SINGING AND MUSIC 2 - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module provides students with an advanced knowledge and understanding of Technical Singing and Musicianship, building on learning gained at level 4.  Students advance in the exploration of individual vocal growth and development, and acquire greater understanding of the selection and delivery of varied vocal repertoire required for employability in professional Musical Theatre.  Lessons examine the application of advanced technical control, use of vocal qualities, and musicianship required across a variety of historical and cultural Musical Theatre genres and styles required for progression to Level 6 and a career in Musical Theatre and other Creative Industries.

The module comprises of:

• 1-2-1 Singing tutorials for continued focus on the individual students singing voice and technique.


• Small Group Singing tutorials in technical singing through the study of applied technique and vocal set-up through various Musical Theatre styles.


• Repertoire tutorials exploring song styles and genres of Musical Theatre and Musicianship.


• Acting Through Song exploring in-depth integration of text, acting, music and singing skills.


• Audition skills classes imparting requisite techniques required to gain employability and how to sustain a professional career in Musical Theatre.


• Song and Dance classes integrating singing, dancing and acting skills at a level to fully embed stamina and resilience.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

OWENS Racheal (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

None

Module content

1-2-1 Singing

To progress from Level 4 to focus on the individual students singing voice and technique and to provide a platform for students to apply advanced principals of voice production to secure and sustain a robust and healthy technical practice.

Small Group Singing

To progress from Level 4 to focus on technical singing through the study of applied technique and vocal set-up through various Musical Theatre styles and to provide a platform for students to apply advanced principals of voice production to secure and sustain a robust and healthy technical practice.

Repertoire

To progress from Level 4 in the exploration and delivery of song styles and genres of Musical Theatre. Students will continue to cultivate a greater sense of musicianship and the application of appropriate vocal qualities across a variety of historical and cultural Musical Theatre genres and styles to nurture breadth of employable knowledge which then feeds into Audition Skills classes.

Acting Through Song

To progress from Level 4 to fully explore the integration of Text, Acting, Music and Singing skills through the analysis of a variety of historical and cultural Musical Theatre song styles and genres.  To nurture breadth of employable knowledge which then feeds into Audition Skills classes.

Audition Skills

To simulate professional practice in auditions, supported by collaborative discussion to cultivate knowledge and critical thinking in order to deliver the requisite techniques required to gain employability and to sustain a professional career in Musical Theatre. 

Song and Dance

To integrate vocal/singing, dance/movement and acting/story-telling skills to fully embed stamina and resilience commensurate with the work students will undertake throughout Level 6.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate vocal progress and a thorough development of singing/music skills and singing technique.  To display an understanding of professional profile through the comprehensive approach to the choice, preparation, technique and performance of audition materials.  To determine critical and analytical skills of personal practice, application, and awareness conducive to professional Musical Theatre delivery.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Continuous Assessment - 1-2-1 Singing.  Practical Based Assessment - Teaching Blocks 1, 2 & 3

• In-class technical development and progress.


• Breath control and support, posture and alignment, voice quality and vocal set up.


• Indication of personal practice habits, active engagement in 1-2-1 tutorials and meeting set goals.

This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 7

 

Performance Assessment – Technical Singing and Presentation Exam.  Practical Based Assessment - Teaching Block 2

• Demonstration of technical singing and presentation through breath control and support, posture and alignment, voice quality and vocal set up.


• Integration of Acting and Musicianship.


• Presentation of solo song.

This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 3, 4, 6, 7

 

Performance Assessment - Mock Audition.  Practical Based Assessment -  Teaching Block 2

• Contextual understanding.


• Song choice within a given brief.


• Integration of Singing, Acting and Musicianship.


• Presentation of solo song.


• Understanding the individual’s role in the Musical Theatre industry.

This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

 

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is embedded within the learning and teaching for this module.  Mirroring industry practice, students are given detailed constant verbal feedback during classes and rehearsal, which enables students to develop and act upon notes given.  Questioning, dialogue, facilitated peer-to-peer feedback and group discussion is undertaken constantly to enable students develop their critical, and self-reflective skills, to allow them to adjust their work and process in response.

 

Feedback

• Students are given detailed constant formative verbal feedback during classes. 

