Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Use their voice as an instrument to produce natural vocal sounds.
• Demonstrate correct vocal production techniques.
• Sing in an ensemble using two- and three-part harmony
• Prepare and present a portfolio of set list/repertoire, artist statement, and strategy for marketing oneself as a vocal artist.
• Prepare and present to an audience 2-4 solo songs in contrasting musical styles.

• Explain artistic and aesthetic choices with regard to cultural and historical assumptions, associations, traditions, and conventions and to one's own voice, style and/or identity.

• Demonstrate understanding of performance etiquette and appropriate stage presence.

Content for the course will be presented in a lecture format along side in class lab work:

• Vocal warm-up exercises

• Weekly documentation of development and understanding of technical progress and artistic progress

• Weekly discussion and analyzation of technical and artist development challenges

• Group singing using two- and three-part harmony songs

• Collaboration with other vocalists, instrumentalists, and accompanists.

• Performance of contrasting solo songs and group song

• Practice using live sound equipment

• Discussion of performances: what worked, what needs improvement, how did it feel?

• Class participation    

• Assignments/Journals    

• Song performances (solo and group)

• Portfolio presentation

• Vocal production techniques (natural breath support, correct phonation, relaxation, and concentration)
• Warm-up exercises to maintain strength and improve confidence
• Maintenance of a healthy voice
• Musicianship: rhythm, intonation, ear-training, phrasing
• Artist realization/personal style in development of portfolio
• Utilization of sound equipment in performance
• Stage presence and performance techniques
• Marketing oneself as a vocal artist