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Unit of study_

VSAO5602: Opera Performance Voice 2

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Sydney

The aim of this series of units is to continue to develop singers' technical and performance ability in line with developing individual artistic sensibility. Singers will become increasingly aware of the inter-relationship of diction and poetic/dramatic aspects of repertoire with musical, performance and cultural context. Growing self-sufficiency in practice, repertoire learning and role choice, is expected. Emphasis in repertoire is given to character and role building, including stage movement, gesture, and the communication of narrative, emotion and meaning.

Unit details and rules

Unit code VSAO5602
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
VSAO5601
Corequisites
? 
VSA05612
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Anke Ryan, anke.ryan@sydney.edu.au
Narelle Yeo, narelle.yeo@sydney.edu.au
Simon Lobelson, simon.lobelson@sydney.edu.au
Andrew Dalton, andrew.dalton@sydney.edu.au
Robyn Wells, robyn.wells@sydney.edu.au
Rowena Cowley, rowena.cowley@sydney.edu.au
Barry Ryan, barry.ryan@sydney.edu.au
Maree Ryan, maree.ryan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration Role or minor role/chorus
Role or minor role/chorus with recital and program notes
80% Multiple weeks Performances as scheduled
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Creative assessment / demonstration Performance seminar
Two performance per semester
0% Multiple weeks Performance as scheduled
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Creative assessment / demonstration Opera performance class
Performance preparation, vocal and dramatic communication
20% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Major role in an opera production or minor roles or chorus and 20 min recital. Recitals should include at least two contrasting operatic arias and accompanying program notes of approximately 500 words, submitted through Turnitin on Friday of Week 13, by 11.59pm. 
  • Teacher assessment/Opera performance class: In voice lessons, students are assessed on technical, musical, textual, stylistic and interpretive progress, as well as effective practice and performance preparation. In opera performance class, students are assessed 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/dramatic styles. 
  • Performance seminar: Students are assessed on two performances, each of one aria (from 4-10 minutes in length) per semester, and given written feedback by the staff panel. Attendance at all performance seminars and masterclasses is mandatory. Assessment is pass/fail. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 seminar and masterclasses Performance (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Weekly Voice lessons One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Opera performance class Performance (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned. The Dean, Head of School or professor most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

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 a growing functional understanding of all aspects of vocal technique including posture, relaxation, alignment of the body, effective connection of the breath, coordinated phonation
  • LO2. demonstrate even production of vowels, effective consonants, consistency of vocal tone throughout the range, phrasing, dynamics, legato and agility, tonal variety
  • LO3. demonstrate awareness of vocal health issues and current vocal health literature
  • LO4. show evidence of the development of effective and consistent practice techniques
  • LO5. choose/critically analyse technical and interpretive issues in selected operatic repertoire
  • LO6. research cultural and historical context of repertoire studied
  • LO7. listen/observe/critique your own and others’ performance positively
  • LO8. create a vivid, imaginative performance which integrates technical, musical, textual, stylistic and interpretive ability at a level towards that expected of professional performers
  • LO9. generate creative problem-solving strategies for stage work
  • LO10. develop an individual artistic voice in repertoire from varying languages and musical/dramatic styles.

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.