Minor in Teaching Contemporary Voice
The Teaching Contemporary Voice minor prepares students to how to safely and
effectively teach singing using a variety of pedagogical approaches. By learning to
approach singing from a teacher’s perspective, students strengthen their own
performance practice and develop the capacity to teach with thoughtfulness, flexibility,
and purpose. The curriculum covers topics such as vocal function, acoustics, and
inclusive communication strategies that honor each student’s goals. Graduates of the
program gain hands-on experience designing and delivering effective voice instruction
across a wide range of styles and learning contexts.
In the minor, we use the research-based Teaching for Understanding Framework as a
tool for designing, carrying out and reflecting on instruction. Guiding questions,
understanding goals and execution/performance goals help connect the purpose of
activities more deeply than traditional objectives and outcomes.
This minor is open to voice principals/majors and to non-voice principals enrolled in either the Music Education or Music Therapy Major. Non-voice principals must receive permission from the course instructor to take PSVC-110 Elements of Vocal Technique, a required course in the minor.
A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. Students must complete the following coursework before beginning the minor and follow the regular declaration of minor procedure as outlined in the Registration Guide. This minor is managed by the Voice Department.
Upon completion of this program, students will:
- identify the structures of the larynx and vocal tract;
- describe the contribution of the structures of singing to vocal function;
- demonstrate teaching skills in small group and private settings;
- apply their knowledge of vocal function to the vocal goals of students;
- interpret common vocal terms through a fact-based scientific approach;
- operate and interpret voice analysis software and tools, including use of a spectrogram;
- assign appropriate exercises and repertoire;
- describe key characteristics and benefits of a variety of leading contemporary vocal pedagogies; and
- give examples of exercises contained within the various pedagogies examined.
Required Courses (8 credits):
- PSVC-110: Elements of Vocal Technique (2 credits)
- PSVC-321: Vocal Pedagogy (2 credits)
- PSVC-422: Vocal Pedagogy 2 (2 credits)
- PSVC-450: Survey of Contemporary Voice Pedagogies (2 credits)
Electives (choose any combination of courses for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 credits):
- ILVC-119: Alexander Technique for the Contemporary Singer: Developing Awareness and Ease (1 credit)
- ILVC-260: Piano Accompanying Techniques for Vocalists (1 credit)
- ISKB-111: Keyboard Fundamentals (1 credit)
- ISKB-221: Keyboard Class 1 for Music Education Majors (1 credit)
- ISKB-231: Keyboard Concepts for Music Therapists (1 credit)
- PM-330: The Private Studio Teacher (2 credits)
- PSH-238: Awareness Training for Musicians (1 credit)
- PSH-240: Body Mapping for Musicians 1 (1 credit)
- PSVC-131: American Diction for Singers (2 credits)
- MTH-211: Mind-Body Disciplines for Musicians (2 credit)
- LPHL-475: Philosophy of Education (3 credits)
- ME-328: Music, the Brain, and Learning (2 credits)
- ME-341: Teaching With a Multicultural Perspective (2 credits)
- PSH 200: Vocal Technique and Wellness (1 credit)
- ISVC-105: Functional Voice for Music Therapy (1 credit)