This six credit course is a collaborative music creation experience for composers and singers. This course will be taught in two sections (Section 1: Singers, Section 2: Composers) which will meet separately and as a combined group on a weekly basis. It will be co-taught by Virginia Kelsey and Allen Shawn.
Composers and singers will work together over the course of the semester to create new music for solo voice and small vocal ensemble using various collaborative practices to highlight and celebrate the individualistic nature of the voice. Singers will receive technical vocal instruction and coaching to optimize their interpretation of these new works, and explore a wide range of vocal color and extended techniques. Composers will learn about composing for–and working with–singers, about how to notate their vocal music effectively, about both historical and current approaches to vocal writing, and about effective text setting. Topics covered will include functionality and demystification of the singing voice, analysis of successful and innovative vocal works throughout history, and orchestration for the voice and vocal ensemble.
The course will culminate in a performance and recording of the finished works.
Learning Outcomes:
Strengthening and expanding vocal technique
Development of collaboration and communication skills
Gaining independence in musical/artistic interpretation
Improved literacy of music notation
Increased understanding of the voice and of singing
Improved notation of vocal music, and ability to set texts
An expanded sense of the possibilities of the vocal medium
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites:
At least one semester of a 4000-level voice class such as Intermediate Voice or the Voice Performance Intensive; some fluency in reading notated sheet music is strongly recommended. Audition required - please contact Virginia Kelsey (virginiakelsey@bennington.edu) for details and instructions.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 6
M 1:40PM-5:20PM, Th 1:40PM-3:30PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 5
Course Frequency: One time only
Categories: 4000 , All courses , Composition , Fully In-Person , New Courses , Six Credit , Updates
Tags: art music , composing , Composition , music , singing , vocal music , Voice