Syllabus: MUSI-2325.

001, ENS, Beginning Group Voice

Spring 2006, MW 12:30-1:45, JO 2.604
Hoyt Neal, (214) 334-5205, JO 1.206, Office hours: 1:45 – 2:15 MW, hoyt.neal@utdallas.edu

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Changes will be announced in class
and in writing.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS: This class is designed for the beginning singer. It
presents the classical principles of singing and reading music. Students will develop their singing skills
and learn to use their voice as an artistic instrument. Students must have basic vocal skills, such as the
ability to match pitch and produce sound easily and artistically. If you do not meet these requirements, I
will talk with you privately about other ways to pursue your vocal training. Students will sing in concerts
and the Spring Arts Festival, April 21 or 22, as a requirement of the course. Clear these dates
immediately.

The required textbook and enhanced CD is Teach Yourself To Sing, Karen F. Surmani, Alfred
Publishing Co., Inc. Alternate Texts are BudgetBooks, Movie Songs, Contemporary Hits, Pop/Rock,
Love Songs, and Broadway Songs. Students will select individual pieces from these books to prepare
for performances. Music not found in the textbooks may also be performed when approved by the
instructor.

Students will learn and perform at least four songs. Class time will consist of lecture, demonstration,
discussion, exercises, supervised practice and performance in groups and as individuals. Songs will be
performed from memory.

Approximately four to six hours per week will be needed for practice time outside of class. In order to
learn to sing, one must actually sing and practice singing.

A variety of resources will be made available for individual study, including recorded listening materials,
music dictionaries and theory software. Additional aid will be available through our staff accompanist,
Michael McVay, JO 1.206, mjmcvay66@msn.com.

GRADING POLICY: Grading is based on attendance (5% or more), class participation (15% or more),
quizzes/tests (10%), in-class performances and continuous individual progress (not perfection) (50%),
and Arts festival performance (20%). The grading scale is as follows: A = 100 - 90, B = 89 - 80, C = 79 -
70, D = 69 – 60, and F = 59 - 0. You may ask about your grades at any time during the semester.

Attendance is required because a large part of your work occurs during class. You are allowed three (3)
excused absences in the semester without any grade penalty. Each additional absence will result in a
reduction in your final grade by one full letter grade for each subsequent absence (i.e., an A will be
lowered to a B, and so forth). An excused absence means that you notify me within 24 hours of the
missed class, there is a medical reason for which you can submit a doctor’s note why you cannot come.
Sore throat? Can’t sing? Come anyway! You can learn by listening. Students will be expected to
arrive on time and stay until dismissed.

PERFORMANCE EXAMS: Each student will perform for the class several times during the semester. The
songs or exercises will be assigned or chosen upon mutual agreement between the student and the
instructor. Students will not be compared to each other, but will be graded according to their own ability
and the progress they make during the semester.

One performance exam will be at the Spring Student Arts Festival which will occur on Friday and
Saturday, April 21 or 22. The time we are scheduled to sing will be announced. Please clear these
dates immediately. Singing for the Arts Festival is an absolute requirement to pass this course. Your
fitness for perform at the Arts Festival will be judged by me.
Page 2 of 2, Syllabus: MUSI-2325.001, Beginning Group Voice, Spring 2005, MW 12:30-1:45, JO 2.604 Hoyt Neal, (214)334-5205,

EXAM: There will be one written exam, based on your textbook and lecture material.

GENERAL POLICIES

INCOMPLETE OR MISSED (LATE) Assignments will be subject to a lowering of the grade up to a grade
of “0.” Please review the university catalogue for more information

DROP/WITHDRAWL: If you are unable to complete this course, you must withdraw from it by the final
withdrawal date listed in the college catalogue. If you stop attending class and do not withdraw, you will
fail the course. CENSUS DAY is January 25, 2006. It is the last day to drop a class without a ”W.”
University policy regarding drop and withdrawal has changed, effective Fall 04. This is a dynamic change.
Students should review the requirements in the university catalogue on line.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Student Handbook for specifics regarding academic dishonesty--which includes
cheating and plagiarism: The University may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused
of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to statements, acts, or
omissions related to application for enrollment, the award of a degree, and/or the submission of one’s
own work of material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve one or more of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and falsifying academic records.

• The term “cheating” includes, but is not limited to, (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking
quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by
the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other
assignments; (3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to
a faculty member or staff of the university. If you are uncertain whether or not something constitutes
cheating, ask Professor Neal for clarification.

• The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the
published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment (this includes
information taken from web-sites). It also includes the unacknowledged use of material prepared by
another person or purchased from an agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other
academic materials.

• Penalties: If you engage in academic dishonesty related to this class, you will receive a failing grade
on the test or assignment and you may receive a failing grade in the course. In addition, the case
may be referred to the Dean of students for appropriate disciplinary action.

SPECIAL SERVICES: If you feel you may need an academic adjustment because of any type of physical
disability or learning difference, please talk with the instructor or call the Office of Disability Services at
ext. 6104.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS: Students desiring to observe a religious holiday which will result in a class
absence must notify their instructor in writing and will be required to complete any assignment/exams
which may have been missed.

** All cell phones and pagers must be turned off at the beginning of class. A student facing the possibility
of receiving emergency calls may leave the device on silent or vibrate during class if he/she has
previously informed the teacher.

FINAL THOUGHT: Voice class is an arena for learning to sing. It is a place to ask for assistance, to
learn to give and receive constructive criticism, and to be supportive of the efforts of one another.
It is an opportunity for you to GROW! WORK HARD and ENJOY!