Students

MMCC3043 – Vocal Studies: The Singer

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor/Lecturer
Diane Hughes
diane.hughes@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
10HA, HUB 191 (Downstairs), Room D
Appointment via email
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
130cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit enables students to explore industry practices including vocal recording and performance. With the aim of exploring individuality in singing, the unit explores a variety of creative vocal practices. Vocal processing and technological applications on the singing voice are also explored. The unit provides students with experiences of singing in recording, in musically arranging and in structuring/analysing vocal performances. Students will be allocated a recording/mixing session. Throughout the unit, students progressively engage in critical thinking and listening related to the singer and to music more broadly.

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: communicate musically and creatively.
  • ULO2: situate individual vocal artistry in an academic context.
  • ULO3: apply and critically analyse the use of technology to the singing voice.
  • ULO4: demonstrate creative vocal practices.
  • ULO5: collaborate as appropriate with professionals.
  • ULO6: maintain vocal health and vocal care strategies.

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
Studio Recording 20% No Mid-Session Break
Recording Processes 30% No 09/05/2025
The Vocal Stage 50% No Week 13; Schedule to be advised

Studio Recording

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Mid-Session Break
Weighting: 20%

 

Students undertake a vocal recording session in a professional recording context. Students will produce a musical recording of their voice, directing a studio engineer. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • communicate musically and creatively.
  • apply and critically analyse the use of technology to the singing voice.
  • collaborate as appropriate with professionals.
  • maintain vocal health and vocal care strategies.

Recording Processes

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 09/05/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will submit a written reflection of the recording process and outcomes of their studio recording. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • situate individual vocal artistry in an academic context.
  • apply and critically analyse the use of technology to the singing voice.

The Vocal Stage

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Week 13; Schedule to be advised
Weighting: 50%

 

Students will present a creative vocal project. The presentation will consist of a rationale outlining a musical set (repertoire), a performance/presentation of a pivotal song in that set, and includes a viva voce. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • communicate musically and creatively.
  • situate individual vocal artistry in an academic context.
  • apply and critically analyse the use of technology to the singing voice.
  • demonstrate creative vocal practices.
  • collaborate as appropriate with professionals.
  • maintain vocal health and vocal care strategies.

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

Seminars run Weeks 1-11 and are 2 hours in length. There will be practical and theoretical components in all seminars.

See the MQ TImetables website for location information.

Please note: This is in-person delivery only and no recordings of seminars will be avilable.

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 seminars, reading the essential readings prior to attending weekly seminars, 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 2025.03 of the Handbook