Students

MMCC2057 – Vocal Studies: The Voice

2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer/Tutor
Andrew Alter
andrew.alter@mq.edu.au
Contact via 98508877
Rm 169 - 10 Hadenfeld
Any time by appointment. Please email.
Lecturer/Tutor
Belinda Lemon-McMahon
belinda.lemonmcmahon@mq.edu.au
By Appointment - email to contact
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to the voice as an instrument for effective, musical communication. Through studying elements of vocal anatomy and physiology, students learn technical and foundational aspects of the voice, voice function/production and appropriate technique for singing. Vocal health and vocal care strategies are also discussed. Students apply their learning to individual vocal programs, aspirations and abilities. The contemporary singing voice and its role in solo- and ensemble- specific situations within a range of music styles are explored. No prior knowledge of singing is required.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: evaluate and discuss critically voice knowledge/science in relation to the voice and vocal development.
  • ULO2: prepare, document and reflect on vocal development and practice.
  • ULO4: communicate through singing (individually and/or in a group).
  • ULO5: create, experience and/or evaluate the role of the singer.
  • ULO3: analyse and apply appropriate vocal technique in and for singing, including vocal health and vocal care strategies.
  • ULO6: demonstrate academic writing and appropriate referencing.

General Assessment Information

Written, Performed and/or Recorded Submissions

All assessment tasks have both written and performed (or presented) components. All written components for assessment tasks must be submitted through Turnitin by the due date/time shown. The performed (or presentated) component of Assessment Tasks 2 and 3  will then be undertaken in the subsequent tutorial session either live  (Face-to-Face tutorials)  or via recorded format (Online students).

Students will be required to provide an instrumental backing track in a suitable key for each performance assessment task. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that backing tracks do not breach copyright legislation, are obtained legally and are not pirated copies. No melody or vocals are to be on the backing track used for assessment purposes (i.e. they should be instrumental accompaniment only).

Referencing Style

For all written work, students are required to use the APA referencing system for all in-text referencing and reference lists. This includes references for recorded material as appropriate.

Recording of Assessed Performances

Due to copyright issues, no practical assessments (group or solo) may be recorded by students in either audio or video format.

Return of marked work

Formal and informal feedback will be issued throughout the session.

Late submission / Special Consideration

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved:

  1. a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and
  2. no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, online participation.

Assessment standards

  1. Rubrics are used for all assessments and will be available on iLearn.
  2. Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available in Schedule 1 at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Singing Exercises and Vocal Practice 10% No Written - Wk 4 15/3 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 5 Tutorials
Vocal Learning and Reflection 50% No Written - Wk 9 3/5 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 10 Tutorials
Vocal Performance OR Presentation 40% No Written - Wk 12 24/5 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 13 TBC

Singing Exercises and Vocal Practice

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Written - Wk 4 15/3 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 5 Tutorials
Weighting: 10%

 

Students communicate by singing set exercises. Students are also required to submit a vocal practice outline clearly demonstrating the components of a vocal practice session. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate and discuss critically voice knowledge/science in relation to the voice and vocal development.
  • prepare, document and reflect on vocal development and practice.
  • communicate through singing (individually and/or in a group).
  • analyse and apply appropriate vocal technique in and for singing, including vocal health and vocal care strategies.
  • demonstrate academic writing and appropriate referencing.

Vocal Learning and Reflection

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 44 hours
Due: Written - Wk 9 3/5 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 10 Tutorials
Weighting: 50%

 

This assessment focuses on progressive vocal learning. In a written component, students individually reflect on their learning in relation to progressive unit content. Students also document, participate in a creative group process and perform a vocal ensemble song as part of their learning. For this assessment task, the ways that students contribute during the ensemble process is also monitored. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • prepare, document and reflect on vocal development and practice.
  • evaluate and discuss critically voice knowledge/science in relation to the voice and vocal development.
  • communicate through singing (individually and/or in a group).
  • create, experience and/or evaluate the role of the singer.
  • analyse and apply appropriate vocal technique in and for singing, including vocal health and vocal care strategies.
  • demonstrate academic writing and appropriate referencing.