Students will receive detailed written summative feedback via SurreyLearn on conclusion of each assessment.

Module aims

• Advance the understanding of vocal mechanism, support system, breath management, and vocal control.
• Advance and secure healthy and robust singing techniques specific to the Musical Theatre performer to enable sustainable delivery of eight shows per week.
• Further develop the appreciation and application of musicianship across a variety of musical genres
• Extend the knowledge of Musical Theatre repertoire across a variety of musical genres.
• Develop confidence in the Musical Theatre performer as a soloist and ensemble member.
• Integrate technical singing with dance and movement, acting and story-telling.
• Introduce and evaluate sustained audition processes for wide-ranging employment opportunities in the Musical Theatre Industry.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Provide students with advanced knowledge to support development in singing and musicianship.


• Allow students to develop as professional performers within private and collaborative ensemble learning environments.


• Encourage a sustainable, secure, healthy and robust singing technique in relation to the variety of historical and cultural genres and styles required for employment in the professional Musical Theatre.


• Cultivate professional performance confidence through instruction and the application of information.


• Embed integration of Singing, Acting and Dance skills.


• Develop stamina and sustainable working practices.

 

The learning and teaching methods will include:

• Practical Singing, Acting and Dance classes.


• Practical Small Group and Individual Singing tutorials.


• Group and Individual research sessions.

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: MUT2029

Other information

Guildford School of Acting trains students, within their chosen fields, to have an understanding and appreciation of Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow Musical Theatre students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital Capabilities

Repertoire, Acting Through Song and Audition Skills classes require students to engage with digital technologies to develop their digital literacy, to support their learning journey, to source historical archival Musical Theatre audio and visual reference material, and to locate written vocal materials bespoke to the learner for use in employment opportunities.  Students will use specialist software to create digital and promotional content, and they will use a range of sharing platforms and social media to share this content with industry professionals and creative peers as appropriate. 

Employability

The focus on employability is embedded in the teaching, learning and assessment activities throughout this module  to nurture career ready graduates that will be sought after by employers in the creative industries.  Students receive transferrable employability skills through underpinned professional development within Acting Through song, Repertoire, and Audition Skills classes.  Expert staff with practitioner backgrounds deliver authentic and practical modes of working from the studio, to rehearsal, to peer performance mirroring professional practice.   Students develop transferable skills including independent and collaborative working, creative, critical and reflective thinking, and problem solving.  Students may engage with a range of industry stakeholders who are invited to observe classes. 

Global & Cultural Capabilities

Through music and text chosen in all classes within this module, students will develop their global, social, historical, and cultural awareness, share experiences and knowledge from their own backgrounds and cultures, and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives.  With an open mind and a willingness to engage in discussion, students will develop awareness and appreciate, recognise and interpret diverse perspectives in the characters and communities they will be portraying as actors-in-training.  Students will be able to make informed contributions to the current debates in the creative industries.

 Resourcefulness & Resilience

In this module the learning journey is carefully structured so that performance and rehearsal skills can be learned, developed, and integrated resulting in the student acquiring a broad range of resources which they can continue to use throughout the rest of their training and in future employment settings.  The nature of the work in all classes within this module means students will learn to navigate uncertainty, to deal with risks and challenges, and to take on board personal and professional responsibilities.  The use of formative and summative feedback will enable students to build a thorough overview of their individual process and progress.  The training features independent and collaborative learning, problem solving, communication, perseverance, stamina, critical thinking, self-management, and an understanding of self-value.  Mirroring industry standards students will undertake classes, rehearsals and peer performance schedules which are in line with expectations for a successful Musical Theatre career.  

Sustainability

Throughout the classes within this module students are encouraged to reflect on the social, cultural, ethical, political, economic, and environmental impact of the work they do as individuals and collectively, and to recognise their shared responsibilities.  Students will understand the impact on audiences of the values, perceptions, and actions of their own, of others and of characters they are portraying in rehearsal and performance.  GSA has a strong commitment to working in the studio in the most sustainable way possible. All Voice classes allow the student to work in a sustained safe vocal manner commensurate with rigors of professional delivery.

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 2024/5 academic year.