SINGING AND MUSIC 1 - 2025/6

Module Overview

This Module introduces and provides students with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of primary principals of the singing voice and musicianship required for professional Musical Theatre. Classes examine the application of technical control, anatomy, technical and physiological elements of singing, use of vocal qualities, and musicianship required across a variety of Musical Theatre genres and styles.

 

The module comprises of:

• 1-2-1 Singing tutorials focussing on the individual students singing voice and technique


• Vocal Anatomy classes focusing on the fundaments of vocal anatomy


• Large and Small Group Singing tutorials in technical singing through the study of applied technique and vocal set-up


• Ensemble Singing classes in musicianship and ensemble vocal skill


• Music Skills tutorials imparting knowledge on music theory


• Repertoire tutorials focusing on the exploration of song styles and genres of Musical Theatre and to develop musicianship


• Acting Through Song to establish the integration of text, acting, music and singing skills


• Musical Staging Class to establish integration of acting, text, character, music and movement

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

CRIPPS Kevin (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

1-2-1 Singing

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

 

Vocal Anatomy

To focus on the fundaments of the anatomy and the mechanics of the voice and body to enable healthy and sustained technical singing facility.

 

Large and Small Group Singing

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 principals of voice production to acquire fundamentals of secure and healthy technical practice.

 

Ensemble Singing

To facilitate the experience of harmony, balance, dynamics, blending, listening, sight-singing and musicianship through ensemble teamwork.

 

Music Skills

To impart knowledge on the fundaments of music theory.  These classes are streamed by ability to ensure appropriate learning contexts for all levels of competence.

 

Repertoire

To instigate the exploration and delivery of song styles and genres of Musical Theatre. Students will develop a 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.

 

Acting Through Song

To establish the integration of Text, Acting, Music and Singing skills through the analysation of a variety of historical and cultural Musical Theatre song styles and genres to nurture breadth of employable knowledge.

 

Musical Staging

To instigate the integration of Acting, Text, Music and Movement.  This class sits alongside the Musical Theatre Text project delivered through the module: MUT1024 Rehearsal and Research.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

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, singing technique, theoretical knowledge, critical and analytical skills of personal practice, application, and awareness conducive to professional practice.

 

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, 4, 6

 

Performance Assessment – Technical Singing and Presentation Exam.  Practical Based Assessment - Teaching Block 3

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


• Comprehension of Acting and Musicianship through presentation of solo song

This assessment addresses Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

 

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

• Broaden the understanding of the vocal mechanism, support system, breath management, and vocal control
• Develop a secure healthy and robust singing technique to enable sustainable delivery of eight shows per week
• Develop the appreciation and application of musicianship across a variety of musical genres
• Develop 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
• Introduce integrated technical singing with movement, acting and story-telling

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Provide students with fundamental knowledge to support further 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 vocal confidence through instruction and the application of information


• Promote integration of Singing, Acting and Dance skills


• Develop stamina and sustainable working practices

 

The learning and teaching methods will include:

• Practical Singing classes


• Practical Small Group and Individual Singing tutorials


• Seminar and tutorial classes in Vocal Anatomy, Musical Skills and Repertoire


• Practical Musical Staging Classes


• 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: MUT1022

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, Musical Staging and Vocal Anatomy classes require students to engage with digital technologies to develop their digital literacy and to source historical archival Musical Theatre audio and visual reference material and to locate written vocal materials bespoke to the learner for use in class and personal study.   Students will use easily accessible software to create digital and promotional content, and they will use a range of social media platforms 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, Ensemble Singing and Repertoire classes.  Expert staff with practitioner backgrounds deliver authentic and practical modes of working in the studio mirroring professional practice.   Students develop transferable skills including independent and collaborative working, creative, critical and reflective thinking, and problem solving. 

 

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, 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 2025/6 academic year.