Students will demonstrate comprehension of the basics of vocal technique reading material. Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading (PSLO 1)   

Students will acquire a basic understanding of vocal health and hygiene applicable to many different styles of singing. (PSLO 2)   

Students will acquire communicative and expressive skills applicable to their own voices. (PSLO 2,4,5)   

Students will develop a professional, disciplined approach to vocal performance skills (PSLO 2,4,5)   

Students will acquire basic harmony singing applicable to commercial background singing. (PSLO 1, 2, 4,5)

Lecture topics are presented in 4 modules throughout the course. Module topics are as follows:  

Module 1: Vocal Anatomy and Health, Warming Up  

Module 2: Practicing 101, Vocalises  

Module 3: Categorizing Voices, Repertoire  

Module 4: Repertoire in Performance 

Students are expected to complete homework, such as practice logs, repertoire reports, and short essays, on a weekly basis. 

Hearings (oral exams) will take place on the dates below.  

Hearing 1: Thursday, September 18th (Week 4) 

Hearing 2: Thursday, October 16th (Week 8) 

Hearing 3: Thursday, November 20th (Week 13) 

Final Hearing: Tuesday, December 2nd (Week 15) 

The contents of this syllabus (schedule, major assignments, instructor policies, etc.) are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. 

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is never tolerated in this or any course. Students are always expected to submit original work and cite all outside sources. The instructor may use Blackboard tools such as SafeAssign and Respondus to ensure student work is authentic and original. Failure to maintain academic integrity may result in a zero grade or course failure. 

Artificial Intelligence: The use of Artificial Intelligence tools (ex. ChatGPT, Gemini, Grammarly, etc.) for exams, essays, homework, quizzes, or listening journals is strictly prohibited unless explicitly stated by the instructor. Unauthorized use will be treated as academic dishonesty and may result in a zero for the assignment or failure of the course. If AI use is suspected, the instructor will assign a temporary zero and contact the student via email, Blackboard, or in person to schedule a meeting. During this meeting, the coursework will be reviewed and appropriate action determined. 

Absences and Late Arrivals: All classes begin promptly at the start time. Students are expected to be seated and prepared at the beginning of every class. If a student arrives to class more than five minutes late, they will receive HALF attendance credit. If a student departs from class more than five minutes early, they will receive HALF attendance credit. If a student misses more than half of a class period due to a late arrival or early departure, they will receive ONE FULL ABSENCE. Two late arrivals or early departures will count as ONE FULL ABSENCE. If a student accumulates more than 3 absences in this course, they will receive a failing grade for the course. If a student knows that they will be late or absent from class, they must contact the instructor via email at lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu. Exceptions for extreme circumstances (illness, injury, death, etc.) will be granted on a situational basis.   

Technology and Electronics: Students are not permitted to use electronic devices (such as phones, laptops, Chromebooks, etc.) during in-person class meetings unless otherwise specified by the instructor. If the instructor observes any student using electronic devices during class time, they will ask them to put away their electronic devices. If the student continues to use their electronic devices, they will be asked to leave class for the day, and they will not receive attendance credit for that day.   

Grades and Late Work: All grades will be posted in Blackboard. Students must meet with the instructor to discuss grades and grading policies. All work must be submitted on time. Late work will be subject to a 5% grade reduction after one day and a 10% grade reduction for every day after. (For example, if an assignment with a grade of 100% is submitted one day late, the grade would be reduced to a 95%. If the same assignment is submitted two days late, the grade would be reduced to an 85%. After three days, the grade would be a 75%.) The instructor will not accept any work turned in more than one week (7 days) late. Any work submitted more than one week (7 days) late will receive a zero. Submission extensions may be granted in extreme circumstances and must be discussed with the instructor. 

The instructor takes attendance promptly at the beginning of every lesson. Students should always plan to arrive to class on time. Late arrivals and early departures from class are disruptive to the instructor and to classmates. 

Students are expected to attend and participate in all lessons for this course. If a student is late or absent from class, they must inform the instructor via email (lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu).  

Attendance counts for 10% of a student’s overall grade in this course. Failure to attend class may result in a student failing this course. If a student accumulates over 3 unexcused absences in this course, they will automatically fail the course. Any student with perfect attendance (no unexcused absences) will receive an automatic 5-point bonus added to their final hearing grade.  

An absence is only considered excused if it is unavoidable (illness with a doctor’s note, bereavement, injury or accident en route to class).   

A planned appointment will not be excused by the instructor. Do not schedule appointments or meetings during this class meeting time. 

Students are expected to arrive on time for all lessons. A student will lose half of their daily attendance credit for any late arrival or early departure exceeding 5 minutes. Two late arrivals or early departures are the equivalent of one absence. A student more than 20 minutes late to class will be counted as absent and unexcused.