Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 3150
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New MediaDepartment: Music
Title: Choral Pedagogy and Methods
Semester Approved: Fall 2020
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2025
End Semester: Spring 2026
Catalog Description: This course is designed to teach those pursuing a bachelors degree in vocal performance how to sing and how to teach others to sing using correct principles and techniques. It is open to all who have been admitted to the Bachelors of Music Program, but is required for students on the music education advisement track, and for whom voice is their primary instrument.
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: Admission to B. of Music program or permission of instructor.
Justification: Many graduates of music programs in performance find that they must earn at least a portion of their living by teaching students, either in the private studio or at charter or public schools. This course prepares all vocal music performance majors to teach students how to sing, using correct techniques and principles. In this way it is similar to courses taught in brass, string, woodwind and percussion pedagogy that prepare students to teach others to play. Courses of this type are commonly taught at other Utah colleges offering degrees in music education and vocal performance.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate the ability to plan and implement efficient and effective rehearsal procedures; Students will be assessed through discussion, directed reading, course journal, projects as assigned.
Demonstrate knowledge of effective warm-up and sight-reading strategies that impact individual student performance development; Students will be assessed through discussion, directed reading, course journal, projects as assigned.
Demonstrate the ability to select and prepare appropriate repertoire for concert performances; Students will be assessed through discussion, directed reading, course journal, projects as assigned.
Demonstrate an understanding of the logistics involved in presenting performances; Students will be assessed through discussion, directed reading, course journal, projects as assigned.
Demonstrate an understanding of the administrative tasks involved in teaching music; Students will be assessed through discussion, directed reading, course journal, projects as assigned.
Demonstrate an understanding of effective ways to prepare students for contests and festivals; Students will be assessed through discussion, directed reading, course journal, projects as assigned.
Understand the job search and application process; In class discussions, directed reading, course journal, projects as assigned.
Demonstrate exemplary pre-professional behaviors. In class discussions, directed reading, course journal, projects as assigned.
Content:
• Building vocal tone
• Rehearsal planning and techniques
• Developing conducting skill
• Choral music performance
• Analysis of a piece of vocal music for study
• Style in choral singing
• Administration of the Choral Music Program
• Comprehensive choral music education
• The Choral Music profession
Key Performance Indicators:
Students in this course will be assessed using the following methods:
In-class discussions based on assigned readings 30 to 40%
Observation journal 20 to 30%
Programming project 20 to 30%
Final exam 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Boonshaft, Peter Loel, Teaching Music with Passion, Meredith Music Publications (Hal Leonard), Current edition.
Gumm, Alan, ed., The Choral Directors Cookbook, Meredith Music Publications (Hal Leonard), Current edition.
Hylton, John B., Comprehensive Choral Music Education, Prentice-Hall, Current edition.
Pedagogy Statement:
This course is delivered via assigned readings, in-class discussions, and in-school observations and journaling.
In this course we will foster an environment of inclusion, diversity, openness, and respect for the many differences by acknowledging any differences we see, and exploring strategies for fostering an inclusive environment in future classroom, instructional, and life situations.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 25
Optimum Class Size: 15