Course Day and Time:  Thursday 8:05-10:00 PM

                                        Room SB01

Credits:  2

Office Hours: 12:00-1:00 Monday, 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-8:00 Tuesday, 7:00-8:00 Thursday, and by appointment: Please my schedule, which is posted on the door of my office. If you need to schedule an appointment, please call our administrative assistant, Autumn Nova, (212) 625-0500 ext. 6188.

Phone: (212) 927-1015 Home

              (917) 825 8697 cell

              (212) 625-0500 ext. 6187 Office

E-Mail dana.talley@nyack.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This class will give a basic understanding of singer's Italian, English, French, and German pronunciation, so that one may sing in those languages without necessarily having further knowledge of them.  Also it will establish the critical importance of knowing English translation when singing in a foreign language as a basic tool of interpretation and communication.

OBJECTIVES:

Language Diction has as a four-fold purpose:

1. To cause students studying singing to become thoroughly familiar with the International Phonetic Alphabet, the standard tool for singers in dealing with matters of proper pronunciation.
2. To lay a foundation for on-going growth and ever-increasing ease in using the four 'standard' singing languages of the Western classical tradition: English, Italian, French and German.

3.     Basic knowledge of general pronunciation rules for each language,   as well as attempting to capture the flavor and color of each language when singing.

4.     Standard approaches to diction problems, such as connecting words, using consonants while preserving legato, etc.

Information Literacy Requirement:  You will be required to access the following website for further information to aid you in your study of singing:  

1. The student will visit the class website: http://www.songsofpeace.com/ncmcmusic/voice/mus234.htm

and submit a one page evaluation of the contents making suggestions for additions. This will be done at the beginning and at the end of the semester.

2. The student will develop a Webliography to aid in concert attendance and the study of singing and submit at least 25 links by December 1, 2005 via e-mail.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Moriarty, John. Diction. E. C. Schirmer Music Company, 1975.

ISBN: 0911318097

OTHER Optional  MATERIALS:

Adams, David.  A Handbook of Diction for Singers, New York, Oxford University Press, 1992. ISBN: 0-19-512077-9

ANTHOLOGY OF ITALIAN SONG OF THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES, by G. Schirmer.  (In Medium Low or Medium High keys)

One acceptable pocket dictionary for: French, German, & Italian/English.

CDSheetMusic of Operatic Arias  or Art Songs in your Fach [Soprano, Mezzo-soprano/Alto, Tenor, or Baritone/Bass]

Marshall, M. The Singer's Manual of English Diction. New York: Schirmer Books.

Faure. 30 Songs, ed. S. Kagen. New York: International.

Schubert. 100 Songs, ed. S. Kagen. New York: International.

Colorni, Evelina. Singers' Italian. Schirmer Books, 1970.

Wall, Joan.  International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers, 1992.

OUTLINE OF CLASSES:

The semester will be divided into four units. Each one will cover applicable IPA and principles of its application to song texts, pronunciation rules for the language (English, Italian, French, or German, as the case may be) and consist of the study of the poetry of the song texts and translation of same.

For each language studied, every student will prepare at least one song within that language.  The songs used in this class will be either the songs on the CD given at the third class or an alternate selection chosen with Prof. Talley’s approval for each language. (You may ask your vocal teacher for suggestions.) Your final exam will consist of both a short IPA test on French, Italian and German and a class concert where each student will sing songs in the three studied languages.  You may work on your assigned songs with your vocal teacher if they wish but this assignment is not a requirement for repertoire assignments of your vocal teacher.  Each student must prepare the performance song with correct IPA written outside of class the week before the final exam and these will be duplicated and used in class in the final exam.

