VOICE & SINGING - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module builds on the work at Level 4 and extends the technical base and physical delivery of Voice and Singing in performance. Students study a range of techniques that support them in the delivery of Classical, Modern and Musical Theatre Text.

As with all voice and singing programmes at GSA - the module take into account and is sensitive to individual student need. A range of perspectives are employed to ensure the module understands the rich heritage of the students who study bringing with them a range of global, personal and social perspectives. 

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

PALMER Chris (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Singing (Ensemble Singing, 1-1 Singing)

Covers extending the core technique from Level 4. Looking at extending and encouraging and enabling the student to extend and deepen their understanding and performance capability.

Voice & Text

The Vocal portion of the module looks to extend core technique, and looks at the application of knowledge in praxis with the assessment.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

Practical evidence of a developing skill-base in voice and singing as an actor-musician.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Unit 1: Voice (Continuous) 40% Student Activity

• Demonstration of Healthy Technique

• Textual accuracy and expression of meaning

• A high degree of autonomy in personal practice

• Adaptive vocal style.

Unit 2: Singing (Continuous) 40% Student Activity

• Demonstration of Healthy Technique

• Delivery of Text within Song with expression and meaning

• Delivery of melodic line with precision

• Autonomy in personal practice

• Effective delivery of differing vocal styles

Unit 3: Voice & Singing (Musical Performance) 20% Student Activity

• Awareness of Healthy Technique in performance

• Delivery of Text and Meaning in performance

• Engagement with vocal style in performance

• Strong singing skills evident in the work

• Accuracy and precision in ensemble work

Formative assessment

N/A

Feedback

These are practical or process assessments that provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate and receive feedback sequentially. Students receive verbal and written feedback and also benefit from personal tutorials where this feedback can be discussed after reflection and grading has taken place.

Module aims

• • Encourage a high degree of individuality in voice and work towards a balance of healthy vocal function
• • Technically help with the demands placed on the voice and body with a variety of texts and vocal genres.
• • Increase the flexibility of the voice and secure a robust technique specific to the actor/musician.
• • Deliver a sound subject knowledge and approach to vocal style in relation to singing.
• • Enhance and increase confidence as a soloist and/or ensemble member.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Place an emphasis on the practical development of vocal skills that are required as an actor-musician.

The module aims to work with Level 5 students to extend practical skills in voice and singing.

Practical classes are delivered in a year-long module to encourage a continuous approach to practice and enable the practical skill base to grow. The third assessment is a synoptic assessment where skills are assessed in practice alongside the performance of the Musical Theatre Project where Level 5 work meets and is integrated in a performance scenario.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Across the year this module is delivered over 300 hours study with a blend of personal study time and practical class based delivery.

Voice Classes – Year Long

Text Classes – Year Long

Ensemble Singing Classes – Year Long

1-1 Singing – Six Hours across Block 1, 2 & 3

Throughout the module different learning and teaching strategies are applied to enable students to achieve the learning outcomes, including research, reflective practice, peer to peer learning and formative assessment with detailed written feedback.

• The approach of the module is vocational in content and delivery and encourages students to participate in reflection on their own practice, independent study and research and embeds the concepts of peer to peer feedback within the rehearsal studio. Students are encouraged to utilise materials on SURREY LEARN and also receive individual tutorials from staff to help in forming their learning experience.

• Students receive regular verbal feedback both individually and as a group during each class which they are encouraged to journal and use for reflection.

• Students are encouraged to self-assess and peer-assess within the class structure and as part of the ethos of continuous actor training. Lesson plans are structured to take account of and deliver for students with a specifc bias toward visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning enabling differentation of techniques within the class and a sensitivity towards inclusivity.

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: AMT2013

Other information

GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.

Programmes this module appears in

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 2023/4 academic year.