Wilkes University Syllabus MUS 100 Voice Lesson One Credit Hour Fall 2020

Instructor: Leesa Levy DMA

Office Hours: Times available via zoom by appointment.
Contact Information: Email is best – leesa.levy@wilkes.edu; Home phone: 570-800-1281
Cell phone: 570-677-0490

Course Materials: A 3-ring binder with dividers, labels, and plastic sheets to hold music and
assignments, a copy of the syllabus and other forms
Copies of song literature and music texts as assigned
Digital recording and playback device (i.e. a mobile phone)

A. Course Purpose and Goals

The course is specifically designed to enhance a student's vocal performance in classical (bel
canto) and musical theater (including belt) singing technique. The primary emphasis is placed on
establishing healthy vocal technique that will enable the student to pursue singing as a life skill
and potential career.

A secondary emphasis, which grows from the student's development of healthy vocal technique,
is the exploration of vocal literature appropriate for the student's voice, physique, and personality.
Within these emphases the student should apply themselves to the following learning outcomes:

1. A functional understanding of the breathing mechanism and vocal apparatus and how each
operates, proper posture, and relaxation techniques for singing.
2. The effects that certain personal vocal production mannerisms have on the student's
resulting sound and a better understanding of how to change individual vocal
techniques for a more positive outcome.
3. A basic understanding of potential repertoire for the student's particular voice type
4. Effective practice, memorization, and audition skills and efficiency in bringing song
literature to a performance ready state.

B. Course Philosophy and Policies

1. Attendance is expected at ALL individual lessons. Student excuses for lesson absences
must be received by the instructor via email, telephone call or text at least 2 hours
prior to the start of the lesson to be considered valid. Excuses must be verifiable.
Acceptance of the excuse is at the discretion of the instructor. Absences and multiple
tardiness will result in the lowering of the student's grade for the course. The student will
lose five points for each unexcused absence and one point for each tardiness.

Department policy regarding make-up lessons:

If the teacher misses a lesson, a make-up lesson will be scheduled. If the
student misses the make-up, the student forfeits that lesson (and any
points for same). If a student is absent the lesson will not be made up.

2. It is expected that students will practice technical exercises and song literature assigned
by the instructor a minimum of three hours per week. This practice should be split
up over five – six days.

3. Rebecca Elfman is the studio accompanist. She will arange a rehearsal schedule with you.
Rehearsals count as part of the lesson grade. Each student is required to create copies
of his/her vocal selections and submit them to Rebecca with contact information by the

1
 end of the second week of classes. Keep track of rehearsals and literature that you
practice with Rebecca. A copy of your signed rehearsal sheet will be due at midterm and
for your final lesson.

C. Learning Activities
Each student will be assigned technical exercises designed to strengthen percieved weaknesses in
vocal production. These exercises are to be included in the student's daily warm-up and practice
routine. At the end of the semester, an a-capella test of the exercises will be administered in a
lesson, the results count toward the student's GPA for the course.

Additional exercises in sight-reading, rhythmic drills, ear training, etc. will be added by the
instructor as deemed necessary. These exercises are to be included in the student's daily warm-up
and practice routine.

Each student taking a one-half hour lesson at this level is required to learn a minimum of four
songs selected by the instructor. Two of these must be memorized and performance ready by
midterm. One of the remaining two must be performance ready two weeks prior to the end of
semester vocal jury. The fourth song should be well-learned from the score. A typical grade
resulting from the learning of the minimum number of songs to a performance ready level is a B
to B- (80-86% or no higher than a 3.0) as outlined on the chart below. Learning the fourth
song at a perfromance level and/or learning more literature will add points to the student's grade.

Supporting studies will include:

1. The completion of three Professional Recording Critiques of the assigned
literature. These are due at midterm, late assignments will not be
accepted.
2. The completed Semester Review form and completed Vocal Jury Adjudication
form due by the final lesson of the semester

D. Assessment and Grading: Each element and its potential point load is outlined below
Lessons (Possible 65 point total, 5 per lesson)
Exercises/Technique (Possible 6 point total)
Accompanist (Possible 5 point total)
Listening Critique Assignments (Possible 6 points total)
Mid term: One song, (possible 9 points total)
Final Jury: One song (different from the midterm, possible 9 points total)
Extra literature learned: 1 point per selection

Accumulated points Quality of Work GPA

93% - 100% Outstanding quality 4.0
87% - 92% High quality 3.5
80% - 86% Good quality 3.0
71% - 79% Satisfactory quality 2.5
62% - 70% Acceptable quality 2.0
51% - 61% Minimum quality,
below graduation standards 1.5
50% and below Unacceptable quality,
below graduation standards 1.0

To determine your class average, keep track of your lesson, assignment performance points. Add the points
together and use the percentage outlined above to assess your class average.