Vocal Performance OR Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Written - Wk 12 24/5 by 23:59; Practical - Wk 13 TBC
Weighting: 40%

 

For this assessment task, students are required to research, prepare and effectively communicate using their voice. Students will either perform a song OR they will analyse a song performance in a formal presentation. The emphasis of this assessment is on the implementation of appropriate vocal technique for singing and embodied musicality. Students are required to submit a project outline that acknowledges their song, songwriter/s, all content and references. If presenting an analysis, students are required to also acknowledge the artist in the project outline. Students are required to perform or present from memory. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate and discuss critically voice knowledge/science in relation to the voice and vocal development.
  • prepare, document and reflect on vocal development and practice.
  • communicate through singing (individually and/or in a group).
  • create, experience and/or evaluate the role of the singer.
  • analyse and apply appropriate vocal technique in and for singing, including vocal health and vocal care strategies.
  • demonstrate academic writing and appropriate referencing.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Lecture Delivery

Lectures for this unit will mostly be offered in live zoom sessions in the time slot indicated. Occasionally lectures will be offered in recorded format available through the Echo System through iLearn. Consequently, students should find a suitable location where they can setup their computer to attend the zoom lectures at 9:00 am on Tuesdays each week. Lectures begin in Week 1.

Tutorial Delivery

There are three timetable slots available for tutorials in this unit. Students should select one of the following slots and attend classes weekly:

  1. 10 am Tuesday (F2F in room 187 "Drama Studio")
  2. 11 am Tuesday (F2F in Room 187 "Drama Studio")
  3. 12 noon Tuesdays (Online)

THERE ARE NO TUTORIAL SESSIONS IN WEEK 1 - TUTORIALS BEGIN IN WEEK 2

Tutorial activities will include a variety of tasks, instructions, practice and group performance work. Students will undertake the majority of their vocal practice at home including the practice of vocal exercises, and learning/practicing songs. However, recordings of vocal practice will be reviewed in tutorial time. Students will be updated as to appropriate tutorial procedures in accordance with NSW Health guidelines.

Students will be formed into groups to complete Assessment Task 2 (Vocal Learning and Reflection). Group members will all be part of one tutorial group. Group singing and group practice will NOT occur during tutorials. Sessions will be used to plan material, explain assignment task details, discuss lecture content and discuss readings. In addition, classes will be used to discuss strategies to put together ensemble performances in a safe environment. The interactive nature of the group work for the unit means that it is essential that students attend weekly lectures, tutorials and undertake the activities associated with each week's content.

Online tutorial students will also be formed into groups to complete Assessment Task 2. The performed component of this task will need to be completed as a compiled recording. Details will be discussed in online zoom tutorials.

iLearn Forums

Students are required to participate in iLearn Forums for all group discussions. Please do not use social media, e.g., do not use Facebook. Due to copyright issues, the posting of lyrics, sheet music and/or videos on iLearn is not permitted. If appropriate, please post only links to resources such as websites/YouTube.

Required Readings and Resources

Required readings are available through Leganto. An indicative allocation of 8 hours is an estimate of the time required to complete these readings.

Set singing exercises are available on iLearn.

Recommended Readings

Recommended readings will be progressively listed on iLearn.

Vocal Health and Care

Students should bring bottled room temperature water to all tutorials. Students are requested to advise their tutor of any vocal health issues.

Technologies used and required

A computer and Internet access are required. Music playback facility is also required.

Unit Schedule

Individual Learning and Group Work

Due to the practical, interactive and group components of this unit, students are encouraged to read the essential readings prior to engaging in the weekly lectures, to conduct individual research and to work on vocal development progressively throughout the semester. Students therefore need to devise a progressive schedule that enables research and regular practice.

Lecture Topics for the Semester will be as follows:

Week 1: The Singing Voice (Diane Hughes)

Week 2: The Vocal Mechanism (Diane Hughes)

Week 3: Vocal Technique for Singing (Diane Hughes)

Week 4: Vocal Health and Care (Diane Hughes)

Week 5: Vocal Learning (Belinda McMahon)

Week 6: Harmony and the Voice (Andrew Alter)

Mid-Semester Break

Week 7: Vocal Arranging (Andrew Alter)

Week 8: Group Performance Practices (Belinda Lemon-McMahon)

Week 9: Solo Performance Practices (Belinda Lemon-McMahon)

Week 10: Spoken Voice - Performers and Presenters (Belinda Lemon-McMahon)

Week 11: Content of Outlines and Structure of Powerpoint Presentation (Belinda Lemon-McMahon)

Week 12: Talking about the Singing Voice (Belinda Lemon-McMahon)

Week 13: No Lecture

Tutorial Schedule

Content of tutorials will vary from week to week but will be directed towards understanding readings, understanding assessment tasks and providing guidance towards vocal practice and performance outcomes.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Late submission / Special Consideration

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved:

  1. a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and
  2. no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, online participation.

Assessment standards

  1. Rubrics are used for all assessments and will be available on iLearn.
  2. Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available in Schedule 1 at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook