The music department at Minnesota State University Moorhead offers a variety of courses in the area of voice. Applied Voice lessons are offered at every level for students pursuing a music major or minor, or who are currently enrolled in an MSUM vocal ensemble (see Choral Studies). Weekly lessons include vocal study in Italian, German, French, Latin and the English repertoire along with weekly performance classes where a student has ample opportunity to perform. Vocal Pedagogy, Diction and Song Literature are just a few of the courses that are offered in the area of vocal study. For further information please feel free to contact Jenny Dufault or Rod Rothlisberger at:

Applied Voice Instructors

• Ms. Julie Adams
• Ms. Robin Allebach
• Mrs. Jenny Dufault
• Dr. Paul Nesheim
• Dr. Rod Rothlisberger
• Dr. Charles E. Ruzicka
• Mr. David Watson

Courses available

MUS 152 Class Voice (1 credit)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Class instruction. Designed for students with limited background in applied voice instruction. May be repeated for credit.

Private Voice Lessons: Who is eligible for lessons? All music majors, music minors, or any students singing in a choral ensemble.

MUS 154 Music Performance: Voice Level 1 (1-2 credits)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Individual or small group (2 or 3) instruction and master classes. May be repeated for credit.

MUS 254 Music Performance: Voice Level 2 (1-2 credits)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Individual instruction and master classes. May be repeated for credit.

MUS 354 Music Performance: Voice Level 3 (1-3 credits)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Individual instruction and master classes. May be repeated for credit.

MUS 454 Music Performance: Voice Level 4 (1-3 credits)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Individual instruction and master classes. May be repeated for credit.

MUS 329 Men's Choir (1 credit)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Open to all university men without audition. Singers perform choral literature selected from classical and modern styles. Maybe repeated for credit.

MUS 329 Women's Choir (1 credit)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Open to all university women without audition. Singers perform choral literature selected from classical and modern styles. May be repeated for credit.

MUS 329 Concert Choir (1 credit)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Open to all university students. Selection by audition. Repertoire spans Renaissance to Modern styles. Annual tour. May be repeated for credit.

MUS 329 Vocal Jazz Ensemble (1 credit)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Open to all university students. Selection by audition. Jazz-style repertory with both a cappella singing styles and works accompanied by rhythm section. May be repeated for credit.

MUS 329 Opera Workshop (1-2 credits)

• Fall: Demand
• Spring: Demand
• Open to all university students. Selection by audition. Performance of a variety of opera scenes, as well as full opera production. May be repeated for credit.

MUS 191 Diction (2 credits)

• Fall: Odd Years
• Instruction for voice students in the proper pronunciation of Latin, Italian, German and French for solo song and choral singing. Introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet for notation of speech sounds.

MUS 251 Commercial Applied Voice (1-2 credits)

• Fall: Odd years
• Class instruction and recording studio experience in commercial singing styles, techniques, etiquette and vocal health. Prerequisite: MUS 154

MUS 432 Voice Pedagogy (2 credits)

• Fall: Odd years
• Will include physiology, anatomy, teaching techniques, demonstration models and a practicum. Will focus on social, educational, family and peer pressure that affect the singing standards of the adolescent interested in pursuing vocal performance skills.  Intended for majors and minors in music.

MUS 440 Music Literature: Solo Song (2 credits)

• Spring: Even years
• Study of solo song literature. Intended for majors and minors in music.

MUS 442 Music Literature: Choral (2 credits)

• Fall: even Years
• Study of choral literature. Intended for majors and minors in music.

MUS 446 Music Literature: Opera (2 credits)

• Spring: Odd years
• Study of opera literature. Intended for majors and minors in music.

MUS 450 Student Recital (1credit)

• Fall: All Years
• Spring: All Years
• Special supplemental applied study in preparation for public recital appearance. May be repeated once for credit.

Voice Syllabus

Course Description:  Individual or small group instruction and master classes.

Objectives:  In order to develop vocal ability, each student will:

1.   Improve vocal technique, including breath management, range extension, vowel formation, flexibility, and tone quality.

2.   Sing with good musicianship, including accurate pitch, correct rhythm, appropriate style, phrasing, and attention to score details.

3.   Demonstrate a sense of musicality in the communication of text and a sense of ensemble (singer/accompanist).

4.   Perform vocal literature in foreign languages, namely Italian, German, Latin, French and/or Spanish.

5.   Develop an awareness of appropriate performance practice, including differences of style among the various periods.

Instructional Strategies:  Private (or group) lessons, individual practice, rehearsal with accompanist, and performance at lessons, classes, recitals, and final juries.