Songs Selected: (A song of your choice or one in each language of the following)

ITALIAN:    “Se tu m’ami, se sospiri”  by Pergolesi

                  “Caro mio ben” by Giordani

GERMAN:  “An die musik” by Schubert

                  “Widmung” by Schumann

                  “Zueignung” by Strauss

                  “Verborgenheit” by Wolf

FRENCH:  “Apres un reve”  by Faure

                 “Chanson triste”

Extra Credit:

ENGLISH:  “Selected Hymns”

LATIN:   “Panis Angelicus”  by Franck or  “Ave Maria” by Schubert

Approximate Class Calendar:

September 4 Introduction and review syllabus, IPA, and diphthongs.

September 11 There will be a convocation of all students but  this class will take place!

September 11-27- October: 9 Italian,English and Latin

October: 16- November 6 German 

November 13 Mid-Term Begin French

November  20-  December 4   French

December 11 Final Exam and class project performances.

The instructor and students will endeavor to incorporate the Nyack College Core Values into the repertory that will be studied and their performances both on and off campus including a respectful attitude with fellow students, professors, and guests.

CORE VALUES: Nyack College seeks to exalt Jesus Christ and fulfill its mission by being:

Socially Relevant -- Preparing students to serve in ministerial, educational, healing and community-building professions. 

Academically Excellent -- Pursuing academic excellence in the spirit of grace and humility.

Globally Engaged -- Fostering a global perspective within a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Christian academic community.

Intentionally Diverse -- Providing educational access and support to motivated students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Personally Transforming -- Emphasizing the integration of faith, learning and spiritual transformation.

GRADING:

Class participation and attendance:  45%

Three Quizzes: 30%

Final: 25%

You will be required to rewrite, using the IPA symbols, eight songs; you will perform one song in each language in class.  For each song to be performed, you will provide for each student and the instructor a typewritten, triple-spaced copy of the text, along with an IPA transcription underneath each line. All songs must be approved by the instructor.

In addition to small quizzes for each language, there will be a midterm and a final.  Each student is expected to keep a journal and /or bring a tape recorder to class.  Access to a CD player will also be helpful.  Practice should include assigned vocal exercises, repertoire, and language and English diction study. 

Online Vocal Resources:

You will be required to access the following website for further information to aid you in your study of singing:  

http://www.songsofpeace.com/ncmcmusic/voice/mus234.htm

In addition to this syllabus, there will be resources for Vocal Literature, reference material, repertoire, and many links will be posted.  Music majors will also be required to follow the guidelines of, A GENERAL SYLLABUS FOR MUSIC B.A. STUDENTS, revised January 2003. http://www.songsofpeace.com/ncmcmusic/voice/BA_syllabus.htm

Also please refer to the new student handbook: Fall, 2005.

Also: To print out the IPA you’ll need additional fonts.

donwload IPA SILManuscript font from www.sil.org

go to www.sil.org/computing/fonts/encore-ipa.html [open a new window to do it]

click on the 'download' link

read the document that comes up VERY carefully and follow its instructions. The fonts you want are the 'SIL Encore IPA93 Fonts. [the '93' is important]

ATTENDANCE, PUNCTUALITY:

Your grade will be reduced after one un-excused absence.  Students are to arrive on time.  If you are 15 minutes late, it will be considered half an absence.  Students are expected to attend every class.

In the unusual event that an absence is unavoidable, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain the relevant notes, materials, videos, or recordings. Missed exams or tests can be made up at the Instructor’s discretion. Excessive absence (greater than 25% of class meetings) may result in a failing or significantly lowered grade.

STUDENT HANDBOOK REQUIREMENT:

In addition to the information in the college catalog, all students are responsible for the requirements, regulations, and information in the NCMC Music Handbook.  Please put the following link in your browser:
 http://www.ncmcmusic/Handbook

Learning Disabilities:

Any student who has a learning disability is encouraged to speak privately with the professor or with Professor Adelaide Pabon the 504 coordinator for Nyack College/New York City.  Any student eligible for and requesting academic accommodations due to a disability is required to provide a letter of accommodation from Academic Support Services within the first two weeks of the beginning of the class.