SINGING AND MUSIC 2 - 2020/1

Module code: MUT2023

Module Overview

This module is focused on providing students with an advanced knowledge and understanding of technical singing and musicianship within the context of Musical Theatre. Classes are practical, with continued exploration of individual vocal growth and development. Classes include individual singing tutorials, single sex singing, repertoire exploration, and the integration of song and dance, and vocal presentation. As the module progresses, lessons will examine the application of advanced technical control, use of vocal qualities, and musicianship required across a variety of musical theatre genres and styles.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

WILLIAMS Frances (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 35

Seminar Hours: 115

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Successful completion of Singing and Music 1

Module content

Individual tutorials and single sex singing classes will provide a platform for students to apply advanced principals of voice production and secure a robust and healthy technical practice. Song and dance, as well as vocal presentation will promote an Integration of vocal practice with dance/movement, and acting/story-telling. Students will continue to cultivate a greater sense of musicianship and the application of appropriate vocal qualities across a variety of musical theatre genres and styles within repertoire classes. Throughout this module students will continue to develop critical and analytical skills of personal practice, application, and awareness conducive to professional practice. This module includes:


  • 1 to 1 Singing Tutorials: private tutorials in pedagogy and technique

  • Single Sex Singing: gender specific pedagogy and technique, small group singing              

  • Repertoire: development repertoire, and musicianship

  • Song and Dance: integration of skills

  • Vocal Presentation: integration of skills


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Practical based assessment Continuous Assessment: Singing 60
Practical based assessment Practical Based Assessment: Singing - Technical Singing and Presentation Exam (Teaching Block 2) 40

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The Assessment Strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate vocal progress and a sound development of singing/music skills, singing technique, and theoretical knowledge.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Practical Based Assessment: Singing – Continual Assessment (Process) 60%


  • Singing assessment based on in class technical development and progress: breath control and support, posture and alignment, voice quality and vocal set up.

  • Inclusive of personal practice habits, evidence of journaling, active engagement in 1 to 1 tutorials, meeting set goals.

  • Formative verbal feedback.



Practical Based Assessment: Singing – Technical Singing and Presentation Exam 40% (Summative)


  • Singing assessment based on technique and presentation: Demonstration of breath control and support, posture and alignment, voice quality and vocal set up, within the context of solo song presentation.

  • Integration of acting/storey-telling and technical singing.

  • Summative written feedback.



Formative assessment is crucial to this module. In mirroring industry practice, students are given detailed constant verbal feedback during classes and rehearsal, which enables students to develop and act upon notes given. Students are encouraged to create a reflective journal which encourages and develops their own reflective practice.

Module aims

  • To advance the understanding of the vocal mechanism, support system, breath management, and vocal control.
  • To advance and secure healthy and robust singing technique specific to the musical theatre performer conducive to 8 shows per week.
  • To further develop the application of musicianship: musical style, genre etc.
  • To develop the knowledge of musical theatre repertoire across a variety of musical genres
  • To continue development of confidence as a soloist or ensemble member.
  • To integrate technical singing with dance and movement, as well as acting and story-telling

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Demonstrate integrated skills in acting, singing and dancing to a professional level. P
002 Examine current and historical practitioners; their theories and practices. K
003 Develop a sophisticated tool kit of performance techniques K
004 Critically analyse, reflect upon and evaluate yours and other’s work C
005 Examine research theory and its application C
006 Develop a performance, imagination and understanding of style and genre C
007 Demonstrate discipline and consistency in a professional context T
008 Develop a professional profile through selection, preparation and performance material T
009 Communicate effectively in a physical, verbal or written forum T
010 Develop and demonstrate the effective application of learned practices P
011 Demonstrate creative, original and imaginative approaches to work in performance P
012 Demonstrate a continually developing approach to skills acquisition P

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

· Provide students with advanced knowledge that will support further development in singing and musicianship. Students will work in ensemble and private learning environments and will receive regular verbal feedback from tutors.

· Encourage a secured, healthy and robust singing technique specific to musical theatre

· Encourage and cultivate confidence through instruction and the application of information.

· Encourage the integration of skills: singing, acting and dance.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MUT2023

Other information

Under the three term structure that commences from academic year 2019/0 – this module’s delivery is year-long due to the teaching occurring in Teaching Blocks 1, 2 and 3.

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Musical Theatre BA (Hons)(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.