This compulsory MA/Diploma in Acting moduleto prove training in practical musicianship by developing sight-singing skills, applying them to more challenging works involving harmony and counterpoint. You will learn part-songs, rounds etc. and gain understanding of the concepts of key and mode in music. You will sing in harmony and counterpoint with your fellow students and will be helped to develop memorising skills. As a result of this module you will improve your fluency in sight singing. The aim is to enable students to consolidate an intensive programme of musical work undertaken within the space of a year: students will develop the ability to memorise and sing in parts and the use of the singing voice with a degree of technical assurance.
The work of the module enables the student to develop the fundamentals of good voice production (posture, breath, onset of tone etc.) A sense of rhythm, and develop aural awareness. It aims to provide the student with the appropriate language to critically analyse various singing styles and techniques.
Term One
Understanding the fundamentals of intercostal, diaphragmatic breathing, and the importance of good posture and relaxation.
Correct use of onset, simultaneous with the breath.
Identify a constricted sound and poor use of breath.
Various resonators and differentiate between them.
The functions of the jaw, lips and tongue in singing, and their correct use.
Understanding of the stylistic context in which you are working,
Objective criticism of vocal performance.
The principles required for the correct reproduction of pitch and rhythm.
Knowledge and understanding of music theory to aid music-reading.
Term Two: Development and Application of Technique
This unit is to develop further the technical skills acquired in term one, and apply them to a wider, more demanding, range of repertoire and emotional situations. You will be asked to show practical application of technical work, and to demonstrate:
A balance of relaxation and energy.
Further development of abdominal support, and further development of anchoring.
A development of vocal range through at least one octave.
Further understand, and application of, resonance and placement, resulting in a smooth blend of the passaggi.
Term Three
By the third term the students are regarded as actors who can communicate through song, and are ready to prepare for audition. You will have sufficient confidence in your voice to be able to diversify (as demonstrated in your various public performances) and can attempt various types of repertoire. You will have a good idea of your own vocal identity and can concentrate on pieces that you feel are suited to you, and are beneficial for audition purposes. By the end of Term Three you will be able to:
demonstrate an ability to warm up the voice and recognise the importance of regular "vocalise".
have an understanding of audition technique and to demonstrate knowledge of suitable audition repertoire
prepare a diverse collection of audition songs to include amongst others:
A modern ballad;
An up-tempo song;
A song suitable for unaccompanied audition
demonstrate an understanding of the dramatic context, narrative and emotional context.
Practical Musicianship
This module aims to develop sight-singing skills, applying them to more challenging works involving harmony and counterpoint. You will learn part-songs, rounds etc. and gain understanding of the concepts of key and mode in music. You will sing in harmony and counterpoint with your fellow students and will be helped to develop memorising skills. As a result of this unit you will improve their fluency in sight singing. The aim is to enable students to consolidate an intensive programme of musical work undertaken within the space of a year: students will develop the ability to memorise and sing in parts and the use of the singing voice with a degree of technical assurance.
The work of the module enables the student to develop the fundamentals of good voice production (posture, breath, onset of tone etc.) A sense of rhythm, and develop aural awareness. It aims to provide the student with the appropriate language to critically analyse various singing styles and techniques.
Term One
Understanding the fundamentals of intercostal, diaphragmatic breathing, and the importance of good posture and relaxation.
Correct use of onset, simultaneous with the breath.
Identify a constricted sound and poor use of breath.
Various resonators and differentiate between them.
The functions of the jaw, lips and tongue in singing, and their correct use.
Understanding of the stylistic context in which you are working,
Objective criticism of vocal performance.
The principles required for the correct reproduction of pitch and rhythm.
Knowledge and understanding of music theory to aid music-reading.
Term Two: Development and Application of Technique
This unit is to develop further the technical skills acquired in term one, and apply them to a wider, more demanding, range of repertoire and emotional situations. You will be asked to show practical application of technical work, and to demonstrate:
A balance of relaxation and energy.
Further development of abdominal support, and further development of anchoring.
A development of vocal range through at least one octave.
Further understand, and application of, resonance and placement, resulting in a smooth blend of the passaggi.
Term Three
By the third term the students are regarded as actors who can communicate through song, and are ready to prepare for audition. You will have sufficient confidence in your voice to be able to diversify (as demonstrated in your various public performances) and can attempt various types of repertoire. You will have a good idea of your own vocal identity and can concentrate on pieces that you feel are suited to you, and are beneficial for audition purposes. By the end of Term Three you will be able to:
demonstrate an ability to warm up the voice and recognise the importance of regular "vocalise".
have an understanding of audition technique and to demonstrate knowledge of suitable audition repertoire
prepare a diverse collection of audition songs to include amongst others:
A modern ballad;
An up-tempo song;
A song suitable for unaccompanied audition
demonstrate an understanding of the dramatic context, narrative and emotional context.
Practical Musicianship
This module aims to develop sight-singing skills, applying them to more challenging works involving harmony and counterpoint. You will learn part-songs, rounds etc. and gain understanding of the concepts of key and mode in music. You will sing in harmony and counterpoint with your fellow students and will be helped to develop memorising skills. As a result of this unit you will improve their fluency in sight singing. The aim is to enable students to consolidate an intensive programme of musical work undertaken within the space of a year: students will develop the ability to memorise and sing in parts and the use of the singing voice with a degree of technical assurance.