attendance PolicyIn keeping with the professional objectives of the program, the Department of Choral and Sacred Music at the University of Southern Californiaenforces a strict policy regarding participation and punctuality
1. You must be healthy to participate in this course. Chronic illness causing the
inability to participate in weekly lessons on a regular basis, will affect the studio
grade.
2. Students are to notify their instructor by telephone or email a minimum of 24 hours in
advance of missing a voice lesson.
3. Lessons missed with 24 hours notice given may be made up.
4 Lessons missed without 24-hour notice will not be made up.
5. If three or more lessons are missed during the semester, those lessons may not be able
to be made up. Extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
6. Absences for the following reasons are considered EXCUSED and those lessons will
be made up
* Institutional excuses given five days in advance.
* Death in the immediate family.
* Religious holidays. The University of Southern California, has always sought to acknowledge and accommodate those students who wish to observe religious holy days. It seeks to reflect its awareness and sensitivity to religious holidays whenever possible when scheduling University activities. Each student shall, upon notifying her instructor in writing during the first week of classes, be excused from class to observe a religious holy day of her faith.
Honor CodeSpecific guidelines governing academic integrity are described in SCampus. Additional information can also be found on the Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards Web site at
Policy on
Accommodations
For Students with
DisabilitiesThe University of Southern California is committed to full compliance with the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As part of the implementation of this law, the university will continue to provide reasonable accommodation for academically qualified students with disabilities so that they can participate fully in the university’s educational programs and activities. Although USC is not required by law to change the “fundamental nature or essential curricular components of it programs in order to accommodate the needs of disabled students,” the university will provide reasonable academic accommodation. It is the specific responsibility of the university administration and all faculty serving in a teaching capacity to ensure the university’s compliance with this policy.
The general definition of a student with a disability is any person who has “a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person’s activities,” and any person who has “a history of, or is regarded as having, such an impairment.
Reasonable academic and physical accommodations include but are not limited to: extended time on examinations; substitution of similar or related work for a non-fundamental program requirement; time extensions on papers or projects; special testing procedures; advance notice regarding booklists for visually impaired and some learning disabled students; use of academic aids in the classroom such as note-takers and sign language interpreters; accessibility for students who use wheelchairs and those with mobility impairments; and need for special classroom furniture or special equipment in the classroom.
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