Course requirements:  Prepare, hear, analyze, and perform repertoire appropriate to the student’s level and ability, and purchase music as recommended by the instructor.

Evaluation:  Grades are determined by 1) preparation for lessons; 2) performances at studio classes and recitals; 3) attendance at lessons, studio classes, and voice recitals; and 4) final jury grades

Juries:  Each student registered in Music 154 and 254 will prepare two memorized selections for a voice faculty jury at the end of each semester. Before registration at the 354 level, an Upperdivisional Jury most be passed which requires the preparation and performance of three song/arias in three languages. At the 354 and 454 levels three pieces will be prepared and two pieces will be performed. The student and his/her instructor will select one and the jury will select one of the other two.)

Class Schedule:  Performance/Studio Classes on Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. and a private lesson time arranged with instructor.

Attendance Policy:  Students are expected to attend all lessons, all studio classes and all voice recitals (See attachment).  A limited number of absences throughout the year are allowed for such things as tours and out-of-town performances.  For ALL absences, please notify the instructor or call the music office and ask the secretary to leave a note for the instructor at least one hour prior to the lesson time.  Any lessons missed by the instructor for reasons other than illness will be made up.

Special Accommodations:  Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114, as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.)

Voice Recital Attendance Policy

Because a musician’s performance is greatly affected by the observation of other performers, the Minnesota State University Moorhead Voice Faculty strongly concurs that it is to the advantage of music students to attend several concerts each semester.

Therefore, attendance at all MSUM faculty and student voice recitals is required each semester.  If for some reason you are unable to attend said voice recitals you may attend two other choral/vocal concerts in lieu of each voice recital missed.  You may wish to consider the following:

a)     Vocal/Choral Artist Series Concerts at MSUM, NDSU, and Concordia

c)     Community performances by the F-M Civic Opera, F-M Chamber Chorale, and F-M Master Chorale,

d)     Faculty and Student Voice Recitals at other colleges and universities.

A copy of the program and a brief typed evaluation of all performances should be submitted to your applied voice instructor in a timely manner.  In any case, all reports must be in your teacher’s hands by the day of voice juries.  Your account of the performances should reflect your very best writing style.  Failure to meet this requirement will be reflected in the semester grade.

Attending these concerts/recitals will also help fulfill the Music Department Convocation/Concert Attendance Requirement for music majors.

 

STAFF ACCOMPANIST POLICY

 

Using a Staff Accompanist for the Entire Semester

 

Option A. The fee for academic year 2008-2009 for the use of a staff accompanist for an entire semester is $330.00. This amount will be charged to the student’s account. The $330.00 fee entitles the student to

•    10 hours total accompanying at lessons and rehearsals (accompanists will attend all lesson and remaining  time will be for rehearsals)

 PLUS

•     performances at studio classes, in the MSUM concerto competition, and NATS competition, preliminary and final rounds, if the student participates

PLUS

•     a recital screening and performance

PLUS

•     an end-of-semester jury

 

The $330.00 fee is all-inclusive: there is no additional charge if the student participates in the concerto competition, gives a recital, and has an end-of-semester jury. There is no refund if a student does less than this.

 

Option B. The fee for academic year 2008-2009 for the use of a staff accompanist for an entire semester is $220.00. This amount will be charged to the student’s account. The $220.00 fee entitles the student to

•     8-10 hours total accompanying at lessons and rehearsals (accompanists will attend all lessons and remaining time will be for rehearsals)

 PLUS

•     performances at studio classes, in the MSUM concerto competition, and the NATS competition preliminary and final rounds, if the student participates

PLUS

•     an end-of-semester jury

 

There is no refund if a student does less than this.  The $220 fee does not include preparation for a recital or recital screening.

 

Option C  The fee for academic year 2008-2009 for the use of a staff accompanist for an entire semester is $110. This amount will be charged to the student’s account.  The $110.00 fee entitles the student to:

•     5 hours total accompanying at lessons and rehearsals in alternate weeks

PLUS

•     performances at studio classes

PLUS 

•     an end-of-semester jury

There is no refund if a student does less than this.  The $110.00 does not include preparation for a recital or recital screening or any competitions or auditions.

