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Unit outline_

VSAO1612: Voice 2

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Sydney

Students will continue to develop an approach to repertoire that supports their technical development, musical and textual expression. Lessons, vocal performance class and performance workshop provide opportunities for informal and formal performance and feedback. On completion of this unit, a short jury recital performance provides an opportunity to demonstrate developing musical, technical and language skills that will underpin their future vocal development.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
VSAO1611
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrew Goodwin, andrew.f.goodwin@sydney.edu.au
Narelle Yeo, narelle.yeo@sydney.edu.au
Barry Ryan, barry.ryan@sydney.edu.au
Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Anke Ryan, anke.ryan@sydney.edu.au
Maree Ryan, maree.ryan@sydney.edu.au
Robyn Wells, robyn.wells@sydney.edu.au
Simon Lobelson, simon.lobelson@sydney.edu.au
David Greco, david.greco@sydney.edu.au
Donna Balson, donna.balson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration Recital
Performance of recital program
50% Formal exam period 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Creative assessment / demonstration Performance workshop
Performance and attendance
0% Multiple weeks Performance as scheduled
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Creative assessment / demonstration Teacher assessment/vocal performance class
Performance, preparation, in-class discussion
50% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Formative Assessment
In-class establishment of technical, artistic goals and practice methods
0% Week 03 Weeks 1-3
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Formative assessment: Teachers and students work together in the first three weeks of semester to establish technical, artistic and practice expectations and goals for the semester as outlined in individual Learning Contracts. Assessment is pass/fail. 
  • Recital: Students will perform 20 minutes of repertoire in English, Italian and German, based on Voice and Opera repertoire guidelines, as scheduled during performance examination period. 
  • Teacher assessment/Vocal performance class: In voice lessons, students are assessed on technical, musical, textual, stylistic and interpretive progress, as well as effective practice and performance preparation, according to agreed learning goals. In vocal performance class, students are assessed on at least two performances per semester, and on their ability to engage an audience, critically reflect on their own and peers’ performance, problem solve and develop an individual artistic voice in varying languages and musical styles. Repertoire is chosen by teacher and student, with reference to Voice and Opera repertoire guidelines. 
  • Performance workshop: Students are assessed on two performances of approximately 6 minutes per semester, and given written feedback by the staff panel. Attendance at all performance seminars is mandatory. Assessment is pass/fail. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria are used for performance work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity in relation to developmental expectations. Musical individuality consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair indicative of soloist standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggesting soloist potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicative of unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense developing though some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or unsatisfactory level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Performance workshop Performance (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Weekly Voice lessons One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Vocal performance class Performance (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: As per the Sydney Conservatorium of Music resolutions, http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/ conservatorium/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml (Item 12): Full (100 per cent) and punctual attendance is a requirement in all activities where students have a role as active participants in the class or activity. Active participation includes situations where the student's contribution is to perform, rehearse or direct rehearsals in a small or large ensemble, or to give seminar and tutorial papers or presentations or undertake assessment tasks. Active participation also includes all one-to-one studio teaching and supervision. Except in cases of illness or misadventure, failure to attend activities or classes where a student is an active participant will be seen as failure to meet the requirements of the unit of study.
  • Due to COVID-19, this information is subject to change and in class attendance may be substituted for online activities. Please always refer to your timetable and information on Canvas.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate progressive understanding and application of healthy/efficient technique
  • LO2. integrate technical co-ordinations with language and diction in repertoire performance
  • LO3. prepare and perform individually recommended repertoire with individuality and imagination
  • LO4. demonstrate thorough lesson/performance warm-up, use of lesson recordings, note-taking, progressive musical/poetic preparation, progressive performance preparation
  • LO5. research musical and poetic structures, the contribution of pianistic and/or orchestral writing and musical style in a wide range of repertoire and styles
  • LO6. demonstrate the ability to communicate in character, descriptive and narrative songs and appropriate aria repertoire
  • LO7. refine verbal and non-verbal communication skills for engagement with audiences in varying performance situations
  • LO8. critically reflect on own and peers’ performances with courtesy to and collegiality for all
  • LO9. show engagement with Vocal Division procedures and communication through Canvas and the Vocal Division Handbook (see Canvas).

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.