VOCAL DIVISION HANDBOOK

CONTENTS

Performance Levels Required for Graduation
Repertory Requirements
Performance Requirements
Performance Forums
Recitals (Scheduling and Evaluation)
Juries
Ensemble Participation
Priority in Assignment of Voice Students
Student Requests for Teachers
Convocation and Recital Attendance
Accompanists
Grading
Use of the Forte Piano
Photocopying


PERFORMANCE LEVELS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

B.A. General or Music History:
Must earn 2 hours credit at 351
B.M. Performance:
Must earn 3 hours credit at 451
B.M. Music Education:
Must earn 2 hours credit at 351
Music Minors:
Must be passed to 251


The following are general guidelines and exceptions may occur:

B.M. students spend 2 semesters at each level.

B.M.E. and B.E. students spend 2 semesters at 151, 3 semesters at 251 and at least 1 semester at 351. After requirements have been met, continuation of vocal study will be on a space available basis.

B.A. students will be expected to attempt a level change after the specified number of semesters at a given level. Level-change juries will be limited to two attempts; after 2 unsuccessful attempts students will be dropped from the program.

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REPERTORY REQUIREMENTS

151 B.M., B.M. Music Ed., B.A. (2 credit hours) 4 songs each semester primarily in English and Italian
251 B.M. (3 credit hours) 7 songs each semester in English, Italian and either French or German
251 B.M. Music Ed. & B.A. (2 credit hours) 6-7 songs each semester in English, Italian and either French or German
351 B.M. (3 credit hours) 9 songs each semester in English, Italian, French and/or German
351 B.M. Music Ed. & B.A. (2 credit hours) 8 songs each semester in English, Italian, French and German
451 B.M. (3 credit hours) 11 songs each semester in English, Italian, French and German
451 B.M. Music Ed. & B.A. (2 credit hours) 9 songs each semester in English, Italian, French and German
551 & 651 M.M. in Performance or Pedagogy (2-3 credit hours) 12 songs each semester in English, Italian, French and German
552 M.M. in Music Ed Choral Conducting, EdD (2 credit hours) 8 songs each semester in English, Italian, French and German
751 D.M.A. (2-3 credit hours) 12-15 songs each semester in English, Italian, French and German or another foreign language.


All students studying for 1 semester hour will be required to memorize one half of the number of songs required of the Music Education student at each level.

At the discretion of the teacher, a student may count literature memorized for other courses. This should not exceed 25% of the student's requested repertory. Note: Oratorio and chamber music need not be memorized.

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PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

1. B.M. PERFORMANCE MAJORS
All performance studies majors are required to appear annually on one of the 4 performing forums available during the freshman and sophomore years, to present a juried half-recital at the 351 level and a juried full recital at the 451 level. Songs and/or arias in French, German, Italian and English must be represented in the combined literature of the two recitals. It is strongly suggested that a minimum of one piece composed within the past 50 years be included in the junior or senior recital.

2. B.M. MUSIC EDUCATION MAJORS
All music education voice principals are required to perform on one of the four performing forums annually. A half-recital is required for graduation and will be juried. A student must be at the 351 level in order to present a half-recital.

3. B.A. MAJORS
All students enrolled in the B.A. degree program are expected to perform on any appropriate forum, at the discretion of the performance studies teacher.

4. VOICE MINORS
All students enrolled as voice minors may perform on any appropriate forum at the discretion of the performance studies teacher.

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PERFORMANCE FORUMS

1. JOINT REPERTORY CLASS
There will be four joint repertory classes each year with dates and location to be determined by the division chair. Performance participation will be at the discretion of the teacher; however, preference will be given to students not performing in recitals or convocations. Students normally sing one song or aria when they perform in joint repertory class. Procedure: One faculty member is responsible for organizing the joint repertory classes each year.

2. STUDIO RECITAL
At least four studio recitals will be scheduled in the recital hall annually by the division chair. Participation will be at the discretion of the teacher and will include students from as many studios as possible. No recital jury is required. Students normally sing a small group of songs (2, 3 or 4). Procedure: Each year one faculty member will be assigned the responsibility of assembling the program to be submitted to the appropriate secretary for final printing. Faculty members are responsible for seeing that program copy is accurate for their students and is submitted on the proper form by the announced deadline.

3. CONVOCATION
Convocation appearances are open to all students at the discretion of the teacher. Students who wish to perform for convocation are advised to submit the proper forms to the associate dean early in the semester. Students normally sing a group of songs or arias which fit together programmatically (by language or composer). Procedure: A convocation request card should be obtained by the student from the office, filled out, and signed by the performance studies teacher. The card should be returned to the associate dean no later than one week prior to the requested date. Performance studies teachers will be notified of the date on which their student is performing on later than the Monday preceding the requested convocation date. Convocations are reserved for solo performers, small ensembles or invited guests. Classes or large groups may request booking (fifteen minutes maixmum) on any convocation preceding the final three of each semester. Students performing for convocation are allotted a maximum or one hour of rehearsal time in the recital hall.

