Overview
This paper equips singers with scientific knowledge on the voice and demonstrates how to teach safely and effectively. The paper encompasses vocal anatomy and physiology, practical techniques and critical listening.
At some stage in their career, a singer will inevitably teach in some capacity. This paper equips singers with scientific knowledge on the voice and demonstrates how to teach contemporary singing safely and effectively. The paper encompasses vocal anatomy and physiology, practical techniques and critical listening. Students will have the opportunity to sing in various contemporary styles, learn to formulate lesson plans and vocal exercises, and apply various vocal techniques and concepts within a lesson setting. Differences with classical singing will be covered and students will learn special techniques, such as ‘belting’ in a safe and correct manner.
About this paper
| Paper title | Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy: How to Teach Contemporary Voice |
|---|---|
| Subject | Music |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2025 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,243.65 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 100-level MUSI or PERF points
- Restriction
- MUSI 349
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Contact
- More information link
- Teaching staff
Teaching Staff: Arlie McCormick
Paper Coordinator: Dr Tessa Romano
- Paper Structure
Please contact the School of Performing Arts (spa@otago.ac.nz) office for a copy of the paper profile.
- Teaching Arrangements
Weeks 1-4: Three 2-hour lectures and three 2-hour workshops per week.
Weeks 5-6: Tutorials focussed on assessment at times to be arranged
- Textbooks
This course may reference 'Body Mind and Voice' by Thurman and Welsh and/or 'The Voice: An Inside View' by Scott McCoy.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students will gain a greater understanding of Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy and how to teach singing safely and effectively with up-to-date information that is both factual and practice-based. The paper will enhance a student’s ability to:
- Communicate information to a student and how to teach singing safely;
- Formulate a lesson plan;
- Understand the technical aspects of voice registration, vocal qualities, vocal effects etc;
- Use critical listening skills;
- Use various exercises, language that a student understands and the application of various vocal techniques and concepts within a lesson setting;
- Understand that teaching contemporary voice is different to teaching classical voice;
- Teach a student how to ‘belt’ safely and correctly.