 

Using a Staff Accompanist for Part of the Semester

 

Option D After all requests for the use of a staff accompanist for the entire semester have been fulfilled, requests for the use of a staff accompanist for part of a semester will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Instrumental students often do not need an accompanist for an entire semester yet do wish to be accompanied for an end-of-semester jury or the concerto competition. The academic year 2008-2009 fee for partial semester use of a staff accompanist is $110.00. This fee entitles the student to

 

•     3-4 total hours of accompanying (lessons and rehearsals)

PLUS

•     one end-of-semester performance and jury (of the same musical work)

 OR

•     performances in the preliminary and final rounds of the MSUM concerto competition.

Instrumentalists tend to use an accompanist when they are preparing major works such as a sonata or concerto.  The fee of $110.00 reflects the work necessary for the staff accompanist to prepare these types of musical works.

 

Student Responsibilities

 

1.      Submit your course schedule to your assigned teacher as soon as it is finalized (well before the first day of classes, if possible). You and your preferred accompanist should meet with your teacher as early as possible in the semester to arrange a lesson time.

 

2.      Promptly purchase the music you are assigned and give it to your accompanist as soon as it is available.

 

3.      Write down your rehearsal times and arrive promptly for them.

 

4.      If you cannot attend a rehearsal due to illness, contact your accompanist as soon as possible.

 

Missed Rehearsals and Lessons

 

No refunds will be made for rehearsals or lessons missed by the student, nor are make-up sessions guaranteed. In most cases, staff accompanists will arrange to attend make-up lessons and rehearsals if adequate advance notice has been given; however, they are not required to do so.

 

Voice Recital Guidelines

This document outlines all necessary requirements prior to performing in voice recitals at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The following degrees require recitals:

Vocal selections sung in a variety of languages must be included on each recital. It is also understood that you are expected, with the guidance of your voice instructor, to organize your recital selections in an appropriate order.

The following timeline is intended as a guideline to best prepare you for your upcoming recital:

1 Semester Prior Recital:

• Begin selecting appropriate literature for recital with voice teacher
• Select possible dates for recital with voice teacher
• Check in music office for any conflicts, and secure date/place (Fox Recital Hall-CA150 AND Band Room CA100‹Noise)

3 Months Prior to Recital:

• Give all recital music to accompanist in a 3-hole binder

2 Months Prior Recital:

• Check with music office that date is still secure
• Arrange for recital to be recorded through music office (if applicable)
• Prepare for screening
  • In addition to your voice instructor, invite all other voice faculty to serve on your screening committee, simultaneously selecting a screening date and time, considering your accompanist's availability (a minimum of three voice faculty must be present)
  • Arrange for a screening date, time and place (Fox Recital Hall in most cases) in Music Office
  • Invite all voice faculty members to the scheduled screening

5 Weeks Prior to Recital:

• Procure recital screening form from music office
• Type draft of program (see attached example) and make copies for faculty screening committee
• Type translations for foreign language pieces and make copies for faculty screening committee
• Have all music memorized (strongly recommended)

1 Month Prior to Recital:

• Sing for screening committee (entire program memorized-committee will select from draft program)
• Have screening faculty proofread program/translations
• If approved, finalize program/translations through music office and specify how many copies should be made
• Arrange for any reception tables desired through music office
• Design poster (see attached example)

2 Weeks Prior to Recital:

• Request piano tuning through music office
• Select appropriate attire (possible rehearse in it; i.e., women in high heels)
• Distribute posters around MSUM, Concordia and NDSU campuses
• Mail invitations to special guests and faculty
• Arrange for desired flowers
• Arrange for desired catering

2-3 Days Prior Prior to Recital:

• Reaffirm with music office that tables will be set up for reception and that the Recital Hall will be cleaned and cleared
• Photocopy "Quiet" sign (3)
• Procure programs/translations from music office and proof again

Day of Recital:

• Arrive 1-1.5 hour early to set stage, piano, lights, dust piano, unlock doors
• Hang "Quiet" signs outside Recital Hall
• Procure flower stand from music office storage room
• Sing fabulously!!!

Recital Program Considerations

In creating your printed program, translation sheet and recital poster, please keep the following in mind:

• Titles should be printed in the language in which the piece is sung
• Titles in the printed program should agree with titles on the translation page
• Capitalization guidelines for titles are as follows:

  English: Most words are capitalized
  German: First words and nouns are capitalized
  French, Italian, Spanish, Latin, etc.: Only first words and proper nouns are capitalized

• For pieces sung in Russian, Japanese and other languages without Roman alphabets, use the following format:

  Title (sung in Russian)