Students

MMCC2057 – Vocal Studies: The Voice

2025 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Co-convenor/Lecturer
Diane Hughes
diane.hughes@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
10HA, HUB 191 (Downstairs), Room D
Appointment via email
Co-convenor/Lecturer
Andrew Robson
andrew.robson@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
10HA, HUB 191 (Downstairs), Room J
Appointment via email
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.
  • ULO3: identify and analyse appropriate vocal technique in and for singing, including vocal health and vocal care strategies.
  • ULO4: communicate through singing in collaborative and solo contexts.
  • ULO5: articulate the functions of the singing voice.
  • ULO6: demonstrate academic writing and appropriate referencing.

General Assessment Information

Assessment

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.

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

Written and Performed Submissions

No songs or musical works that have been performed or analysed for assessments in other units may be used for assessment tasks in this unit.

Written components for assessment tasks must be submitted through Turnitin by the due date shown. 

Assessment tasks

  • Due to copyright, no practical assessments may be recorded or posted to social media or any online platform.
  • Performances are to be from memory. That is, no reading of scripts (e.g., spoken introductions), lyrics or music.

Referencing Style

For all written work, students are required to use the APA 7th referencing style for all in-text referencing, reference lists and spoken introductions. This also includes references for recorded material as appropriate.

Please use the Library databases for your own research purposes and do not use Wikipedia as a reference.

Return of marked work

Work will be marked and returned with feedback in order for students to incorporate feedback in subsequent assessments.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Vocal Practice 15% No 28/03/2025
Voices in Action 40% No All groups in the lecture time at 1pm on 6/5/25 (Week 9)
Spotlight on Voice 45% No Week 13; Schedule to be advised

Vocal Practice

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 28/03/2025
Weighting: 15%

 

Students are required to submit a vocal practice plan clearly demonstrating the components of a vocal practice session that includes a justification and order for each of the unit’s set exercises. This plan should include at least 2 academic references. The plan will be referenced using APA referencing style. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • prepare, document and reflect on vocal development and practice.
  • identify and analyse appropriate vocal technique in and for singing, including vocal health and vocal care strategies.
  • articulate the functions of the singing voice.
  • demonstrate academic writing and appropriate referencing.

Voices in Action

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 34 hours
Due: All groups in the lecture time at 1pm on 6/5/25 (Week 9)
Weighting: 40%

 

Students contribute to a creative group process and perform a vocal ensemble song to demonstrate their learning. An individual spoken introduction is a significant part of the ensemble performance. 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.
  • communicate through singing in collaborative and solo contexts.
  • articulate the functions of the singing voice.

Spotlight on Voice

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13; Schedule to be advised
Weighting: 45%

 

For this assessment task, students are required to research, prepare and effectively communicate using their voice. Students will either perform a song with a viva voce  OR  they will analyse a song performance in a formal presentation with a viva voce.The viva voce will include the project's relevance to the unit's content and readings. The emphasis of this assessment is on the implementation and discussion of appropriate vocal technique for singing. Students will 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.
  • identify and analyse appropriate vocal technique in and for singing, including vocal health and vocal care strategies.
  • communicate through singing in collaborative and solo contexts.
  • articulate the functions of the singing voice.
  • 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

Teaching

1. Lectures run Weeks 1-11

2. Tutorials run Weeks 2-11

See the MQ TImetables website for location information.

Readings 

  • Required readings are available through Leganto. 
  • Recommended readings will be listed on iLearn.

Individual Learning

  • Due to the practical and interactive components of this unit, students are responsible for attending weekly lectures and tutorials, reading the essential readings prior to attending weekly lectures, conducting individual research and progressively working on assessment tasks throughout the semester. Students therefore need to devise a progressive schedule that enables regular practice, research and consolidation of creative ideas as appropriate. 

Feedback

  • Formal and informal feedback will be delivered throughout the session.

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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 2025.04 of the Handbook