4. RECITAL
A half recital is required of all B.M. majors (Music Education and Performance). Students must be at the 351 level. A full recital is required of all B.M. Performance majors and these students must be at the 451 level. All of these recitals must be juried.

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RECITALS

(Scheduling and Evaluation)
1. All 351-level recitals will be scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday.

2. The student is responsible for scheduling the recital. He/she should check the school calendar in the Music Office (Room 220) for available dates, and then complete the concert/recital reservation form which is also available in the office. The performance studies teacher confirms the date by signing the form and is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the program copy. Program copy is due as soon as the recital jury has been approved.

3. D.M.A. students should ensure the availability of the members of their committee before selecting a recital date.

4. The topic for a Lecture Recital must be approved by each member of the student's committee. It is the responsibility of the performance studies teacher to supervise (or ensure that another faculty member supervises) the writing for a lecture recital. The written portion should be submitted to the voice faculty at the time of the recital jury in final or near final form.

5. All student recitals, except studio recitals and D.M.A. recitals after the first one, must be juried. (see section on Juries for procedure)

6. Half-recitals should consist of no more than 25 minutes of music. Full recitals should consist of mo more than 50 minutes of music. Exceptions to these must be approved by the vocal division.

Evaluation of Recitals

A minimum of two faculty members in addition to the student's teacher will constitute a quorum for evaluating all recitals. It is the responsibility of each voice teacher to notify the teacher of the performer when she or he does not plan to attend.

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JURIES

End-of-Semester Juries

1. It is expected that all members of the Division of Vocal Studies teaching studio voice will participate in the evaluation of all end-of-semester juries. Participation of part-time faculty will be limited by the nature of the appointment. Absences necessitated by School of Music or professional responsibilities must be cleared in advance with the division chair.

2. All voice majors and principals are required to sing a jury, except those presenting recitals or recital juries during the course of the semester. D.M.A. students and students studying for one hour of credit may be exempted on the recommendation of the studio teacher.

3. For the jury, the student will list his/her repertory on the performance studies form and will be prepared to sing all songs listed as completed. The student will select one song to be performed, and the faculty will select one or two additional songs.

4. The student must be prepared to recite a word-for-word translation of any portion of the repertory listed as completed.

5. Level-change juries (to 251 and to 351) will include melodic and rhythmic sight reading and the singing of specific intervals.

Recital Juries and Make-up Juries

1. It is the responsibility of each performance studies teacher to make arrangements for the juries of his or her students. Make-up juries should be scheduled as soon as possible after the missed jury. If a jury is scheduled at a time when a teacher is already committed to work with another enrolled UNCG student, that teacher may indicate that he or she cannot attend. A minimum of two faculty members in addition to the student's teacher will constitute a quorum.

2. All recital juries must be heard at least four weeks prior to the scheduled performance. Failure to allow four weeks between the jury and the recital may force postponement of the recital.

3. Students must be prepared to recite word-for-word translations of all songs to be performed in a foreign language.

4. Any student who receives an incomplete (I) for the end-of-semester grade in voice is required to sing a make-up jury within the first week of the following semester.

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ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION

The Division of Vocal Studies sponsors these "large" performing ensemble:

  • Chorale
  • Women's Choir
  • Women's Glee Club
  • Men's Glee Club
  • Chamber Singers

and this "small" performing ensemble:

  • Opera Chorus

1. All undergraduate private voice students must participate in at least one of these ensembles while registered for study.* Students receiving two hours credit will participate in a "large" ensemble: those receiving one hour credit will participate in either a "large" or "small" ensemble.

2. Certification students in the choral/general program must participate in one of these ensembles ("large" or "small") each semester they are enrolled for vocal study.

3. Graduate non-music majors taking vocal instruction must be enrolled in at least one vocal ensemble, "large" or "small."

4. Graduate students at the master's level are required to take two hours (one in each of two semesters) in "large" vocal ensembles.

5. Vocal Division policy stipulates that a student will participate in no more than two School of Music ensembles in any semester (not to exceed eight clock hours of rehearsal per week) without the permission of the chair of the division.

*This requirement does not apply to those students studying privately with members of the Music 641 class.

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PRIORITY IN ASSIGNMENT OF VOICE STUDENTS

All students interested in private vocal study must audition or be recommended by a member of the Vocal Studies Division. Priority for assigning students will be as follows:

1. Undergraduate and graduate performance studies majors.

2. Undergraduate music education voice principals.

3. B.A. students whose principal instrument is voice.

4. Graduates in music education or choral conducting who have been recommended for vocal study.

5. Music minors.

6. Music majors who elect voice as a secondary area of study.

7. Non-music students who through audition for a faculty member (or members) are recommended for private study.

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STUDENT REQUESTS FOR TEACHERS

Every effort will be made to grant requests for performance studies teachers. Priority will be based in part upon procedures for student assignments outlined above. In cases where teacher requests exceed available load space, the requested teacher, in consultation with the division chair, will attempt to identify those commitments which he or she feels are strongest. Teachers should inform students who inquire that requests should be made in writing, dated, and sent to the division chair. In cases where students have requested more than one teacher, and there is no obvious preference, the chair will make assignments based upon available space, balance of student ability in the studios, and personal and pedagogical considerations which might affect progress. Faculty members are asked to keep the chair apprised of all requests as they come in. Faculty members are urged to engage in those kinds of professional activities which may lead to personal interaction with prospective students.

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CONVOCATION AND RECITAL ATTENDANCE

Convocation Attendance (Music 090 - no credit)

1. General Music Major (B.A.) Must complete requirements during four (4) semesters.

2. Vocal Performance Major (B.M.) Must complete requirements during seven (7) semesters.

3. Choral/General Music Education Major (K-12) Must complete requirements during seven (7) semesters.

4. Students must attend at least seventy-five percent of the convocations each semester they are enrolled.

Recital Attendance (Music 091 - no credit)

1. General Music Major (B.A.) Must complete requirements during seven (7) semesters.

2. Vocal Performance Major (B.M.) Must complete requirements during seven (7) semesters.

3. Choral/General Music Education Major (K-12) Must complete requirements during seven (7) semesters.

4. Attendance at ten (10) recitals is required of all undergraduate students each semester they are registered.

5. Students may count two (2) concerts in which they participated.

6. At the end of each semester, the student will fill out the Recital Attendance form and turn it in, with ten (10) programs from concerts attended, to his or her performance studies teacher. The teacher will sign the form and indicate approval or disapproval of the programs submitted. The teacher will then submit the form to the Dean's office.

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ACCOMPANISTS

Students are primarily responsible for securing their own accompanists. Some piano principals and majors are required to accompany one student each semester. Those enrolled in the accompanying class and/or small ensemble will have additional accompanying requirements. Students who are fulfilling a requirement may not be paid for accompanying. However, a student who has fulfilled the requirement(s) may, at the discretion of his or her teacher, assume additional accompanying responsibilities which may include a fee. One faculty member from the Keyboard division will be assigned the responsibility of coordinating accompanying assignments each semester. Students who have been unsuccessful in securing an accompanist will have their names submitted to the appropriate person by their performance studies assignments will be made on a priority basis until the pool of available accompanists is exhausted. A list of area accompanists interested in accompanying for a fee is available and may be used as needed.
Accompanists should be given the music to be performed at the beginning of each semester. While occasionally it is necessary to substitute new literature for music which proves to be beyond the capabilities of the singer, voice teachers should keep the abilities of the accompanists in mind and make changes only when absolutely necessary.

Students should establish a professional relationship which is both responsible and courteous with their accompanists. Problems which cannot be solved in the studio should be communicated by the performance studies teacher to the accompanist's teacher.

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GRADING

Grading is the prerogative of the individual faculty member; however, the nature of studio teaching is such that some objective measure may be needed to ensure fairness and impartiality. It is suggested that one-third of the student's final grade each semester be the average of those grades submitted by each faculty member at the jury.
All juried performances will be evaluated by each studio voice teacher attending the performance, indicating on a route sheet whether the performance was satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

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USE OF THE FORTE PIANO

1. The forte piano may not be used for anything less than one-third of a full-length recital.

2. Rehearsal must be scheduled through the office.

3. Rehearsals in the recital hall using the forte piano will be limited to the dress rehearsal, preferably the day before the scheduled performance.

4. Requests for the use of the forte piano should be made on the forms used to schedule recitals. These forms should be submitted to the chair of the Keyboard Division no later than one month before the recital.

5. The instrument should be covered after use.

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PHOTOCOPYING

Federal copyright laws protect composer's and publisher's rights against illegal photocopying. The Division of Vocal Studies supports these laws by encouraging students to build their own personal music libraries by systematically purchasing legal copies of music in the standard repertoire for their voice types. Questions concerning the legality of photocopying under extenuating circumstances should be directed to the division chair. Use of photocopies or other reproductions of music under protection by copyright laws will not be tolerated in juries or public performance sponsored by the Division of Vocal Studies.

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and was last updated on Friday, 31-Mar-2006 14:06:18 EST