Undergraduate Courses

VC115 English & Italian Diction (2)
Introduction to the rules of singing English and Italian through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) with oral and written drill.

VC116 French & German Diction (2)
Introduction to the rules of singing French and German through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) with oral and written drill. Pre-requisite: VC115

VC117 English Diction (2)
Introduction to the rules for singing English through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with oral and written drill. Open to Voice Performance majors only.

VC118 Italian Diction (2)
Introduction to the rules for singing Italian through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with oral and written drill. Open to Voice Performance majors only. Pre-requisite: VC117.

VC119 French Diction (2)
Introduction to the rules for singing French through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with oral and written drill. Open to Voice Performance majors only. Pre-requisite: VC117

VC120 German Diction (2)
Introduction to the rules for singing German through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), with oral and written drill. Open to Voice Performance majors only. Pre-requisite: VC117.

VC307 Voice Major Performance Class (3)
Master classes and private coaching in vocal performance. Open to Voice Performance majors only. Prerequisites: Voice Level II and departmental approval.

VC408 Voice Science (3)
A practical course designed to furnish information on a wide range of topics related to vocal pedagogy. Study includes voice production, quality, classification, registration, range, anatomy and physiology.

VC409 Teaching Voice (3)
This course presents a comparative study of various pedagogical methods and ideals. Students explore exercises, vocalises, and ageappropriate repertoire to address and correct voice anatomy, physiology, and acoustics. Class participants engage in role-playing exercises to develop appropriate listening and teaching skills.

VC433 Song Literature I (2)
A survey of solo literature for voice and accompanying instrument including solo vocal music of the Baroque period and German lieder.

VC434 Song Literature II (2)
A survey of solo literature for voice and accompanying instrument including French mélodie, songs by nationalist composers, English and American song.

VC457/458 Private Coaching (1 or 2 credits)
Individual coaching sessions for singers on musical style, interpretation, ensemble, languages, and presentation. Registration for VC457 involves weekly hour-length lessons and a fee of $1,000. Registration for VC458 involves weekly half-hour lessons and a fee of $500. Prerequisite: successful completion of Level II. May be repeated for credit.

VC467/468 Private Dramatic/Role Coaching (1 or 2 credits)
Individual dramatic coaching sessions for singers on operatic role study and/or audition preparation. Students will provide their own accompanists as needed. Registration for VC467 involves weekly hour-length lessons and a fee of $1,000. Registration for VC468 involves weekly half-hour lessons and a fee of $500. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: successful completion of Level II.

VC491 The Singing Actor: Opera (3)
This introduction to opera performance entails coaching of selected arias and techniques for preparation of an operatic role through intensive research. A final written project involves a musical and dramatic analysis of an operatic aria. It is suggested that AR216 and/or AR217 be taken prior to or concurrently with this course. Approval of a student’s applied voice instructor is required.

Graduate Courses

VC521 Oratorio Solo Literature (3)
A performance course surveying solo and ensemble portions of oratorios, masses, passions, and cantatas from the early Baroque period to the present, with emphasis on appropriate performance techniques for stylistic integrity.

VC522 Seminar in Song Literature (3)
An intensive study of some area of art song history and literature. The specific content of this course will change from semester to semester. Emphasis is placed upon in-depth study of the selected repertoire. Prerequisite: VC433 or VC633.

VC527 Opera Literature (3)
Study of the development of opera from 1600 to the present, with emphasis on performance practices, singing styles, libretti, the role of the orchestra, and the historical, political and sociological milieu in which the operas were written.

VC533 Seminar in Opera Literature (3)
An intensive study of an area of opera literature. The specific content of this course will change from semester to semester. Emphasis is placed upon in-depth study of the works of a selected composer or of a specific genre of opera.

VC592 Opera Workshop (2)
This performance-oriented class will explore many facets of opera production. Areas of instruction include performance techniques, stage direction and management, properties, costuming, lighting, and set design. It concludes with a performance of several scenes or one-act operas. It is recommended that VC491 or 691 be taken before this course.

VC593 Opera Theater (2)
This course involves preparation and performance of a role or in the chorus of a fully staged opera production. Open only by audition.

VC604 Voice Repertoire (1)
Intensive performance coaching in the form of master classes and private coaching. Open only to graduate Voice Pedagogy and Performance majors with performance emphasis.

VC622 Literature for Teaching (3)
A survey of graduated teaching literature for beginning, intermediate and advanced voice students. Literature will be explored that is particularly well-suited to specific vocal issues (e.g. legato, coloratura, staccato, etc.)

VC623 Voice Pedagogy I: Voice Science (3)
Study of voice anatomy and physiology with concentration on breathing, registration and resonance. Through hands-on experience in the Westminster Voice Laboratory, students explore the physics of sound, the fundamentals of musical acoustics, and acoustical elements that are unique to the human singing voice.

VC624 Voice Pedagogy II: Methods (3)
A comparative study of various pedagogical methods and ideals. A wide range of important historical and contemporary pedagogy treatises is reviewed. Students explore exercises and vocalises for general voice development as well as techniques to address and correct specific vocal problems. Role-playing exercises are used to develop appropriate listening and teaching skills. Class participants begin supervised instruction of a volunteer singing student. Prerequisite: VC623.

VC625 Voice Pedagogy III: Teaching Practicum (3)
Communication skills are explored and students develop a systematic approach to studio voice instruction. Each student is assigned at least two voice students (one adult and one teenager) to be taught both inside and outside of class. Emphasis is placed on becoming familiar with all voice classifications and basic vocal literature. Prerequisite: VC623.

VC633 Song Literature I (3)
Same as VC433, with additional meetings and requirements for graduate students.

VC634 Song Literature II (3)
Same as VC434, with additional meetings and requirements for graduate students.

VC653 Special Topics in Vocal Performance Practice (3)
Intensive performance coaching and lectures in the form of master classes where performance practice in selected topics will be taught by current faculty or distinguished alumni and specialists in their fields. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

VC689 Pedagogy Project (2)
Under faculty supervision, students design and execute a significant research project exploring an aspect of voice that can be measured and evaluated through the analysis instruments in the Westminster Voice Laboratory. Students with special interests in speech pathology or voice therapy may elect to visit the clinics of medical voice specialists in the area who have an association with Westminster.

VC691 The Singing Actor: Opera (3)
Same as VC491, with additional requirements for graduate students.

VC692 Teaching Internship (2)
Teaching internship with a master teacher(s). The student will teach under faculty observation and supervision, including follow-up private discussion with the observer. In addition, students themselves observe group and private lessons and are given readings, written assignments, and/or projects associated with their own teaching. May be offered on an intensive basis in conjunction with Westminster Summer Session events, such as The High School Solo Vocal Artist and/or Vocal Institute.

VC694 Opera Auditions: Preparation and Techniques (2)
This class will explore the many facets of preparing an audition for an opera role, apprentice program, or competition. At least three to four arias in contrasting styles and languages should be prepared for work in class. Areas to be addressed include vocal and dramatic presentation, networking, resume building, make-up, and photo advice. In coordination with the Career Services Office, panel discussions with invited guests that will explore specific career-related topics will be scheduled.